I wanted to post this in here, since most of you guys have a 13B-REW in your FD.

I've followed many threads with people using a brace to help prevent/stop oil pan leaks. These type of braces seem to have a good rep.

David Garfinkle (GARCO MOTORWORKS) is willing to make an oil pan brace, I know this part will be awesome! If we can get 10 people to sign up, we can get this part for close to $100.

Here is a link to the group buy interest thread. If you have a leaking pan or a motor on a stand...you want this piece.
https://www.rx7club.com/group-buy-center-69/interest-garfinkles-oil-pan-brace%3B-13b-rew-612141/


these are a couple of good reads about oil pan braces
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/mythbusters-time-oil-pan-motor-mounts-488739/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/engine-oil-pan-brace-worth-%24%24%24-495075/

these are some thread showing off Garfinkle parts
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/my-modified-y-pipe-done-garfinkle-375981/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/i-just-got-garfinkle-torque-brace-must-have-264338/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/garfinkle-front-cover-399409/
just search Garfinkle and you'll be pleased.

and his personal car
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/updated-pics-garfinkles-car-372901/

 

i was going to post something just to alert 3rd gen leakers, like me, as to The Garc's oil pan girdle.

i did the Ito deal w the centerpunch, had the motor upside down on the stand, absolutely spic and span, used my fav RTV, let it cure for a week and had no leaks for about a month. two years in a row.

grrr. the last straw.

i am planning to use Permatex's The Right Stuff this year but will add Garc's brace and we will see what happens. check out the group buy interest section for details.

howard coleman

 

So far so good for me, I dimpled the block and pan. Cleaned and recleaned the block and pan with acetone over about a weeks time (before I dimpled it). It seemed to me the irons hold oil (porous i guess). Make sure you trim the front cover gasket flush! I used Honda bond witch cost around $13 bucks. No gasket, and torqued to factory specs including the engine mounts. Let it sit several days on the stand the longer the better. No leaks so far in six plus months.

Terry7

 

interesting...

i dimpled the pan and block and had it very clean etc. it appears the only difference was the sealer. i wouldn't be surprised if your hondabond made the diff v my rtv. i plan to use The Right Stuff this go-around... along w garfink's brace.

howard

 

My pan and front cover are sealed up with Hondabond; no gaskets. Absolutely no leaks for a couple years now.

 

Hondabond is the way to go.

 

thanks... i will do the hondabond.

hc

 

Do you have a pictue? I cant find one in any of the threads you mention. Thanks.

 

sorry no picture to post yet, but it will basically look like a 3/16" thick steel oil pan gasket. This piece goes on the outside of the pan, and sandwiches the pan to the block.

 

I'd also like to see a picture. I can't really picture what the brace looks like. Could you describe exactly how it helps with sealing also.

 

It looks like this:

Gotham Racing Oil Pan Brace

It helps the sealing by spreading out the pressure from the bolts/nut and by bracing the pan to reduce flexing as the engine twists.

 

the pan is sheet metal...and the flange around the block is "influenced" easily



I tried to illustrate with this diagram...side view

you can see the flimsy sheet metal oil pan flange on the sides.

when you bolt this brace to the block, it will spread the load of the fasteners in a much better fashion.

does this make more sense?

 

I use Honda Bond as well ,the dry or set up time is three days .If the customer does not have three days to let the car sit then I will not do the job .

 

Ahh Thanks the diagram makes it a lot more clear and it makes sense. I just bought Hondabond about 20 mins. ago. It would be a good time to put in a stud kit also.

 

So the engine would sit a little higher (the thickness of the brace)? And I'm guessing I wouldn't need longer motor mount bolts also.

 

Yes, but its negligible.

I'm not sure how thick Garfinkle's going to be compared to Gotham's brace, but with Gotham's brace you do need new/longer bolts for the mounts.

 

I suppose this is another solution

 

Ahh... Thats what i thought it would look like. I will make one in the waterjet tomorrow... Is 5mm too thick?

 

Is that so ? I used the engine mount original bolts and everything went together just fine , I only changed the oil pan bolts to studs .

 

The stock bolts will thread into the block with the Gotham brace installed. However, IMO (and Gotham's as well), there are not enough threads into the block to be safe so they recommend longer bolts (which I also agree).

I did use the stock bolts when I sealed the pan as Gotham sent me the wrong upgraded bolts. Once the pan was sealed, I replaced them with longer bolts from McMasters.

 

Garfinkle plans to make one 4.762 mm (3/16")

 

Ok, thanks.

$100 is a good price but im from Sweden so i guess the shipping will make it very expensive. Have to make a drawing now...

 

^keep us updated

 

I would use longer bolts for the motor mounts . I may supply the bolts if the cost of materals is good .We will see as this progresses .A stud kit is over kill and may make the pan hard to put in place if the studs are to long and the oil pick up tube is in the way . Hold your money untill all the info is in .This project should not take long to complete .

 

We just need two more people to make 10 and get a great price...cross fingers for fasteners INCLUDED!!

*EDIT: ****, nevermind...WE GOT TEN!!