What are these oil pan side pieces for?

Ok this is a good question.  That is part of a metal strip that goes Around the outside edges of the oil pan this was to prevent dimpling of the oil pan and gasket distortion by evening pressure of the bolts.  The little metal piece on the side is where the exhaust runs so it is basically a small heat shield.  

Edited October 3, 20213 yr by AZDatsun

You'll find half the pan bolts are taller too. They go through the 2 pieces.

20 hours ago, AZDatsun said:

 That is part of a metal strip that goes Around the outside edges of the oil pan this was to prevent dimpling of the oil pan and gasket distortion by evening pressure of the bolts.

Wow.. i did this last saterday on my L28 and i used a liquid sealer to seal the pan.. Also torqed the little bolts with just 10-15 Nm as they don't need much and you can indeed distort the pan easely.

20 hours ago, AZDatsun said:

The little metal piece on the side is where the exhaust runs so it is basically a small heat shield.  

I did ask myself what it was now i know! Thanks!!