Skid plate

[Todd]

I heard it's pretty easy to knock the oil pump off if you hit something with the oil pan. Are you guys using a skid plate to prevent this?

[azygoustoyou]

If anyone has a good design of a skid plate that would protect the oil pan, I would like to know also. THX

[rlux4]

I had a '79 Spider when I got married in 1980 (to the best wife I ever had). On our wedding day my bride was driving the car and going into a shopping center parking lot, hit the oil pan on the high point of the parking lot entrance ramp. Now, she knows diddly about cars, but something told her to top off the oil. She put in a quart and that was enough to raise it up to where the pick up tube had broken off. I was able to drop the pan, replace the broken part, pound out the dent, and it was good to go. Anyway, to get to the point, here is a link to a skid plate that Vick's carries:

http://www.vickauto.com/cgi-bin/store/54-0300.html

We're still married by the way, probably because she didn't destroy the Spider.

[mbouse]

yes


yes


vick auto (oil pan guard is what they call it)

[Jazgeek]

I have that exact plate... it looks a bit funny from the front as you can see that bar... but it sure beats destroying your oil pickup and frying your lower end.

[mbouse]

the bottom side of mine always shows bright steel, little rust. I can't keep a coat of paint on it. so, it is definitely doing its job.

[pauljdav]

I just got one off Ebay for 30 bucks that bolted right on. I do not know the brand or make but here is a pic of it.

http://i3.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/e2/b8/b07b_1.JPG

The front clamps go around the sway bar.

Paul

[mbouse]

how does the back bolt on?

and, that does not look substantial enough to prevent a oil pan and pump from being shoved up into the bottom of the block. barely looks as thick as the oil pan itself. looks more like a dust shield

[pauljdav]

There are 2 bolt holes on the skid plate that are just past the back of the main support so I made a bracket to fit on the lip of the support in the back and tightened it up. It seems to work fine, but I am going to make a better bracket that fits tight to the main support.

I did not want to drill into the support bracket.

Paul

[pauljdav]

Actually it is very solid. I would not jack the car up with it, but it will certainly be solid enough to protect the oil pan.

Paul