People with main bearing girdle. Any issues connecting the lower bell housing bolts?

[1NaudiA4]

I spoke with my engine builder today and he was just finishing up machining the spacers to fit the main bearing girdle. He also said that it would lower the oil pan about a 1/4" . Are there going to be any issues connecting the oil pan to the bell housing?

[pac1085]

I don't have a girdle, but that would definitely throw it off. I and many others did not put those bolts back in, they are a PITA to install/remove and I don't see how they help support anything.

[bassed]

Nope they won't line up, it's normal with a girdle. That's how mine is, as well.

[Nebone]

That 1/4 inch might bring the pan awfully close to the subframe.

[STASIK A4]

Mine didnt line up..... but i took some time and made them line up...

[A4Rob]

You will need to cut room for the bolts. I have already tried

[1NaudiA4]

I remember that they were pretty much impossible to remove unless I had an offset wrench.

So whats the consensus? Cut to make room or just leave them out?

[STASIK A4]

I remember that they were pretty much impossible to remove unless I had an offset wrench.

So whats the consensus? Cut to make room or just leave them out?

Cut more room.... its only 3 you have to do....

[HORROR BUSINESS]

Those bolts are hell. I left them out

[A4 TSCHUSS]

Those bolts are easy to get to, undo the motor mounts (1 nut on each mount) and just jack up your engine a few inches and there is tons of room to get to those bottom bolts.

[bassed]

Those bolts are easy to get to, undo the motor mounts (1 nut on each mount) and just jack up your engine a few inches and there is tons of room to get to those bottom bolts.

Not when running a girdle. It's not a 1/8" drop of the pan it's about a 1/2" and you go talk to anyone who's built one with a girdle, they don't line up.

[A4 TSCHUSS]

im not talking about bolts lineing up. They were saying those bottom bolts are hard to get to which they are extremely hard if you dont jack up your engine. If you do what I said then you could have like 4" down there to play with if you wanted.

[Wizard-of-OD]

Ok,
the girdle lowers the oil pan a 1/4".Nothing else is affected so simply get a drill and machine out the holes a 1/4" moving upwards towards the hood of the car.I have done this about 4 times now.You will also need to machine the oil pan to clearance the 2 rear main stud nuts.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3335766&page=5

[1NaudiA4]

Ok,
the girdle lowers the oil pan a 1/4".Nothing else is affected so simply get a drill and machine out the holes a 1/4" moving upwards towards the hood of the car.I have done this about 4 times now.You will also need to machine the oil pan to clearance the 2 rear main stud nuts.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=3335766&page=5

Are you sure I'm going to need to have the oil pan clearanced for the 2 rear main stud nuts? It looks like thats not an AEB oil pan on that thread in vortex.

[STASIK A4]

You will also need to machine the oil pan to clearance the 2 rear main stud nuts.

Depends on how thick the walls of the sump are around the 2 bolts location you might end up with 2 holes there and then you will need to get the area around there welded back up and start again.... I had to do that as i found out, not a big deal but i wasnt happy at the time.. but its all about tial and error and learning things...