Purpose of Wedge Seal on Oil Pan (and how to install) 4.0 OHV?

[MattinEugene]

The oil pan gasket I have has two little ears that go down in by the sides of the main bearing cap. These ears are part of the rubber that seals around the main bearing cap. But the engine gasket kit also includes a "wedge seal" that it says to use in addition. It's a long semicircle made out of what might be considered zip tie material, and it fits over the cap and its wide ends wedge down beside the cap. The kit instructions say to use the wedge seal and then the gasket, as does my Chilton's. Seems like if I use the white plastic wedge seal, the ears on the gasket won't fit (the ears of the gasket won't go down in the holes beside the bearing cap). Any thoughts on this? I've contacted that maker of the gasket and they were no help (Enginetech, FYI).

Thanks!

 

[barbaroja]

The oil pan gasket I have has two little ears that go down in by the sides of the main bearing cap. These ears are part of the rubber that seals around the main bearing cap. But the engine gasket kit also includes a "wedge seal" that it says to use in addition. It's a long semicircle made out of what might be considered zip tie material, and it fits over the cap and its wide ends wedge down beside the cap. The kit instructions say to use the wedge seal and then the gasket, as does my Chilton's. Seems like if I use the white plastic wedge seal, the ears on the gasket won't fit (the ears of the gasket won't go down in the holes beside the bearing cap). Any thoughts on this? I've contacted that maker of the gasket and they were no help (Enginetech, FYI).

Thanks!

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