taco plate WTF?

[airkooledchris]

this was hiding under the taco place of my 79 bay....
pulling out the screws that held the taco plate in place had little metal shavings on it, and the bowel of the plate was encrusted with sludge...

is this a known or common modification that is made, or some crazy PO idea?

I tried searching around a bit, but you would be shocked to know what happens when you google 'funky taco plate'

[airkooledchris]

I got the other case down and took a look at the taco plate there... not quite as modified, but you can tell this one was also messed around with a bit:




im just not sure if it's a situation where someone was trying to fix a damaged case, or if this somehow helps with the flow of the oil and is a 'known' modification during a case overhaul.

[Westy78]

It's a known mod to help with oil flow. I
think it might be on Ratwell's site somewhere if I remember correctly.

[Sluggo]

Okay? I'm confused. How exactly does that help with flow? Does it affect pressure?

[Amskeptic]

I think that is factory, folks. Look at the millions of machine "ball peen" hits along the radius in the upper photograph. I believe it is there to allow the dipstick/Porsche 914 oil temp sender to get a decent read, and to keep enough circulation to not allow the taco plate to become a sludge repository.
Colin

[Westy78]

That may be factory cut. I can't remember what mine looked like. I do know I've read of people opening that area further to help the oil flow (I think it was flow. Can't remember for sure). Don't know if it makes much of a difference but that area is right before the pump intake.

[Amskeptic]

That may be factory cut. I can't remember what mine looked like. I do know I've read of people opening that area further to help the oil flow (I think it was flow. Can't remember for sure). Don't know if it makes much of a difference but that area is right before the pump intake.

It is entirely independent of the pressurised oil flow. It is merely sump swamp. People may open them up to get their oil temp senders more informed of the actual oil temperatures circulating nearby.
Next time I clean the inside, I will photograph the BobD's taco plate area.
Colin

[Westy78]

That may be factory cut. I can't remember what mine looked like. I do know I've read of people opening that area further to help the oil flow (I think it was flow. Can't remember for sure). Don't know if it makes much of a difference but that area is right before the pump intake.

It is entirely independent of the pressurized ( ) oil flow. It is merely sump swamp. People may open them up to get their oil temp senders more informed of the actual oil temperatures circulating nearby.
Next time I clean the inside, I will photograph the BobD's taco plate area.
Colin

Maybe that's what I read. All I remember for sure is someone opening that area up for one reason or another. I do remember the "chewed up" look that area on my engine had. Not a smooth machined surface.