Finding the right oil pan

[PanhandleJeepin]

My experience is rather low with vehicle maintenance but I wanted to learn so I bought a 83 CJ7 with an AMC straight 6 to tinker with and learn the ropes. I recently replaced the rear main seal and noticed the oil pan was missing 3 bolts on the driver side. Upon further inspection I realized that the holes on the pan didn't line up with the holes on the engine. Only 3 all the others are perfect. I had ordered the Fel-pro blue rubber gasket for the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l and it lined up with the pan. Just out of curiosity I picked up the Fel-pro cork gasket which came with 2 different pieces for that side, one fits pan and one fits engine. I figure it is one of two things, the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l has some years with a slightly different bolt pattern or it's not a AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l . The box for the cork gasket says it fits AMC 232 i6 , 242(4.0l), and AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l (AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l ). The only markings I can find on the engine is a metal tag just below the alternator (pic attached), but I have yet to find any information. I have read that it may be hard to tell the difference visually and from the 82 CJ7 AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l my friend has the engine is identical (with the exception of the power brakes). I'm hoping someone on here has experienced or heard of this before and can save me any more headache. Any tricks you may have for this amateur to get the correct part would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Torxhead]

Does this appear to be an aftermarket pan? I would think you could even drill and tap some new holes in the block if need be.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

:ww:

If aftermarket(Crown or Omix) I'm surprised it's only 3.
How far off is this hole alignment? Can you use a round file and elongate the pan's holes some?
LG

 

[PanhandleJeepin]

At first I thought it was probably the pan, but when the fel-pro one piece rubber gasket fit the pan perfectly I started to wonder. Then when the 4 piece cork gasket had 2 separate pieces for that side, one fitting the engine and one fitting the pan I started looking more into what pan the cork gasket was designed to fit. Since I get blank stares at all the auto parts stores when I ask about it I knew it wasn't going to be easy. I could probably order a pan for each of the engines listed on the box and return the ones that don't work but don't really want to do that. I was able to hold the pan in place with the 4 corner bolts and get a punch in from the top to mark the pan and then drill it out. Two of the holes I drilled are within a quarter of an inch from original and one is right up against the original. I'm thinking I can fill the original holes with some JB weld or some gasket maker to keep it from leaking.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Lot easier to re-drill the pan.
LG

 

[Belizean]

Some people just like a good challenge