2000 4.0. On the back of the oil pan there is a horseshoe looking seal that bolts up with the oil pan. It goes around that dip in the oil pan on the back. It has two bolts and looks like a thick seal or some kind.

 

That would be your rear main seal...

 

Yerp

 

A picture might be nice. Sounds like you are describing the rear section of the oil pan gasket. (That comes down around the "cap" containing the RM seal.)

Tapered ears that fit over/to the two flat gaskets that run front to back?

Well, wait, two bolts? So you removed the rear main bearing? Then yes, that would be the seal.

 

I know what you're talking about. Not the RMS. That said, I have no frickin' idea what it's called.

 

Exactly. When you look it the Haynes manual under oil pan removal it doesn't mention it.

 

I lost it so no picture. Its not the main bearing. Its external of the oil pan. It has tabs on the ends with bolt holes in them. Thick rubber on the body of the horseshoe.

 

Yeah. And it makes it a bear to get the two rear bolts out of the oil pan.

 

It's called an Engine Oil Pan Support.

OEM P/N J3243116

A monkey would know that.

 

I've snugged my fasteners, been there, but I didn't notice anything unusual, not to say there isn't one on my 90.

 

I sure as **** don't have one on my 94...

 

It came with one from the factory

 

I could find it in the parts catalogs going back to 1984. Same OEM part number.

Dealer part.

 

I believe it! Better weather I'd just go look, (slushn'/gravel today). Curious myself now. Metal would have suitable tensile cohesion to maintain a solid "sling", but expansion from heat, then extreme cold? Tough to swallow that they added something more elastic?. (I mean the idea).

 

Oooh-Ooooh!!!