What is this?
Man, this heads/cam swap is getting more exciting every minute..

Anyway - some of you may know one of my headers has a hole in it and they are starting to get some minor surface rust so I am going to pull them and either a.) have them recoated or b.) pick up some stainless headers.. Probably stainless..
Anyway, in trying to remove the header on the drivers side the header is not wanting to come out.. We are baffled by why we were able to slide it in, but cannot slide it out..
Anyway, it looks like it is hitting the "tab" on the block and another piece, directly above the oil filter..
I am planning on grinding down the tab on the block but if I can unbolt the piece directly above the oil filter, I think I may gain some more room..
I don't want to unbolt it without knowing what it is, what is behind it, etc..
Anyway here is the part:
It is the piece directly above the oil filter with two bolts going into it..

Anyone know what this is?
What is going to happen when I remove it?
Will I need a new gasket for this part?
Thanks guys!
I just want to try and remove it to get the header out and then replace it.. I obviously wouldn't try to start the car with it off the car...
Yes, I have removed the steering knuckle.. I have no idea why we can't get this thing out of the car...
I'm not planning on starting the car with it removed..
Why would I do that? I just want to remove it, slip the header out, slide the new headers in.. I was going to remove it tonight, but I've learned my lesson in the past about just getting ***** nilly and unbolting things.. I always unbolt the part with the springs and gears and they all fall out into the floor on me..
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a.) You don't know what it is for sure.
b.) I may be ok removing it, I may not..
c.) I needed a better answer..

When someone recommends chopping on the block (albeit an assembly part that is not needed, nor harmful to remove) versus removing 2 - 12mm bolts, I have to question if said person knows exactly what they are talking about..
There is a lot of garbage and misinformation that floats around the internet.. Before I start futzing with something *I* am personally unfamiliar with, I like to get familiar..
b) - There is not springs, gears or anything behind it. your safe to remove and re-install
c) - nothing else to be worry about..
If you grind that part that sticks out. be careful the you don't go to far, you might break into the oil passage of the plate... more people drill and tap this part to put a aftermarket Oil gauge/sender on.. I have done this. Just search and you will find many have done this and pictures on what it looks like to do it.
(and don't ask how I know about how long it take to empty the oil out !)






