> looks to have been made this way.  Almost like somebody didn't get
> around to drilling and tapping a hole for the plug.
> 
> The questions become:
> 
> - does this seem weird to anyone else?
> - why would you want to have such a plate?
> - would there be any harm in replacing it with a normal one (this is
>   probably covered by the answer to the previous question)?

That's how my engine came as well.  No hole in the plate.  I've never 
bothered to get one with a plug in it.  I just undo the 6 studs and 
watch the hot oil run down my arm and splatter all over the place!

- Mike White 

[Mail: mike.white@law.utah.edu   -   mwhite@eng.utah.edu]
Visit my '57 23-Window VW BUS at: [http://cloud8.law.utah.edu/]