[Glenn Thoreson]

I installed a '53 Mercury engine in my '42 tudor and had clearance problems with the tie rod rubbing on the 8RT oil pan I used. Solution: used a '37 pitman arm. Good to go.
If the tie rod touches the oil pan it's a very dangerous situation. When you hit a dip in the road, the axle & tie rod goes up and the frame/engine goes down, putting pressure on the pan and tie rod. That will hinder the ability to steer the car and could break something or cause serious damage. Possibly to the driver, too.