The thing that the water pump bolts onto

I don't think I ever did any work up there without dropping the front of the pan 1/2 inch. Even without my 'studs' it was a ***** to get the timing cover down on the buttoned up oil pan. I suppose you could draw it down with the 2 end bolts but much easier to just slide it on, bolt it down and then cinch up the oil pan bolts.