I have a DAE or 1970's vintage block, and will be using a mechanical pump and eccentric. I just bought a book to help me through the assembly process and it mentions that the
oil slinger keeps
oil off of the front seal to prevent leaks. The shop I bought the short block from is non committal on this theory and points out that Ford discontinued the use of the slinger after 1979. If there is even a small chance that it might help I am willing to use one, but I can't find one anywhere. If the slinger is sandwiched between the damper and the bottom sprocket, and the slinger is not used, what holds the sprocket in place?