Sump gasket

Alright, I was under the car last night and noticed some suspicious rubbery sealant stuff around the sump gasket, I'm thinking I'll replace it with the proper item and clean up faces etc.

I've had a search on ebay but can't find a 1.7 - specific sump gasket. I've found ones for 1.4 and 1.6, but I'm not sure if 1.7 is 'special' in any way.

If anyone knows the part number I'll have a search for it.

Are they a common failure point?

What do yo mean by sump gasket? Sump uses sealant during assembly and that is it. No additional gasket of any kind below engine

Ah - that would explain it. The sealant is coming away from the joint where sump meets bottom end of block - I assumed this was a previous bodge but it seems like it's factory intent...

The original sealant is white, pretty shabby job too with alot of over application. I suggest getting fords own black sealant, its one of the best I have ever used and we order it for every sump.

Yes it indeed is massively overapplied... The same effect could have been achieved with half of the ammount they have used