Can you raise the front end an inch or so with ball joint extensions/stiffer springs and gain a little space between the tie-rod and pan? It seems that the after market "original" isn't so original with the same dimensions as the factory huh?. I or maybe you have already though about other options than having to pull the engine when the pan already has a good seal on it. dangit!
I can feel your frustration as if it happened to me.
