I'm in the process installing a new oil pan gasket on my 1968 Polara with a 383. Fyi, I've got a 187 type pan. There are two brackets that run from the back part of the pan flange to the front cover of the bellhousing. Since both of them are cracked in two (see pic). I'm wondering how necessary they are. It's not something i typically see on other vehicles either. This further makes me want to delete them. Any ideas on there necessity?