[arntztype4]

chuck,
as per the first reply, i have never had any problems with the small ear you are talking about! as a matter of fact, when i owned a wrecking yard years ago, i took an old fe block and wailed on this ear with a sledge, because like you, i was concerned with its strength. after a few hard hits, the block actually broke up high where the metal was much thicker! i have had a complete 427 bolted in these places, without a bit of trouble.