What is the correct term for this?

Anyway, here is a repair question. The firebox is supported by a sliding surface for expansion. There is a bronze surface on the frame, and a steel shoe on the mudring. The original installation was threaded into the mudring with countersunk bolts. The threads were deteriorated and someone has suggested to drill out the threads (already done), and put the shoe in loose with pins for alignment in the holes.

Is this going to work? My feeling is it was originally bolted for a reason.

When you lift the boiler on to the frame they won't drop off the mud ring if they are screwed into place. Other than that, probably once squeezed between the frame and mud ring the pins should prevent them from sliding out sideways......

As the boiler moves, the plate will likely be able to shift slightly because it won't be possible to make the pins that tight of a fit. Over time, the plate will start to oval the holes and wear into the mudring. Making the boiler into a wear part like that just seems like a bad idea

I have most often heard these items referred to as furnace bearers. mld