Engine mounts

[Mike Stevens]

I'm almost ready to re-install the engine and gearbox, but I'm not sure which side of the welded-in mounts the rubber engine mounts fit.

I have new engine mounts (plain and voided) already fitted to the bits that bolt to the block, which are cleaned and painted, but I'm not sure which side of the part that is welded to the chassis the mounts bolt to - in front of it or behind?

I know it will become obvious when I have it all suspended on the engine crane and I'm grovelling under the car, but it would be nice to know beforehand! Looking at the witness marks on the old mounts would suggest that they fit behind the chassis mounts, but....

Thanks!

Cheers,
Mike.

[jleyton]

Hi Mike,

I went through this quandary only the other day with a friend's car !

The engine mount definitely sits IN FRONT of the bracket on the chassis leg. We found it fairly easy to line up the holes ... but then the fun started. Getting the bolts in, especially the right hand ones, is a pig, I'm afraid.

The bolts should point forwards with the nuts at the front of the car. I found it was easiest by using some 2" long bolts to get things lined up and then replaced them with the correct bolts. However you really do need two people to do it.

Having said all that, it is do-able and I suspect you'll do it in 10 minutes and wonder what the hell I'm going on about.

Good luck.

Cheers

Julian

[Mike Stevens]

Hi Julian,

Thanks indeed for that. I have had a brief look in the manuals but not an exhaustive one yet.

I am just refitting the short block so I'm hoping I will have more room to work, but....!

How's the overheating issue? Sorted yet? Looking through my stock of bits, I have found a pair of new head gaskets, so hopefully one less thing to buy. I don't know the make but I would have bought them years ago and they are black in colour.

As I said, I'm hoping the engine and 'box will go back in this weekend. A few more things to clean up/paint and it'll be ready. I hope.

18 weeks this coming Friday....

Cheers,
Mike.

[jleyton]

Hi Mike

18 weeks and counting...........

Re my overheating, I've just put the inlet manifold on (which I shouldn't have taken off so hastily ) to start the old girl up again and do some proper tests.

Just one thing re your engine mounts. You know how sometimes you say something and then have second thoughts ? Well, when we were doing my friends car we had a look at mine and, as I said, the rubber engine mountings sat in front of the chassis mounting and so that's how we fitted his. Now I've just had a thought that on my car the fan runs VERY close to the rad so I'm just beginning to wonder if my engine is too far forward and whether the mounts should be behind the chassis points . Sorry to throw you in to confusion although I'm still 90% certain that what I said was correct.

Good luck anyway.

Cheers

Julian

[Firept]

Mike.
As I am hoping to do the same job this weekend I am 99% certain they go in front of the chassis mounts I dont think they will fit behind the mounts as there is a small fillet strengthening rib across the top of the chassis mount which would make it impossible to "drop" the engine in.
I will check mine again tomorrow and let you know.
I also checked which way up the mounts go as the mounting holes on the rubber mounts are sloped.
Now the problem I have is that I have put the bolts for the engine mounts somewhere safe in a bag marked engine mounting bolts but dammed if I can find them. I'm sure the wife's been in and tidy them away.

Just checked the photos on my album and you can still see the imprint of the old mounts on the front of the chassis mounts.
Spent a day getting the old Ziebart off the engine bay, paint brush cleaner works a treat after the welding I will have to spray the engine compartment.
Paul.

[jleyton]

Phew ! Thanks Paul. There was me beginning to think I was going to have to take my engine out for a minute !

Cheers

Julian

[Mike Stevens]

Since Julian's post yesterday I have found a picture in the Haynes manual that shows them in front. It's a bit difficult to see, but if the thing in front of the mount is the alternator rear cover, then, yes, they go in front.

If one fitted them behind, then the whole lot would be ~0.5" further back and would have knock-on effects on the gearbox mounts and prop length.

Paul, I too have everything labelled up in boxes, tins, drawers and plastic bags. I found all the engine mountings (those 8 that go into the block, 4 of 2 different lengths) but I cannot find the ones that fit the mounts to the chassis! It was rather a long time ago that I took them out (probably 15 years +) and nothing has left the garage, but... Still, they are only 3/8 UNF x 1.5" I think, so I found some in the '9/16' drawer. (9/16" is the spanner size!)

I had left the old mounts on the metal parts, so I marked them up with the sloping holes before dismantling, cleaning and painting. Then I re-fitted them as before. I think it's with the slotted holes going out and down....

Good luck with the engine re-fit. I'm hoping mine goes Ok too, but I don't have the heads on so it might be a bit easier!

Cheers,
Mike.