Racin_Jason Posted May 24, 2002 Share Posted May 24, 2002 Hi all, Welp I've came along way with my 240. Got the 355 built along with a 700R4 and dropped them between the framerails only to find out theres a problem. The engine mounts where fabbed and welded to the crossmember by the previous owner (was Chevy V8 car before i got it). He had a 400sbc in it and "said" he was using 70's el camino mounts. Well upon dropping my 355 in there I realized that the mounts i had bought didnt line up. With one side bolted to the crossmember mount...the other side missed the hole by about 3/4"-1". The motor mounts holes were to wide a pattern for the crossmember mounts. Since this issue arose, I've been to many parts stores and lastly a mega warehouse where i went through every 3-bolt style Chevy engine mount they had to find what i needed...to no avail. They ALL had the frameside mounting point holes in the same location in relation to the block mounting holes. I even tryed to find a mount that had enough meat around the holes to elongate them just enough to make it work...strike 2. Thats where you guys come in...to clear my cluttered path and save the day. (prays for the answer..) I've made a webpage with pics and some descriptions so there is no confusion on the problem. http://www.jasonshobbyshowcase.homestead.com/240problems.html There are several large pics so it may take a bit to load for you modem folks. Please help a Z nut solve his problem...I'm about to loose it! THANKS! Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
labrat Posted May 24, 2002 Share Posted May 24, 2002 Maybe, just maybe, you're going at this the wrong way. Instead of looking for a new mount on the engine, can you modify the mounting point for the mount on the chassis side? It looked like there was a long bolt on the mount in the close up picture. I know that 1972 chevy truck motor mounts use a thru hole and mount with one bolt from the bottom (into the center of the mount rather than perpendicular to it). Maybe you can cut/grind the ears off of the chassis side mounts, drill a hole through the framehorn for the mounting bolt to come up through, then use spacers between the truck motor mounts and block to get the geometry just right. It looks like you have the room to do this. This is what i had to do to put a 350 in my 81 ZX (the jtr manual didn't quite cover this part...). I wish I had some pics, but if you look at the mounts i'm talkig about, you'll see what needs to be done. Or, if you're good at welding, you can always relocate the chassis side of that mount 1/2 in outward/upwards. That would seem to be the easiest route of all. Anyway, good luck! Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBSRace1 Posted May 24, 2002 Share Posted May 24, 2002 I went threw a simialar problem a few uears ago putting a 350 in a Toyota. I am not sure about the Napa numbers but the AutoValue # is a 31-2308HD. They came on 70-74 Corvette with a 454 I think it will work for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted May 24, 2002 Share Posted May 24, 2002 Hey Jason, I think you are looking for the clamshell style mounts. They are intended to be used with a "biscuit" style rubber isolator. Your setup shows a welded piece where the isolator would normally go, so you may have to go solid mount until you can work out the details. I have pix in the details section of my site (link in signature). I believe mine are from a '78 El Camino and I know my old '72 truck had them. Mind you that mine is a ZX, but it still should be relevant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 24, 2002 Share Posted May 24, 2002 Racin_Jason excellent pictures your problem is easily solved with a welder, just cut and move the frame mounted engine mount possition, that should take less than 1/2 hour but try this first, measure how far apart the engine mount holes need to be then pull that engine and put a hydrolic jack between the mounts and see if theres enough (give/slack) to spread them apart about 3/8"-1/2", theres no differance in a 350 engine and a 400 engine as far as mounts go so if a sbc was mounted there a sbc should go back in , if there is enough slack /give your mounts or frame might have shifted or be weakly mounted/welded. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted May 24, 2002 Share Posted May 24, 2002 Here is som additional info. Apparently there are two different sizes of the mounts you currently have. There is a tall and and a short style. If you have the tall, then the short ones may allow the motor to align better. Here is a link to some dimensions: http://www.energysuspension.com/prod1.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racin_Jason Posted May 25, 2002 Author Share Posted May 25, 2002 Jeez, thanks for the quick responses. I'm not sure the problem has been solved yet,tho. I'll go over each reply one by one. Labrat~ Modifying the existing mounts is an option, although I know nothing about welding nor do i have a welder. Also one key point is the previous owner had a SBC in the car and was using a "mystery mount" that worked. My best outcome is to find this mount and bolt it right up with no hassle. Your idea sounds doable tho and will be on the plate of consideration for plan B. JBSRace1~ Could the Vette BBC mounts be the mount i need?? Do you know if they are shorter, or have the holes located where i need them to be, by chance? I guess I can make one more trip and ask for the mounts to that Vette and compare. hmm.. Greimann~ I thought maybe the clamshells were my saving grace also. Like you said, I wouldn't be able to use the frameside part like you used..so I would only be using the engine mount piece. Looking at your pics it sure looks like your mount is atleast as tall as mine are, if not taller...but is the bolt hole offset?? Looks like maybe it is! Hard to tell. Wish i could poke my tape measure through the monitor and measure it But whats the width of the mount ears? Mine are 2 5/8"...hmm maybe another trip to the parts store. Also...regarding the two sizes of mounts you linked to...I measured and i already have the shorter one, but nice try! Grumpy~ I agree with you, as usual, completely. But, i cant weld and dont have access to a welder nor someone competant to use it(short of towing the car toa welder). The spreading idea seems alittle scary. No chance of this permanently altering thigs like toe or alignment? As weak as these Datsuns are, I would imagine it wouold indeed spread. Could this guy have SPREAD the framerails with a jack and dropped the engine in that way?? I can try it and see what happens, if theres no risk or damaging the car. Still seems to me that i just have the wrong mounts because he had a 400 in it...and all he did was pull it and sell me the rolling chassis. I'm still on the hunt for the right mount fellas. I sure hope someone has the answer for the easy fix, since welding will require that i rebuild the suspension JUST to tow the car for a 30 minutes weld job Has to be an easy explaination...I'll kee p watching this post. ALL IDEAS ARE APPRECIATED THANKS ALL!!!!!!! Jason Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grumpyvette Posted May 25, 2002 Share Posted May 25, 2002 http://www.chassisengineeringinc.com/engine_mounts.htm look this over Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 I tried a little photopaint photogrametry to illustrate how my mount would look on your car. The picture below has my mount superimposed on your engine. If you had both styles on each side, I think it would work, but it still would be solid mount. Is that what the previous owner had? http://home.earthlink.net/~dvgreimann/largeimages/jasonmount.jpg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racin_Jason Posted May 26, 2002 Author Share Posted May 26, 2002 desperate bump Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racin_Jason Posted May 26, 2002 Author Share Posted May 26, 2002 Is it just me or does the mocked picture here loook to be the same offset position as my mount? I was hopin that was the answer but that pic doesnt look even close to lineing up. But THX very much for the effort you put in to see if it would work. I tell ya we have the best members on this forum compared to any ive ever been on...and thas quite a few. ANY OTHER IDEAS FELLAS...i wanna drive my 420HP Z! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted May 26, 2002 Share Posted May 26, 2002 It is tough to illustrate, but what I was trying to do was show that the bolt hole on my mount is located where you illustrate you need one. From what I understand in your picture, the right side motor mount is bolted to the car and the left side (shown) shows the hole too high and wide. Imagine if you had two clam shell mounts, the distance between the two mounting holes would be narrower and the bolt in my cludged picture would be close to aligning. I suspect that the previous owner ran a solid mount so that makes your options pretty clear. 1. Find some clam shell mounts and run a solid mount (not the best idea in my opinion.) 2. Cut away what is in the car and start over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JBSRace1 Posted May 27, 2002 Share Posted May 27, 2002 The cross hole on the corvette mnt I told you about above is a little over 1" above the bottom bolt. I belive that it would work for you. If you have a part store that keeps alot of older parts see if they have one that you can look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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