Engine Mounts Gusset question
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Engine Mounts Gusset question
I finished gusseting the A-Arm Mounts, and will be working on the engine mounts on my frame. My plans are to build a Big Block for my Vette, so I want to have a really good foundation to support the higher torque.
I was planning to gusset the leading sides of the mounts, but I don't want to run the risk of interfering with the steering linkage. After studying the engine mounts, I was wondering if I made some gusset that would be welded vertically on the underside of the mounts, then a horizontal gusset welded across the bottom of the mounts that I could notch to also weld onto the vertical gusset. Forming a cross on the inside of the engine mounts.
This would create a larger welded area for the mounts to the frame without having the gusset extending away from the mount potentially interfering with linkages or headers.
Any thoughts?
www.bigdogvettes.com
I was planning to gusset the leading sides of the mounts, but I don't want to run the risk of interfering with the steering linkage. After studying the engine mounts, I was wondering if I made some gusset that would be welded vertically on the underside of the mounts, then a horizontal gusset welded across the bottom of the mounts that I could notch to also weld onto the vertical gusset. Forming a cross on the inside of the engine mounts.
This would create a larger welded area for the mounts to the frame without having the gusset extending away from the mount potentially interfering with linkages or headers.
Any thoughts?
www.bigdogvettes.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: I can walk to MA
My thoughts:
First, it seems that the triangular gusset on the outside would
be stronger and disperse the forces over a greater area.
Now, let me see if I understand ....
You are saying that you would place a vertical gusset that is
parallel to the sides of the motor mount bracket ... then
a horizontal section that boxes it in at the bottom ?
Along similar lines, I think it would be stronger to put two pieces
that are diagonal and cross in the middle. This makes for triangular
shapes that are stronger than parallel box shapes. However, this
still doesn't disperse the force over a greater area - so increase
in strength may still be limited.
I have my frame with A-arm gussets - no motor mount gussets.
Also, the steering gear is all installed. I'll try to take a look at it
tonight to see if there are clearance issues. Sorry, but I do not
have my digital camera for the week - so I can't get a picture right now.
First, it seems that the triangular gusset on the outside would
be stronger and disperse the forces over a greater area.
Now, let me see if I understand ....
You are saying that you would place a vertical gusset that is
parallel to the sides of the motor mount bracket ... then
a horizontal section that boxes it in at the bottom ?
Along similar lines, I think it would be stronger to put two pieces
that are diagonal and cross in the middle. This makes for triangular
shapes that are stronger than parallel box shapes. However, this
still doesn't disperse the force over a greater area - so increase
in strength may still be limited.
I have my frame with A-arm gussets - no motor mount gussets.
Also, the steering gear is all installed. I'll try to take a look at it
tonight to see if there are clearance issues. Sorry, but I do not
have my digital camera for the week - so I can't get a picture right now.
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A vertical plate that would be in the middle of the mount that is triangular in shape with the small end at the bottom. The horizontal plate that would be notched and slide onto the first plate. The horizontal plate would be about in the middle of the mount, not covering the bottom. Kind of forming a cross welded on the frame and to the mount at the middle of the mount.
My thought is that it would form a stronger foundation for the mount without having to extend plates away from the mount. Would this work?
Here is the underside of the engine mount on the driver’s side:
This is the underside of the engine mount on the passenger side:
www.bigdogvettes.com
My thought is that it would form a stronger foundation for the mount without having to extend plates away from the mount. Would this work?
Here is the underside of the engine mount on the driver’s side:
This is the underside of the engine mount on the passenger side:
www.bigdogvettes.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
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From: I can walk to MA
That sounds like it would help, but I still think that the extended
gussets would be better since they use more of the siderail for
support. Plus, they attach at the edge - where the siderail is strongest.
gussets would be better since they use more of the siderail for
support. Plus, they attach at the edge - where the siderail is strongest.
Thread Starter
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From: Dickinson (Houston) Texas
Originally Posted by NHvette
That sounds like it would help, but I still think that the extended
gussets would be better since they use more of the siderail for
support. Plus, they attach at the edge - where the siderail is strongest.
gussets would be better since they use more of the siderail for
support. Plus, they attach at the edge - where the siderail is strongest.
Ok, that makes sense!!
So would I weld the gusset from the mount forward as far as there is room? That would be about 1 or 2 inches for the driver's side, and about 3 or 4 inches on the passenger side.
With the gusset on the side, and maybe just box in the mounts flush at the bottom, that may be as strong re-enforcement that may be needed. The vertical gusset would be just extra metal that is not really needed.
www.bigdogvettes.com
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,486
Likes: 10
From: Big Pine Key FL
I looked a this too. The GM power book says to gusset it just like the A arm mounts but I just dont see how that's gonna help with the forces I imagine on the mounts.
I re-welded the mounts as they were very modestly welded from the General
I'm just gonna plate the bottom of the mount with some 1/8th and make a box out of it. It will make the structure more rigid and give another attachment point to the frame.
If I break'em with torque before I break something in the drive line I will be proud !!!
I re-welded the mounts as they were very modestly welded from the General
I'm just gonna plate the bottom of the mount with some 1/8th and make a box out of it. It will make the structure more rigid and give another attachment point to the frame.
If I break'em with torque before I break something in the drive line I will be proud !!!
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: Dickinson (Houston) Texas
Originally Posted by 84rzv500r
I looked a this too. The GM power book says to gusset it just like the A arm mounts but I just dont see how that's gonna help with the forces I imagine on the mounts.
I re-welded the mounts as they were very modestly welded from the General
I'm just gonna plate the bottom of the mount with some 1/8th and make a box out of it. It will make the structure more rigid and give another attachment point to the frame.
If I break'em with torque before I break something in the drive line I will be proud !!!
I re-welded the mounts as they were very modestly welded from the General
I'm just gonna plate the bottom of the mount with some 1/8th and make a box out of it. It will make the structure more rigid and give another attachment point to the frame.
If I break'em with torque before I break something in the drive line I will be proud !!!
I just could not undestand how a small gusset plate would really add strength to an area where there is the most pressure..... that is directly influenced by the engine torque. I had a 1st gen Camaro that had a 427 and busted the rubber engine mounts one after another. I then built a steel mount for it and did not have a problem with a busted mount since. It shook the whole car, but that was OK with me.
I have decided to just box in the bottom of the Vette mount, and will also be proud if that breaks before anything in the driveline!!
Long live Big Block torque!!
www.bigdogvettes.com
