PITA: Engine Mounts
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 324
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
PITA: Engine Mounts
So, finally reached the point of re-installing the engine I built. Dropping in via Happy Hooker, of course. FYI, I did NOT drop the transmission, otherwise a completely different story.
Installing engine mounts turned into the nasty. The driver side was annoying but got it done, since I could see what I was doing. However, the passenger side was a whole different mess due to the hydraulic crane holding up the engine. No way I can stick my head under there to see anything. I managed to get the top front bolt in, since I can see it. The other two, not done yet, after a couple of hours.
Looking for tidbits to get this done!
Can I stick the cross bolts in each mount, then drop the engine and move the crane to the other side? I'm guessing having one block bolt in the mount would be a bad thing, should remove it if I do this.
Any other pointers?
Installing engine mounts turned into the nasty. The driver side was annoying but got it done, since I could see what I was doing. However, the passenger side was a whole different mess due to the hydraulic crane holding up the engine. No way I can stick my head under there to see anything. I managed to get the top front bolt in, since I can see it. The other two, not done yet, after a couple of hours.
Looking for tidbits to get this done!
Can I stick the cross bolts in each mount, then drop the engine and move the crane to the other side? I'm guessing having one block bolt in the mount would be a bad thing, should remove it if I do this.
Any other pointers?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,946
Likes: 63
From: Marianna FL
It sounds like you're trying to mount the brackets to the block after you lower the engine in place. I usually mount the brackets to the block before putting it in the car and only have the long bolt that goes through the bracket/mount/bracket to install. I have also done it where I put the mount in the block bracket while outside of the car and then just drop the engine in and the mounting stud just goes straight down to the frame rail then install the mount nut from below.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2018
Posts: 557
Likes: 105
I installed my LT4 in mine just a few weeks ago and I did it with the mounts installed on the motor and the left the heavy duty rubber parts on the mounts as well but loose so I could move them around. Lowered the motor very slowly and as it got close I used a small bar to move it around from under the car and lined up the bolts to go through the frame rail. I got one in by myself but then had to have my son help me get the second one. He just lowered the lift super slow so I could guide the motor down into the hole from below the car. Once they were it lined up the trans and all of that stuff first then tightened down the motor mounts after everything was together.
Last edited by Furias15x; Aug 3, 2020 at 02:13 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 324
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Unmodified
Mine is an L98. Can't drop the engine in with the brackets on, won't be able to maneuver to connect to the tranny. Next time (oh please, not soon), likely drop the tranny before the engine removal.
I was able to get one mount in place on the side that didn't have a crane in the way. Only issue was torquing the lowest bolt, just not enough room to get a torque wrench in there, not even a crow's feet. Instead, I went with an offset wrench and did the "feel" torque.
Then, I put the cross bolts in both mounts (the other still not connected to the block) and then lowered the engine all the way and moved the crane to the other side. Now I have access from underneath, but, of course, it's the passenger side, which is always another PITA for this and that reason. Ah well, something to do and cuss at.
I was able to get one mount in place on the side that didn't have a crane in the way. Only issue was torquing the lowest bolt, just not enough room to get a torque wrench in there, not even a crow's feet. Instead, I went with an offset wrench and did the "feel" torque.
Then, I put the cross bolts in both mounts (the other still not connected to the block) and then lowered the engine all the way and moved the crane to the other side. Now I have access from underneath, but, of course, it's the passenger side, which is always another PITA for this and that reason. Ah well, something to do and cuss at.
