Left Header contact body

[Grubby]

My ERA is pretty typical. The LH header makes light contact with the top of the hole in the body.

I have the ERA modified LH motor mount.

My theory is the RH mount compresses some under heavy acceleration and causes the LH header to touch the body.

Anyone else have the issue and what did you do? A polyurethane mount on the RH side might help, but I can't find one.

John

[Kramer]

I have had the same issue. Last year I opened the top of the hole about 1/4 inch but i noticed it is still hitting the body (marks on the black pipe tell the tale). I may open it up a little more this winter. I can fit a finger in at the top on the left side but on the right only the tip. I am hoping that will finally do it.

[RICK LAKE]

Grubby John Have you check the motor for being centered in the frame? Have you checked the motor for being level? Over time my motor has walked too in the frame and I have had to recenter it. This is the easiest thing to do with just loosing motor mounts and dropping the left side and raising the right side 1/4" This fixes most issues. If you don't want the motor to move that much, add a torque chain, turn buckle or strap to the motor. Most people put the in the front of the motor. This causes a twist under load. If you have to room install this from the bellhousing down to the frame in the middle. Twisting in the front end can also cause binding of the external shifting rods and other issues, even broken trans mounts. Rick

[Grubby]

Rick,
Good post. The engine was level. I loosened both mounts and used my floor jack to try and shift the engine around. Not much success. It kept goinng back to level when tightened.

Your post did give me another idea. I made a shim out of a washer and put it between the mount and the frame stand. That gave me about 3/16" additional clearance on the Left side. Of course I lost some clearance on the Right.

I suspect the issue is cured. I drove the car today and did not get any additional contact.

John

[DanEC]

John - sounds like you solved the problem but on leveling the engine - if you have an engine hoist or access to one they make moving the engine pretty easy. Attach a chain to the head bolt on the side you want to raise a little and jack it up until you see the other side slip down a little. Sounds crude but mine slipped in small increments that made it pretty easy to get level.

[Grubby]

My engine was dead on level when I started. Now it is slightly higher on the RH side.

John

[Grubby]

Does anyone make a polyurethane mount for FEs? I think a RH poly mount with engine level and all would be good. I am convinced the RH mount is compressing under high torque. That would cause the LH side to raise.

I considered making up a steel mount for the RH side, but that would be harsh for a street car.

[kevins2]

Originally Posted by Grubby

My ERA is pretty typical. The LH header makes light contact with the top of the hole in the body.

I have the ERA modified LH motor mount.

My theory is the RH mount compresses some under heavy acceleration and causes the LH header to touch the body.

Anyone else have the issue and what did you do? A polyurethane mount on the RH side might help, but I can't find one.

John

Hi John,

Just curious, did the contact damage the body in any way?

Regards,

Kevin

[Grubby]

No real damage. I have noticed for 3 years that the header was making slight contact. I just decided to look into improving the situation.

If you feel inside the opening on the body you can feel the rounded imprint the header tube left. There is teletale marks on both header tubes. The outside of the body is still smooth and paint looks good.

I have seen several other Cobras with the same teletale marks on the headers. My last ERA also had them.

I initially tightened the bolt in the ERA modified motor mount. That did nothing, which leads me to believe it is the RH mount compressing. That is why I shimmed it. If a poly mount comes along I will try that instead.

John