427 Side Oiler Engine Mounts??

[Turk]

Running into a bit of problem during the installation of my engine.
Are the right and left hand engine mounts identical or not?

When viewing from the front, the engine seems to be not alingned straigt but instead seems to favor a 3-4 degree turn towards the right rear of the car.
This is making the transmision alignment difficult.
So I am wondering if the two engine mounts are interchangable,and if they maybe causing the problem.

TURK

[Allan A]

Turk,

Are you able to put the headers/side pipes in and see how they look in the holes. I know on the SPF that is how Top of The Hill set the mounts.

Allan

[SCOBRAC]

You should have let me know it was going in.. They are side specific.. not identical

[SCOBRAC]

You missed the gun show in your follie..

[Turk]

I COULD use a gun right about now!!

One bullet will do, thank you very much!

Mike, we have the right side one the RIGHT side, and the left side one on the left side.
I'll see if I can post two pictures showing the way they exit the body.

Allan They don'tlook correct where they exit the body. That is why the concern.

[Turk]

Here is a picture of the right side. Notice how the front two pipes are right up against the front of the opening. There is a good inch and a half spece towards the back where the other two headers are.

TURK

[Turk]

Here is the left side. Notice how the pipes are clearly toward the back of the opening. There is close to 2"of space in the forn of the pipes,thus almost touching the back of the opening.

TURK

[Bob Putnam]

Turk,

Are you using two-bolt mounts



or the three-bolt mounts? Both are asymetrical, of course. Unfortunately, I don't have a drawing of the three-bolts...

[Bud Man]

Turkster:

When it became engine installation time, I bought a set of "NOS" Ford mounts from a well known Cobra parts house, believing they would work. They did not, at least not with my Kirkham's engine mount stands. The mounting pad was too long, and interfered with the tab that is welded to the mount, making a flush fit of mount to stand impossible.

Tom Kirkham sent me a set of the mounts they make in-house, and they worked beautifully. A couple of things get done to them to ease installation and improve performance. First, the block to engine mounting holes are sufficiently oversize to accommodate some movement when fitting, and second, they were relieved to accommodate the screw-in freeze plugs that my particular block had. (Some, but not all, SO blocks feature freeze plugs that are FLUSH with the block...mine were protruding about 3/16"). They also fit a thru bolt in each to eliminate the possibility of tearing the mount and minimize flex...a nice touch. And by the way, these particular mounts are symmetrical.

Had it not been for those beautiful Kirkham mounts, the air would have been "blue" the whole time I was trying to make the other set work. If you are not using them, I would recommend you do so.

As for your pipe issue, I believe you had the side cuts done PRIOR to fitting your particular engine/pipe set-up. The variances between car to car, engine to engine, and the various brands of pipes, etc. are real, and for that reason I located and cut my sidepipe cuts AFTER the driveline was aligned and bolted up. Reality may be that you may have to reshape them slightly to have everything come together. You may luck out, however, by using a different choice of mounts. In the original type chassis the engine does sit off center to, but should align with, the frame rails.

My .02 cents worth. Good luck, Amigo.

Bud

[PatBuckley]

Turk -

The engine mounts should be identical for your car - mine are.

The trans mount should also be a two piece affair with the second (fabricated) piece raising the trans up about an inch to an inch and a quarter....

Pat

[sfry]

Turk,
I used early FE motormounts that I pick up at NAPA. Like for a 58' Galaxy. Both sides are the same. I also had to use a 1/4" spacer under the left (drivers) side mount. It took all of 30 minutes to install the motor and tranny. It fit perfect. As far as the pipes: Shelby supplies the engine tubes spot welded to the flange. Those spot weld will need to be cut. Fit the side pipe in the middle of the opening in the body. With the spot welds now cut you can begin to fit each engine tube as it pertains to the side pipe location. As you begin to fit each tube, spot weld them so they dont move around. This process took me one full day to complete but it came out perfect.

Shannon

[Bud Man]

Turk:

Shannon brings up a good fix, and once you have solved your mounts problem, may be the only way to go.

I originally ordered the Shelby headers and collectors, but was surprised that something so costly required the need to do so much fitting and welding and I returned them. Contacted Drew Serb for a set and was very pleased. The fit and finish was the finest I have ever seen, and the welding was superb.

You may not have that option now, as your sidepipe holes are cut, but next time.........

Bud

[Turk]

Guys,
I really really appreciate the suggestions for a fix. It is not like I have asked the question and not acknowledging the offers. I have not been on the Internet the last two days other than to stop and ask questions. I have been reading the suggestions and using them. Thanks one and all for your help.

TUIRK

[David Kirkham]

Turk,

So sorry to hear your holes were cut in the wrong place. The original motor mounts are quite different than what Bob posted. I am not sure what mounts you are using, but regardless, the mounts won't fix the problem as the pipes are all the way forward on one side and all the way back on the other side. This is really the reason why we don't recommend cutting the holes until the engine is in place and the head tubes are mounted on the engine.

The original mounts are identical on both sides. They are shaped like the letter "C" and the open part of the "C" faces to the back of the car.

Bending the pipes.

Heating up the pipes and bending them is not really an option. I have tried it and it doesn't work. It is a 3 dimentional problem which is almost impossible to fix. You can try a new set of pipes, but who knows where they will come out in relation to the existing holes.

You are welcome to bring the car out to our shop and we will fix the problem...even if we have to weld in the holes and start over. We are pretty good at welding aluminum and we could fix it right up for you. You will not even be able to see the repair...

It is really a nice drive out here and we could take you to some really nice places when you are here. Just let me know what you would like to do and we would be happy to help. Sorry for the headache--will do what we can to help you through. Just don't smoke too many cigs and kill yourself over it.

David

[GEORGE ANDERSON]

Turk....the mounts for your 4000 are the same on both sides....when you get the second set of pipes you might start your fitting on the front pipe first...cut the front welds and work on the pipe until it's right where you need it.....it woud be nice if you had another head on the bench that you can do the welding work with. Get that first pipe correct on the motor and then do the welding on the extra head and the other three pipes.....
George
Pro-Copper Gaskets on the way...with updated port openings per your request.....Tell Kris Hi!
george

[Turk]

David, George,

Guys I can't thank you enough for the concerns. It did not fix my problem as of yet, but the fact that there is fix only as close as Provo is a relief.

As you know I was hoping to have my car ready and with some local miles under my belt before the DVSFIII, I am a little ticked but I am sure I will get over it. Once I am behind the wheel and wind on my face, all will be forgotten.

Kris has been a blessing to have over. He is truly a craftsman and a valuable asset to his company. Good friend too. I am glad I don't have to pay him overtime, I would have to sell the motor just to get even with him.
Today about 7:00 PM, I realized I had forgotten to feed him brakfast and lunch. So dinner was appreciated and expected.

Had a full boat here today. Pat Buckley came by to see what assistance he could provide, Rick and Allan dropped by and Allan drove almost 100 miles each way to bring over his own primary pipes from his CSX until another set arrived from Shelby.

Gary in Las Vegas, dropped everything he is doing to get another set overnighted, while George is overnighting another set of copper gaskets customized to my exhaust.

I count consider myself truly lucky to be among friends who can provide so much unselfisly. I wish there was a way I could pay them back in some way.

I made a list of things I can do well, that I could do for them. Only thing I can offer at this time, is maybe I can do their postings on the internet. As you can see I am a little thin on the skill side. So what I have to offer has to be limited to me saying THANKS!

TURK

[SCOBRAC]

No wonder the car was so inexpen$ive.. I think you might need a few 30 round clips and a side arm for what you need to do.. If you don't get out alive can I have your harley?

[SCOBRAC]

I guess, er gess there are symetrical and asymetrical mounts available..

[Turk]

Mike,
Got the engine mount questions answered. At this point only openings I have are for dashboard hookers, Steering installers, Electrical people, and grease monkeys.

Drop a resume and we'll call you when we have an opening. One more thing, when you come in for the interview be ready to go to work and dress accordingly., This is NOT a union shop. The wages are poor. Food is good though.

TURK
CSX HR until it is done.

[Allan A]

Turk,

The dinner was great, thank your wife for us.

Allan