Quick Help w/ a missing motor mount bolt

[clayfoushee]

I also posted this under the Polar Bear cruise thread, but I would really appreciate some quick help to help me replace a missing motor mount bolt on the driver's side.  I just noticed it after getting my lift put together today.  The motor is only slightly out of alignment but will have to be shifted a bit to get the bolt back in.

Obviously, I've been driving it that way probably since I had it, but ignorance was bliss.  I'd hate to have a big block spin it's way out of the car druing the cruise.......especially around this crowd.....don't want to add to the legend of CACC in that way.

I do have a lift now in a heated garage, but nothing to lift a motor with.

[Joe Loyd]

Clay, although a cherry picker would be the "normal" tool for moving a motor around, a properly placed floor jack and pry bar would probably be more than adequate (after loosening up the remaining motor & trans mount bolts). Although I have both if you need to borrow them, you may be able to find someone a bit closer.

[bill3422]

I do have both. Let me know where and when.

[Wade Chamberlain]

Depending on how far the hole has shifted, you should be able to easily rock the engine one way or the other just by picking up on the sidepipes where they exit the body.

[clayfoushee]

Thanks for the very quick responses.  Wade, the motor is shifted only about half the diameter of the bolt hole, so it won't take much movement to get it aligned properly.  But, I'm wondering why it's out in the first place.  This motor is a fresh rebuild that was installed shortly before I purchased the car, and I suspect that bottom bolt was never installed in the first place, but why?  I'm gonna try to reach the people who did it today, but don't expect to get much help there.

Bill, I'm off the rest of this week, so Tues or Wed. before the cruise will work for me.  I can bring my truck to pick up your equip. if you don't have an easy way to transport it.

You guys are great.

[Scott Harrison]

If that doesn't work, bring your "heap" over to Cobra Inc, and we'll fix you up.  

Meanwhile just safety wire the second mount!  

[bill3422]

Tuesday would be good, that way it gives us an extra day incase we really screw something up and have to go to Cobra Inc. :wink:

[clayfoushee]

Thanks Scott,

I just talked to the senior mechanic, Robert Becker, at Cherner Classics, where I purchased the car.  It was previously owned by a friend of his.  He said normally they did all of their own installations, but sent this one out, so he doesn't know why it was left out.  However, he said he had run across problems with motor mounts and FE big blocks.  Since the car previously had a 428 in it, he's speculating that they used the original 428 mounts, which won't line up with a 427 quite right.

The motor is about half a bolt hole too high on the driver's side, so he's doubtful it will shift down enough to get into the right position with the jack/crowbar method.

Bill, we can try it, but I may have to transport the car somewhere to get it right.

[Bob Lennon]

I'm trying to visualize the problem, so I may be wrong, but..

could you simply drill another hole in the correct place?

You could either weld and grind before drilling,

 or if you like adventure, fabricate a spacer to fill the  OB of the ob long whole.

--Is ob a word?

[bill3422]

Certainly worth a try. Send me time and place info for tomorrow.

[Wade Chamberlain]

why would 428 and 427 mounts be different?  I thought all FE's had the same external block dimensions, mounts, etc.  :

I'm betting the bolt was there to begin with, and simply fell out.  Whether or not it was originally tightened...who knows.

[clayfoushee]

I dunno Wade, Assuming the motor hasn't shifted, it looks like someone got lazy and didn't put it in.  There's no evidence on the mount that there was a bolt there, and the threads on the block look pristine.  I don't know about whether there are any real differences between 427 & 8 blocks that would dictate motor mt. differences....just relaying what a supposed expert told me.

Bill anytime, later morning through afternoon would work for me.....call me on my cell (443) 994-0783 and we can make final arrangements.

Bob, interesting thought....that may be a good if all else fails solution, but since the mount hole overlaps the block hole, it would really ream out the mount.

Lastly, what size/grade/length bolt will fit in that block?  Obviously I could take one of the others out, but I'd rather wait until I have another couple of hands.  It would be nice to have the new one handy when help in the form of Bill Patterson arrives tomorrow.

Thanks again....you guys are terrific!

[Joe Loyd]

...I'm betting the bolt was there to begin with, and simply fell out.  Whether or not it was originally tightened...who knows.

Come on, geez, like something would just fall off one of these things... :wink:

[clayfoushee]

Yeah....even a BB doesn't shake enough to vibrate that size bolt out.  I would think if they bothered to put it in, they would bother to tighten it.  My bet is since they couldn't get it to line up just right. They just said "screw it."

Just talked to Lee Dahmer, and he reminded me if my side pipes were bolted tight to the headers and frame, which they are, they function as an extra set of motor mounts.  Interesting thought.......

Anybody got a definitive answer on bolt size/length?  A 5/8 box wrench fits it, but what length?

[SchmidtAl]

If all else fails, just buy a selection of lengths. Sheesh, is it possible to have too many nuts and bolts in the parts bins for when you need one.
CC