How is the engine mounted in the body/chassis?

[Stallion]

I was just wondering how exactly the engine is mounted into the Vette. What keeps it in place? Not the pulley system, is it? What is it?

Thanks!

TR

 

[jim coulter]

Motor mounts. Theres a bracket mounted to each side of the motor between the oil pan and the heads that has holes in it. Theres also a bracket on the frame on each side that has holes in it. When the motor is set down in the frame the holes in the two brackets lign up, and a bolt is put through it with a nut on the end.

 

[Tom73]

Three point system, the two motor mounts mentioned above and the rear transmission mount.

tom...

 

[JonM]

 

[Stallion]

Okay thanks, everybody! By the look of that picture, it looks like that piece can easily rust. Is that a common problem, maybe? Or is it a dismissable piece of hardware that doesn't require too much attention? I can't imagine what would happen if the engine dismounted. :eek

Thanks!

TR

 

[JonM]

The standard for the steel in the motor mounts usually is of the type that doesn't rust quickly. Most of the time what happens to a motor mount is, someone will have an oil leak and it leaks on the mount causing it to deteriorate. Another factor the rubber gets dry rot. Now once this happens (usually in older cars with hard linkage such as the C-3s you are looking at) once you floor your car the engine will raise up in the front causing the linkage to bind. Once this happens you are at full throttle and the pedal won't come up. If you are quick thinking you have to shut down the engine with the key. It can be VERY dangerous.

 

[Stallion]

Oh my gosh! Does that happen quite often? How can you asure that it won't happen? That sounds terrible! To the Vette and to the public surrounding it. :eek

 

[92ghost]

Stallion. As mentioned above, the motor mounts, under normal condintions will not be a problem. However, older cars and cars with major modifications done to the engine will stress the motor mount to the point of failure. Some fail-safe measures I have seen on high HP engines is to mount a chain from an exhaust bolt (or similar location bolt) to the frame rail that the engine mount is attached. This is done on the torque side only of the engine and it will allow the engine mount to work to it's maximum before the chain tightens. There are hardened motor mounts available in the after market sector that are more reliable and not so (Goddy) looking as the chain.

 

[Stallion]

So if I just look for a good condition C3 Vette that doesn't look beat up I should be fine as far as the mounting goes? That result is kind of worrysome, you know?

Thanks!