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MG MGB Technical - V8 Engine Mounts

My engine came back from the machine shop and they had removed the engine mount brackets and I am unable to tell what one goes on what side.
I have attached a photograph can anybody help me.
Does the flatter edge go towards the front of the engine or the back. They fit on the block eitherway.
Thanks Andy

a goldup

I'm using Clive Wheatley's mounts, but even so I hope this photo will help you to work it out from the position of the stud through the rubber block relative to the side of the block.


Mike Howlett

The engine should end up in the rearmost of the two possible positions, in other words the bolts in the block should be *aft* of the mount stud that goes in the chassis plates, which is how Mike's are. Yours are upside down, which makes it complicated, but I *think* the right hand-one goes on the right side and vice-versa ...

My V8 came to me with them on the wrong sides, the first I knew was when the crank pulley started rubbing on the uprated (thicker) anti-roll bar under braking, and the sump wore through because it was resting on the cross-member! While investigating I discovered the rear crossmember was in the rear of the two possible mounting positions on one side, and the front on the other!! It was a challenge changing those plates over with the engine in-situ!!!

Just after that I went to the Classic Car show at the NEC where they were reshelling the first V8, and were obviously having problems getting the engine and gearbox in. I was able to tell them they had the plates on the wrong sides, and after that it went in sweet as a nut, although the main problem was that they were trying to do it with the gear lever still in the gearbox.
PaulH Solihull

Thanks Paul, are you saying that the right one on the picture is incorrect as it is laying on the bolt holes.
So the sharper angle goes to the front and the flatter edge goes to the back, as that is how it looks in Mike's picture.
a goldup

Ah, I see now the block is upside down. Right way up the one on the left goes on the right side of the engine ... i.e. the side that is shown in Mike's picture! Or to put it another way yes the flatter edge of the mount bracket goes towards the rear of the engine.

The bottom line is that the engine must be in the rearmost of the two possible positions.
PaulH Solihull

Hi Guys,
I still have to fit my engine which is fitted with Clive Wheatley's brackets and engine mounts.

Could you please advise whether the engine mount studs are positioned in the upper or lower position(as shown in Mike's image)

Appreciate your assistance
Rgds Trevor Burnett
t burnett

Trevor
I believe Mike's picture to be correct - The tin brackets fit with the offset forward i.e. motor rearward
As far as the rubbers go I just had a look at a factory V8 which I believe has never had the engine out and the rubbers are fitted with the stud high but Mike's photo shows them low so I guess I don't really know what to suggest there. You could measure accross the mounting holes in the engine bay and then measure your mounted mounting and compare. There would have to be 20/30mm difference in the two positions
Willy
WilliamRevit

The studs do have to be in the lower of the two possible positions, it would be impossible to get them into the chassis brackets otherwise if attached to the engine. Even in the lower positions I found I couldn't drop them straight in, but had to twist the engine slightly to get the first one in, then twist it the other way to get the second in.

The other thing you have to get right is the square location washer that fits *under* the chassis bracket. This must also be fitted with the hole in the lowest position. If you find there isn't enough room for it then the stud is too high, either because the engine is tilted that way a bit, or you have too many spacers. Conversely the stud must be clear of the end of the chassis bracket slot, i.e. not too low, or the rubber mount will be in shear and tension rather than solely in compression.

The correct position and number of spacers is achieved when both studs are clear of the bottom of the slot, *and* you can get the location washers on in their correct orientation.

Lightly oil the bottom metal surface of the rubber mount, and the top surface of the chassis bracket, to enable the bottom plate of the rubber mount to slide into the Vee of the chassis brackets as the rubber compresses slightly under load. Even so you may see the sides of the rubber forming a parallelogram, i.e. the rubber to metal bond is under shear, so tap the bottom plate a little further into the Vee with a drift to square up the rubber. If the stud hits the bottom of the slot, then you need another shim.
PaulH Solihull

Paul has said it all. The studs are in the lower position. In the upper position my engine would not go in at all.
Mike Howlett

Hi Guys,

Many many thanks,regards Trevor Burnett
t burnett

This thread was discussed between 03/10/2010 and 11/10/2010

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