SBC Motor Mount Placement

[Scott R]

Well I spent all weekend working on my restore, so I now have tons of questions. I did finaly get the SBC TBI installed, and the LC 4speed, 3 speed T-case, however I am questioning my motor mount placement.

I don't have a working digital camera at the moment, but bear with me on this, when I installed the mounts I tried to get the SBC flex fan as close to the center of the LC radiator as possible. No problem with that however my motor mounts look higher then some of the pic posted here. I have the mounts sitting level, not angled to the frame, and about 1 1/2 inch above the rail at the highest point.

I had no issues getting everything to line up, and the rear went in no problem as well, again no angle on the rear mounts, just level.

Did I mess up?

 

[Bennett]

Not mine but looks good

 

[Scott R]

Nice pic! Wish I knew about those mounts before I started with the AA, those are retaining the original SBC mounts!

 

[buckroseau]

Where did these mounts come from? Is this pic off a 40? If yes to the previous 2 questions, what would be the advantage using these vs the AA mounts?

Thanks, Matt

Not mine but looks good

 

[dustin]

I just got mine in the mail last week. The are so damn saweet its rediculous (for motor mounts, anyway..) I have AA mounts on my rig at the moment for when I put my 4.3 into my rig and can't wait to cut them off when I put my v8 in there in a couple weeks. The bushings flatten out like a pancake in a matter of months, causing alot of engine noise transfered to the frame and into the cab.

Additionally, it seems like these mounts make for a no brainer install. Bolt them to the motor, and slip them over the frame as you drop the motor in, then bolt them to the frame. Whereas the AA ones require you to weld a scab plate to your frame, then put the motor in a few times to get the placement correct for height and forward/ back. It took me a while before I was comfortable I had placed the motor in correctly.

Those mounts are from Bob Firestein.

-Dustin

 

[buckroseau]

Dustin,

Any more info, price$$??, website?, email address? I am really liking the look of those.

Thanks, Matt

I just got mine in the mail last week. The are so damn saweet its rediculous (for motor mounts, anyway..) I have AA mounts on my rig at the moment for when I put my 4.3 into my rig and can't wait to cut them off when I put my v8 in there in a couple weeks. The bushings flatten out like a pancake in a matter of months, causing alot of engine noise transfered to the frame and into the cab.

Additionally, it seems like these mounts make for a no brainer install. Bolt them to the motor, and slip them over the frame as you drop the motor in, then bolt them to the frame. Whereas the AA ones require you to weld a scab plate to your frame, then put the motor in a few times to get the placement correct for height and forward/ back. It took me a while before I was comfortable I had placed the motor in correctly.

Those mounts are from Bob Firestein.

-Dustin

 

[dustin]

I dont think he has a website. But shoot him an email at 'gutsrus2k@yahoo.com'.
-Dustin

 

[warpdriv]

How does your d-shafts line up? If I remember with the AA kit, they said you need to offset the motor. I have for gotten, but you will be able to tell once you get the shafts in.

Please let us know.

Thx,

 

[Enigma]

Years ago I had to replace the mounts on my SBC 40. I beleive it had the AA ones in at the time and for whatever reasons at least one of them had begun to break apart. I ended up replacing them with mounts from a Triumph TR7 (friend had a parts car handy). They were actually bigger than the AA ones and have had those same mounts in ever since.

Jeff

 

[dgangle]

I considered these but used the AA mounts which I understand are made by Trans Adapt. Done several conversions with the AA mounts and personally want the ability to determine where I locate the engine. There is also the issue of the front motor mounts flexing but the T-case is still mounted virtually solid. I have broken enough aluminum T-cases on my own and thought this would contribute to additional stress on the housing. Holes could be poked in this agrument as well. It's a different idea, I didn't want to spend that much coin either.

 

[Scott R]

How does your d-shafts line up? If I remember with the AA kit, they said you need to offset the motor. I have for gotten, but you will be able to tell once you get the shafts in.

Please let us know.

Thx,

So far the appear to line up fine, I have to get the front cut and lengthened, but When I install it as is it's a clear shot from flange to flange, nothing is even close to hitting anything else. Of course the 4" lift kit is helping a bit I suppose.

 

[fj40charles]

I considered these but used the AA mounts which I understand are made by Trans Adapt. Done several conversions with the AA mounts and personally want the ability to determine where I locate the engine. There is also the issue of the front motor mounts flexing but the T-case is still mounted virtually solid. I have broken enough aluminum T-cases on my own and thought this would contribute to additional stress on the housing. Holes could be poked in this agrument as well. It's a different idea, I didn't want to spend that much coin either.

This is a very good point. High5 has broken several TH400 cases because of this.

 

[Vortec_Cruiser]

I got my motor mounts from Bob Firestine several years ago, and am convinced they're the best mounts for a V8 conversion in an FJ40.

 

[Planet_X]

I got my motor mounts from Bob Firestine several years ago, and am convinced they're the best mounts for a V8 conversion in an FJ40.

What do the rear mounts look like for the rest of the drive train?

 

[buckroseau]

Question on the Bob Firestein mounts. I just got mine, are any of you guys welding them in? Or just using the 4 bolts supplied per mount?

Thanks, Matt

 

[LilRicky]

Not mine but looks good

Actually, its mine. Mounts are from Bob Firestine. They were more expensive, but they are stout and much easier to get placement and alignment correct. I modified them slightly by welding nuts to the underside for the factory clamshell mounts. Made installing much easier once I was ready.

I ended up welding it in with just a 1" stich weld across the top. Still pretty easy to remove if I need to, but the motor comes goes in and out without much problem even leaving the mounts in.

 

[LilRicky]

This is a very good point. High5 has broken several TH400 cases because of this.

This is actually why I did not use the AA TCase mount on mine. I fabricated a set of rear mounts that bolt to the bell housing, much like the factory mounts did. It lets the Trans/Xfer hand and flex a little as needed.

-Rick

 

[dgangle]

This is actually why I did not use the AA TCase mount on mine. I fabricated a set of rear mounts that bolt to the bell housing, much like the factory mounts did. It lets the Trans/Xfer hand and flex a little as needed.

-Rick

Great idea. Have any picture to share?

 

[fjoakley]

I got my motor mounts from Bob Firestine several years ago, and am convinced they're the best mounts for a V8 conversion in an FJ40.

Ditto

 

[dgangle]

Ditto

Yes, they do look good but no one has addressed the flex issue. If the front engine mounts can flex and the rear is mounted stiff with the AA rear TC support, something's gotta give and I suspect it would be the aluminum TC housing...the weakest link in the whole drivetrain to begin with. How does anyone that has used these front mounts and the AA TC support addressed this issue. Anyone?