The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Engine mount location causes leaks?

I've been told that front mounted 235 engines are more vulnerable to timing cover and front end leaks versus side mounted engines. Seems like an unsubstantiated claim. Can anyone see some logic or have experience as to why the pressure resulting from the front mount would cause this?

It would take some pretty impressive mental gymnastics, to think so, but the only reason I can dream up would be that the front motor mount is attached to a thin steel plate bolted to the front of the block between it and the timing cover. Side mounts are bolted directly to the block.
Jerry

I'm with Jerry. I can't see why it would cause leakage. That thin plate he refers to isn't really that thin and it's bolted to the block with numerous fasteners. I can't see how it could even start to flex or move.

Just a brain spasm.

I have seen (3 engines) the rubber part of the front mount deteriorated and worn and the energy absorption gone. It was obvious the mount had become loose and was causing more wear. Metal parts are riding on metal parts. The support below the mount was also worn. Mounting holes were elongated. What if this loose mount causes a jackhammer-vibrating-bouncing effect on the front of the engine? With the weight of the dampener, on the end of a crankshaft coupled with vibration, could this cause a very slight amount of crankshaft end flexing? Would this be enough to cause premature timing cover seal wear over time?

How often was the front engine mount checked for wear? Never?

Well actually there is (some sort) of logic behind this, but it's something different than you may think.

The bolts of the front cover are not all the same length.
If you don't know where the shorter bolts need to go, or you use generic same length bolts (let's say from a stainless engine kit) - some of them start pushing (and actually bending) that front plate away from the engine and causing a leak in the passage that feeds oil to the nozzle in the cover.

It usually leaks at a spot that is hard to see, and gives you the impression the oil is coming ether from the bottom of the front cover or from the front seal.

Frank

That makes a lot of sense, Frank.