The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop engine mount - front

When removing the engine from my '33 truck, I found the front engine mount and retainer bolted underneath the frame crossmember. Essentially, the engine sat directly upon the crossmember with the bolts through rubber engine mount and retainer below the crossmember. This configuration does not seem correct. Shouldn't the engine mount be sandwiched between the engine mount and the crossmember? I have not been able to locate any illustrations in parts books or repair manuals. Any help is appreciated.

1933-54 truck used the same mount. Here is a link to a picture. The top right mount is yours, it consists of four pieces.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/1929_54chevyparts/00/095.HTM

The mount is under the crossmember.

Hi. I just unbolted an original front engine mount from a '49 Chevy 3/4-Ton with a 216. The four-piece set-up was mounted on the top side of the crossmember underneath the engine faceplate.

This seems like a strange engine mount since there is no real rubber isolation between the engine and the frame. Is there a better front engine mount available? I will be installing my new rebuilt 261 in my '49 Chevy very soon.

Thanks,
Dan M.

If you check out the shop manual illustration of the front mount, you'll see that it is deceivingly simple but they don't mention that if not installed to the letter, will cause untold grief.

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/2783812490090459121pDxClp

(You'll need to click on "Full Size" in the upper right corner to enlarge this picture so you can see the front engine mount)

Note that the rubber insert can be installed upside down which does make a difference and the clearance between the top plate and the box that holds the insert is critical. My reproduction rubber insert was not as thick as the original and without a load, the top 1/8" plate showed adequate clearance from the bottom box. It was only after I installed the mount, installed the engine with the 620 pounds of weight, and cranked the engine, did I note the lack of clearance and the resulting vibration through the frame.

Trust me when I say that it is best to clamp the mount in a vise securely and make sure that you have adequate clearance. Correcting this lack of clearance requires working on your back under the crossmember with the radiator removed, a jack under the engine and was a big PITA.

So, take my word for it....get the insert correctly installed, clamp it in a vise and squeeze it and I'll bet you'll wind up trimming 1/8" off the upper rim of the lower box component. You'll get enough road feedback through a stock steering column without additional vibrations from the engine.

Dave

I get a "forbidden" message when I try to view your link Dave.

Sorry about that....try this link.....

Dave

Another trick with any of the rubber that press fits (like the suspension bumpers on the front springs) if you throw them in the freezer overnight and work quickly they will usually slide right in.

Thank you all for your help. Unfortunately, I am still confused. Upon removing the engine from my '33 truck I found the rubber mount (3657520) and the lower retainer (368449) bolted underneath the frame crossmember. The plate (3657522) and the cover (3656502) were not present. According to Master Parts and Accessories Catalog only the rubber mount and lower retainer are applicable to my '33 year. What has me concerned is that the engine front cover plate has worn the frame crossmember at the mounting point. With the mount bolted from underneath, there does not seem to be enough clearance between the engine front cover plate and the frame. If the engine mount was mounted on top of the frame crossmember, sandwiched between the engine and crossmember, clearance would not be an issue. Any help with my '33 problem is appreciated.

I would re ask this question on the VCCA site. I seem to remember that the early trucks did have the mount under the crossmember.
http://vccachat.org/forum/ubbthreads.php

Thank you, I did visit the other site and confirmed the mount was installed correctly. Thanks again

I have a 1935 Chevy PU and the front engine mount is only two pieces, the rubber and a heavy metal case. the assembly mounts under the cross member and the rubber sticks up through the holes in the cross member.there is no metal plate on top. Seems like there is enough clearance. This assembly does not mount on top of the cross member. The angle of the engine would be such that the drive shaft would be hitting the ground before it reached the rear end.