Sprint engine mounts.

[sprintchris]

Recently fitted new pattern mounts to my Sprint engine, I noticed a week or so later the gap between the oil pump and rack was about 8mm, now a few weeks on its almost touching.

So, the mounts I have fitted are rubbish - no prizes for guessing where they came from!

I still have two sets of original mounts which are delaminating, has anyone ever found a company that car effectively re-rubber the originals....if there is such a possibility.

Chris.

[xvivalve]

I don't believe so, but it is something we need to investigate...

[SprintMWU773V]

Problems with the current supply of engine mounts is concerning as there is no alternative supply. I will in the not too distant future have to look at fitting mounts to my car. The original mounts are in poor condition and I'm loathed to fit poor quality 'new' ones. I did make enquiries with Bonaprene (Polybush) last year as we had some Jaguar engine mounts made for work. Whilst they could easily either make new mounts with an appropriate grade of polyurethane or refurbish bare plates the minimum order was prohibitive. I think there may be some mileage in exploring this further, perhaps with an alternative supplier. I was attracted to Bonaprene though because they do make very good poly engine mounts for other cars and have successfully boned the poly to the metal whilst retaining the degree of shear required in the material i.e. it's not too harsh.

[sprint95m]

I did make enquiries with Bonaprene (Polybush) last year as we had some Jaguar engine mounts made for work. Whilst they could easily either make new mounts with an appropriate grade of polyurethane or refurbish bare plates the minimum order was prohibitive

What was the minimum order?



thanks,
Ian.

[SprintMWU773V]

Ideally no fewer than 150 and are they not different on each side? I forget.

There are possible other sources. The secret will be getting the right grade of material, so if anyone has any ideas on the material grade then do feel free to share. The real issue seems to be sinkage and delamination with these repro parts, when they work they seem to work OK, they just don't last.

I have seen that there's a company making poly mounts for an MK1 MX5. These probably wouldn't be a suitable direct replacement but they do work in a very similar way to the Dolomite ones, though they only have one mounting bolt on. The basic design may be adaptable to the Dolomite with some engineering.

[xvivalve]

They are the same both sides.

I would have thought 75 pair would be viable...why not get a quotation and approach the committee?

[SprintMWU773V]

I'll make enquires and report back.

[sprintchris]

This is the issue I have with saggy mounts!!!!
Sometimes I feel like giving up with this car
Saggy engine mounts
Lowered coil springs that seem to sit higher than standard
A new engine stabiliser that's shorter than the old
A new battery negative lead ordered for a Sprint a good two inches too short
A set of core plugs that wouldn't go in
The list goes on.

[Richard the old one]

It is not only sprint owners that have a problem finding engine mounts so if possible please consider the other models in the dolomite range.

[sprint95m]

I would have thought 75 pair would be viable...why not get a quotation and approach the committee?

On the former I concur and about the latter I have sent you a PM Alun.





Ian.

[Galileo]

I was thinking of getting in touch with AV Industrial Products for when the time came to change mine, but I'd obviously be interested in a set of club ones instead.

[SprintMWU773V]

As I first started looking at this last year I've volunteered to have another look.

It's been a slow day at work today so things have progressed quickly. I've had good discussions with two manufacturers and I've agreed to send samples out to them. Both sound very positive and I'm pleased to report they do seem adopt an engineering approach to the project. I'll hopefully be looking for a volunteer to assist with part of the research early next week. The discussions I'm currently having are based around Sprint mounts but if things look favourable I will also look at mounts for the other cars in due course.

I'll also have a look at good quality rubber, the basic problem seems to be the quality of the rubber used and the ability to bond it to the backing plate. At work we have produced some not entirely different mounts so have come across AV Industrial before.

I'll shortly start another thread on the mounts project and I welcome your comments and thoughts there or via PM.