1850 engine re-mounting.

[yorkshire_spam]

It's driving me mental. I lifted the engine and box back into the car... I can't get it anywhere near the engine mountings. However I leaver it one way or another the mountings on the engine seem far to far apart to get them onto the mountings on the subframe.
I'm baffled - none of the mountings have been moved/disturbed since I lifted the engine out - wtf is going on?

[Bitsa]

I had the same issue but assumed it was the mixture of 1850 subframe / tr7 engine / sprint box/ stiff mounts. Wish I could remember how we finally got it in, but I think these are things we tried - which ones worked, which ones were red herrings I can’t remember!

- Only partially fitting the mounts to give some wiggle room, then lowering it in a tightening the bolts
- Fitting one side loosely and then using a jack to adjust it to fit the other side - the jack may have been on the opposite side to the mount we were trying to fit?
- Removing the gearbox mount (or fitting it?!?!?)
- Using a screwdriver on each side to slide it into place via the bolt holes, then using the screwdrivers as levers to get bolts in on the non screwdriver slots, then remove screwdrivers and fit last two bolts.
- Ratchet straps?
- Swearing

From memory I think using screw drivers to force it into alignment ended up being part of how we got it in, but it might have needed something else along with that!

[2Toledos]

That's rubber for you - Once the tension/pressure is off, it 'recovers' (at least to some degree) to it's 'natural' shape. Some mounts more so than others; and when you're trying to locate the bolts at an angle, any 'recovery' is exaggerated.
When I rebuilt Tara's engine, I left the mounts on the subframe; just had to loosen the nuts and a bit of 'encouragement' to drop it back in.
Might be of no help, but try fitting the mounts to the subframe first...

[Bitsa]

Now you mention it that might be how we got it on. Top nuts and bolts through the subframe to mount hole, but just on the bolt and no more for wiggle room. Position the engine so you can put the engine side in, as before bolt just on and no more. Then tighten the top subframe bolt as far as it’ll go. Put screwdrivers in the bottom bolt holes for alignment, then lower the engine. Use the screwdrivers to align the bottom bolts if necessary, then remove them, fit the last two bolts and tighten everything.

[new to this]

Now that ive painted my engine bay, ill be refitting my Sprint engine, How i plan to do mine, is remove 1 engine bracket and engine mount, makes it easier to swing the engine around, locate that in the subframe, put the nut on loosely so it cant come off, then bolt the engine mount to the engine bracket that you removed before, slide the engine mount in the hole in subframe, if you need to lift the engine a little so the other engine bracket will line up with the bolt holes

Dave

[Richard the old one]

Have you put the engine mounts in the correct way up ? see the attached photo

[yorkshire_spam]

Have you put the engine mounts in the correct way up ? see the attached photo

Good call Richard - but I hadn't disturbed the mountings since I replaced them last year - that's what baffled me so much!

All's well as ends well! It's back in!

Method:
Starting point - rear mounting fitted and nuts/bolts on... but not tightened up.
Nearside mounting attached to subframe and engine bracket resting on the thread on top of the mounting (close to the hole, but not through it)
Offside mounting - miles out. Unfastened mounting from subframe, but fastened to the bracket (nut only on about 1 turn though!)
Jacked up the engine a bit, wood block on the NS of the engine.
2 screw drivers through the OS mounting into the holes in the subframe.
Lower away gently - the OS mounting starts to line up.
Replace screw drivers with bolts - loosely fitted
Swap the jack to the OS lift slightly
Thump the threaded part of the NS mounting with a wood block so it "pings" into the bracket hole - nut on!
Lower off and tighten everything up.

Just a few hoses to fit and the kick down to adjust now! Getting closer!

[Bitsa]

Well done! It’s a pain of a job. I had my father in law helping who is an ex RAF aircraft mechanic and we still barely managed it. I remember it being easier but still a pain on when I did the 1300, but that was with the subframe off the car so at least we had access.

[MIG Wielder]

I replaced my 1850 mounts last year and found a 10mm steel spacing block under each mount. Knowing SWK's history I wasn't surprised and I replaced then together with the new mounts but they were still not easy to line up. I reckon this is an " 1850 thing ".

Maybe the spacer thickness needs increasing ?

Tony.

[Henk]

Have you put the engine mounts in the correct way up ? see the attached photo

Which is the right way? I removed the old mounts without taking notice of the offset...

[Richard the old one]

I believe it is so that the engine is a high as possible.

With a 1500 engine if you fit the mounts the wrong way round the sump rests on the steering rack.

[Henk]

Thanks!