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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - D&D Motor Mounts

Okay, this may be a pretty dumb question, but here it goes. Has anyone used or modified the D&D engine mounts to mount any other engine (other than the 215) to any level of success? Or has everyone custom fab'd their own brackets? I am trying to find as many parts as possible (decently priced of course) to help ease the V8 transplant process. Thanks for any recomendations on motor mounts and tranny mounts (I have the ability and backing to fab my own, but I was just curious what was already out there, no need to re-invent the wheel).
D. T. Barnes

I used stock V6 Buick mounts on mine and through bolted them as a torque limiter, then welded stancheons (sp?) to the crossmember for attachment points. It's worked quite well for me, and is the most typical kind of V8 mount used in american cars. Have to keep an eye on the crossmember mounting bolts though for stress cracks.
Jim Blackwood

Thanks for the info, I think I understand your setup. I think it might be just as easy to put my own brackets together and just weld them up.
D. T. Barnes

The advantage of buying mounts is that they fit. There is very little room around the mounted V8 so the mounts have to be just right.

Originally I made use of the Buick motor mounts, but they fouled the steering so I changed to the later MGB style mounts.

For my ’71 I had to weld in chassis mounts I made by tracing the mounts from a later MGB. Bolted to those were the later cylindrical rubber mounts from a later MGB.

I also made the part that goes between the rubber mount and the block by welding two pieces of steel together at a 30-degree angle to match the 30 degree angle of the chassis mounts.

The half that bolts to the block was made of angle iron positioned as an upside down “L” and ground to get the required angle. I used the old Buick mount as a guide for hole size and spacing and drilled the holes close to the angle, but leaving enough room to use a socket on the bolts.

I traced the rubber mount on steel and extended the sides down. This was welded to the other piece so that the holes were above the upper edge of the block half and so the forward bolt to the block was centered between the two bolts to the rubber mount. Prior to welding an access hole must be cut to allow access to the forward bolt to the block.

A picture’s worth a thousand words, but I hope this couple hundred words paint as adequate picture for you.
George Champion

If you can buy a ready made mount for the engine you plan to use you should do it. Engine position will be more consistent with what's out there and other parts will fit properly. Plus as mentioned location is rather tight and it makes it way easier to get it right the first time.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

D.T. I have looked for a better mt. for 23 years! & what I have found is the new R.B. mts. are thicker than what were made years ago which means the motor will sit higher & there is more problem with the air cleaner clearing the hood. What I do with my mts. is lower them were the motor sits as low as I can get it befor things start hitting other parts, were I can get the Rover Hot Wire F/I under a std. hood, with NO MODS to the hood. I also make mts. to back up the motor were there is extra room up fount to put A.C. in. If you are close enough to me come over & look at all the V-8 here. 1, 72 B 4.9 with a T-56 six speed, 75 B Buick 215 / T-5, 74 G.T. 4.2 with A.C. & Rover Hot Wire F/I, 77 B with a rover 4.2 & F/I, 74.5 G.T. Rover 3500 with 452,000 miles on her (my first V8) & still going strong! & on & on & on. Will M.G. till the day I die!!!!!!!
Glenn Towery

George,

"a picture is worth a thousand words"

I was planning something similar. Any chance you could send me sketch (PDF, TIF or JPG is fine)? Eml dommgb at yahoo dot com dot au

Regards,

Dom
D Pagliaro

Dom,

I tried, but the one page file was too large. I'll split it up and try again later.

George
George Champion

Thanks to all who have responded. I am still not sure exactly what I want to do with the whole thing. I might go with a BOPR engine instead of a 302, its just the cost of the BOPR 215 is pretty high for my budget (I was looking for something a touch cheaper). Anyways, any recomendations on anything to do with this is greatly appreciated, and thanks again to all who have responded.
D. T. Barnes

Just for some ideas on how to fabricate, try: http://www.autofab.com/racing.htm

This site makes me wonder if an old wishbone arm and a V8 bushing could be a basis for a fabricated mount.

Wayne
Wayne Pearson

David Maples has a 302 and five-speed listed for sale on the mgbexperience trader section. I believe he's around Atlanta. Good luck, I know the decision over which motor can be torture.

Ryan
Ryan Reis

DT, if you're considering a 302 (& there are lots of good reasons to if you're in the US), give Ted Lathrop at FastCars a call. I'm in the planning stages for a 302 swap & have been trading mails with him... he sells, among other things, motor mounts & a radiator designed for use with a 302/MGB swap. I was talking with him about his independant front suspension and he made a comment that makes me think the motor mount was designed for use with his IFS, but even if that's true, you can probably modify his mounts easier than make completely new ones.

my email is robert.ficalora@hp.com; keep in touch... I'm about done with my planning & ready to shift into execution mode -- like a poster I used to have when I worked with engineers at Texas Instruments had... "There comes a time in the development of every project when it becomes necessary to shoot the engineers & begin production!"
rficalora

Wayne - thanks for the link, I'll have to kick around the site a bit and see what I find.

Ryan - Cool, let me take a look around as see if I can find it.

Robert - Thanks for the info, I contacted a couple guys with MGB 302's from the British V8 newsletter and they pointed me to Ted as well. I sent him an email yesterday and am waiting to hear back. It sounds like his mounts are part of an IFS (which someone told me was around $4200, a bit pricey for me at the moment) but maybe we can get a hold of the front crossmember only, and then upgrade to the IFS later...
D. T. Barnes

This thread was discussed between 21/11/2005 and 29/11/2005

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