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- Joined
- Feb 28, 2001
- Messages
- 7,994
- Reaction score
- 4,311
- Points
- 113
- Location
- Dayton Oregon
- Vehicle Year
- 1990, 1997
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Engine Type
- 2.3 (4 Cylinder)
- Engine Size
- 2.3 Turbo
- Transmission
- Manual
- 2WD / 4WD
- 4WD
- Total Lift
- 6
- Tire Size
- 35"
One of several issues with my 5.0L Explorer is when I got it it was missing both bolts into the block for the engine mount on the passenger side... stock bolts were broke off flush with the block and was sitting that way for who knows how long... in the process of removing them since it's pretty tight in there I wasn't as centered as I'd hoped and took out some of the threads so had to up size to 1/2" bolts from 7/16"... I fixed that 20k miles ago, the planetary gears in the trans let go a month ago and while underneath I noticed a missing bolt again and it's broken... When I was putting the transmission back in it was 90F before noon so I wasn't going to tackle that issue in the heat...
I can get the bolt out, that isn't the issue, it's how to fix it so it doesn't happen again... I imagine the issue is the stock bolts were broken for long enough to wear down the block at the engine mount I think, causing the leverage of the mount plate to be extreme since the rubber mount bolt is around 3" or so past the block...
I'm pondering a fix but want other opinions... From what I remember there isn't much over there to add extra bolts to. I'm thinking of welding some parts to the motor mount plate and add another attachment point to reduce the leverage. I'll probably poke around this weekend to see if I can think of something. My only other idea is instead of a flat plate, add a vertical plate perpendicular to meet with the square part of the block.
Ok, I'll stop before I get more long winded... the Whisky might be talking some...
But seriously, any ideas are appreciated, this is the least power and abuse this thing will be getting for the rest of it's life... heck, I haven't even been using low range much to put much torque on the mount!
I can get the bolt out, that isn't the issue, it's how to fix it so it doesn't happen again... I imagine the issue is the stock bolts were broken for long enough to wear down the block at the engine mount I think, causing the leverage of the mount plate to be extreme since the rubber mount bolt is around 3" or so past the block...
I'm pondering a fix but want other opinions... From what I remember there isn't much over there to add extra bolts to. I'm thinking of welding some parts to the motor mount plate and add another attachment point to reduce the leverage. I'll probably poke around this weekend to see if I can think of something. My only other idea is instead of a flat plate, add a vertical plate perpendicular to meet with the square part of the block.
Ok, I'll stop before I get more long winded... the Whisky might be talking some...
But seriously, any ideas are appreciated, this is the least power and abuse this thing will be getting for the rest of it's life... heck, I haven't even been using low range much to put much torque on the mount!
