FE Engine mounts 61 Galaxie

[sumfoo1]

Ok so i'm building an engine now that should make big power some day..

(whenever i get it done and in the car)

At what point do i need to start thinking about an engine plate setup?

When do the factory style engine mounts start failing?

thank you,

-bill h

[jayb]

I've never used an engine plate, and I've run over 1200 HP using the stock mounts.  You just need to make sure you use a torque strap to limit the engine movement.

[Joe-JDC]

I definitely agree with using stock mounts on the street/strip.  I drilled stock mounts and installed grade 8 bolts/washers/double nuts and solved torque problem and ripping the rubber apart.  Leave enough room for the mounts to flex but not pull apart when you double nut the bolts.  Straps/chains work too, with a turnbuckle to adjust for slack, but get in the way on some chassis.  Joe-JDC

[rcodecj]

I like the bolt through stock motor mount setup and have used it for years. 

But I wonder at what point does the motor plate have an advantage at creating less block stress and block and cylinder wall distortion.
There are certainly some very fast cars out there using modified stock mounts, and some of those cars are quite heavy.

[turbohunter]

Hmm
Taking that thought out. And of course realizing there are a lot of engines running successfully both ways.
Is the stock style motor mount actually letting the engine material flex the way it wants to?
Does the motor plate cause more block distortion because it plants one end of the block while the tranny end flexes more?
Be fun to have a strobe/spintron style look at that.
I know, que the freaky music.

[Joe-JDC]

Personally, I feel that the harmonics of a block plate rigid to the frame are more detrimental to the internal balance issues than if connected to the block by the rubber insulators.  There needs to be a small amount of damping of harmonics to aid in longevity of bolts, main caps, trans gears, etc.  If I were a betting person, I bet you will find more main caps walking on plated engines than those that use motor mounts.  JMO, but I do not like plates/mid plates for that reason.  Like Jay said, 1200hp on motor mounts is possible, and many blown sbfs are running around with poly mounts and living.  Joe-JDC.

[thatdarncat]

Some people run the motor plates to make more clearance for headers, not necessarily for strength.

[Heo]

I think the reason you use motorplates is to get more consistent
chassie reactions

[sumfoo1]

thanks guys...  that makes me feel better.

She's going to be turbo someday and i'm just trying to make sure i don't have to re-do things.

because of the turbos i'm not all that concerned on header space because they're going up before they go down.


Do yall have any pictures of how you did your straps/chains etc?