FE Motor Plate

[Towd56]

I am leaning towards using a front plate for the 427 in my Fairlane. It seems most only use the 2 Water pump bolts on each side. I did discover a timing cover from Dove,I believe, that also uses bolts from the timing cover? I can’t find it for sale anywhere though?

Looking for thoughts on just using the water pump bolts and to see if someone has a better idea that would incorporate some additional mounting points .

Any ideas or info on the timing cover is appreciated

[blykins]

I always use the water pump bolt holes, Dennis.  It will be fine. 

[Gregwill16]

Brent I do not see a place to mount the smog pump? 

[blykins]

Brent I do not see a place to mount the smog pump? 

I'll mount it next to the road draft tube

[fairlaniac]

My project isn't finished but here are my motor plates. I drew them in CAD and had S&W Chassis waterjet them for me. I copied the idea from my buddy Steve McBlane and his '65 Comet NSS. When I finish I probably will make new pieces with the cubic inch waterjet into them. These will probably get buggered up by the time I get to the end of the project. Steve's Comet has a 427 and runs 8.80's so using the water pump studs is working for him.

My mock-up pictures.

[My427stang]

Of course it seems like the 2x 3/8 bolts on each side would be weaker than the 2x 7/16 motor mount bolts, or more, depending on the motor mount, but it is plenty.

Remember that the torsional force will be spread over two sets of mounts now, both the front of the engine and the mid mount.  A stock configuration only uses the engine mounts for significant strength in that direction.  It'll be plenty strong as said before

[gdaddy01]

something else for Jay to do ?

[Towd56]

My project isn't finished but here are my motor plates. I drew them in CAD and had S&W Chassis waterjet them for me. I copied the idea from my buddy Steve McBlane and his '65 Comet NSS. When I finish I probably will make new pieces with the cubic inch waterjet into them. These will probably get buggered up by the time I get to the end of the project. Steve's Comet has a 427 and runs 8.80's so using the water pump studs is working for him.

My mock-up pictures.

Those are nice looking Doug. What is your project?

[blykins]

I've used this style as well on bracket engines.

[MeanGene]

There are a couple other way if you want more strength, you can use a boat front cover with legs that you can cut down to whatever length you need, Nicson, Glenwood etc. There are also some timing covers with the whole lower end being a flat plate, again some boat stuff by H & M, and if you really want strong, there is a cast iron truck cover with the flat plate, you just have to get the right one with the FE-size seal- 330MD IIRC

[frnkeore]

Do you have a picture of the plate that you want to use?

[fairlaniac]

My project isn't finished but here are my motor plates. I drew them in CAD and had S&W Chassis waterjet them for me. I copied the idea from my buddy Steve McBlane and his '65 Comet NSS. When I finish I probably will make new pieces with the cubic inch waterjet into them. These will probably get buggered up by the time I get to the end of the project. Steve's Comet has a 427 and runs 8.80's so using the water pump studs is working for him.

My mock-up pictures.

Those are nice looking Doug. What is your project?

1964 Comet. I haven't done much in the past year. Built a stroker 427 for my '66 Fairlane which took time and financial resources from the Comet project. Gotta pull it back out soon to address a rear main leak. Hoping to get back on it by Feb.

[turbohunter]

So cool

[jayb]

Some people have used the extra holes in my timing cover as mounts for a motor plate.  There are five 5/16-18 holes available, and they are reinforced in the casting.  They weren't really designed for that but some folks apparently have made them work.  The timing covers are pretty heavy duty...

http://www.fepower.net/Products/fetc.html

[ToddK]

My set up uses the water pump holes, but I use studs. Not sure if it makes it any stronger, but I made sure the part of the stud where the motor plate sits is full diameter, not threaded. I also have studs through the motor plates for the mount for the vacuum pump and the alternator that thread into the block and head on their respective sides.