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Tio Pancho

  • Karma: +11/-0
Engine mounts
« on: May 17, 2009, 02:07:44 PM »
Newbie beat to death question I know, but I need the help! Need to know how far forward from the front of the u-joint the mounts on the stringers should be. We will be installing a 454 (don't know gen. see pics). The dimension of the block is 23 5/8". Both mounts have the flat surfaces (without the gussets) facing the same way - toward the front of the boat. the dimension from flat surface to flat surface is the same as the block 23 5/8". The dimension from the flat surface of the front mount to the back side of the rear mount is 24 3/8". This would allow for 3/8" mount plates. The rear mounts also have the heads of the bolts showing, not the thread portion like the front mounts which allow for more clearance. I am wondering if whoever installed these inteded to put the mount plate on the back of the rear mount by the gussets.

As for the u-joint clearance - The distance from the face of the u-joint to the front of the rear mounts (flat surface) is 2 1/4".
We would like to get the mounts correctly installed before we foam and glass in the upper portions so that we don't have to cut it back open again.


We really appreciate all your help.

Frank
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Oldsquirt

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: Engine mounts
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2009, 07:37:36 PM »
Frank, the cast aluminum mounting feet you have are designed to be used with cast aluminum mounting plates like the ones here at Rex Marine, for example. They were not intended to be used with flate aluminum plate-type fabricated motor plates.
With the cast motor plates, the surface the mounting feet bolt to is 1/2" BEHIND the bellhousing face and 1/2" AHEAD of the front face of the block. That means a BBC will have a mounting foot spacing of approx 24.6"(23.6" for motor and 1/2" at each end) from front of front foot to front of rear foot.

By the dimensions you gave for those feet, I suspect the previous engine was an Oldsmobile. One positive is that the Olds and Chevy should be the same distance from the pump IF they both were/are used with flywheel or both were/are used with flexplate. Most Olds seemed to use a flywheel. If your BBC uses a flexplate, you should be OK, but don't let the driveline run too far from full engagement on pump shaft. The best approach here is to get the correct mounts for the BBC, as well as the flexplate/flywheel you plan to use and the appropriate PTO and bolt everything together for a test fit. MAKE SURE THE DRIVELINE DOES NOT BOTTOM OUT ON THE PUMP SHAFT! A 1/4" or so from bottomed out is about right.

EDIT: Just pulled out some notes on a previous boat and found that the Olds mount spacing was ~25.25" so Im not sure what those mounts would have fit. Notch for starter is also on the wrong side for an Olds. Maybe it was a Ford 460? Still start by bolting up the parts you plan to use and then bolt the bellhousing to the rear feet and see where that leaves you.
« Last Edit: May 18, 2009, 07:45:32 PM by Oldsquirt »
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Tio Pancho

  • Karma: +11/-0
Re: Engine mounts
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2009, 07:55:33 PM »
Thanks for the info OS. I also saw in an old thread that Jim Brock has a jig for setting up BB Chevy's. Could I still use that jig or would I need to get the cast mounts and use those to determine offsets etc? I checked out the pricing on the Rex website - OUCH!
At least they are right next door if we do have to  buy them new.  Anyone got a set laying around they are wanting to get rid of?
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TJS Nordic

  • Karma: +2/-0
Re: Engine mounts
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2009, 08:09:34 PM »
When I bought my Nordic it did not have an engine in it but the previous owner had a Big Block Ford in it. It came with a Ford rear mount plate. I put a Big Block Chevy in it and mounted the block the old school way with level(digital), tape measure and wood wedges as jacking blocks. The cast feet needed a lot of "adjusting". Take the link and you can see how I did it. I wish I had a plastic engine block to do this.
T.J.

http://www.tjsperformance.com/jetboat_tech2.htm

Oldsquirt

  • Karma: +1/-0
Re: Engine mounts
« Reply #4 on: May 18, 2009, 08:35:14 PM »
Thanks for the info OS. I also saw in an old thread that Jim Brock has a jig for setting up BB Chevy's. Could I still use that jig or would I need to get the cast mounts and use those to determine offsets etc? I checked out the pricing on the Rex website - OUCH!
At least they are right next door if we do have to  buy them new.  Anyone got a set laying around they are wanting to get rid of?

Not sure if Jim's jig would work but might be worth a call.
Rex Marine is a good place. Very helpful staff. I usually stop in everytime I find myself in SoCal, and order from them fairly often even though I am within driving distance of a similar shop (CP Performance) here in NorCal

You should be able to find a set of the mounts used and probably reasonably local.  I have a set left over after converting to a rail set up. If you can't find something closer, let me know. Just think shipping would be rather pricy due to size.
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Tio Pancho

  • Karma: +11/-0
Re: Engine mounts
« Reply #5 on: May 18, 2009, 08:38:25 PM »
I will be heading up to the Merced area in late June. Are you anywhere in close to that area? We would be willing to drive a little to save a few bucks.

Frank
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GT Jets

  • Karma: +192/-0
Re: Engine mounts
« Reply #6 on: May 18, 2009, 08:48:11 PM »
There is a much easier/faster way.  ;)

When I do these now, I made a spool out of some Spicer parts that I installed between the pump spline and the PTO, its welded so it's solid.

You can then use a bottle jack under the front of the motor (I normally use a block with a crank only) and a feeler gauge to tell you where you need to be....Works like it's illegal.  :sly:

The jig is awsome when you have one, I, like a dipshit, sold mine when I closed my shop...... :banghead:

GT
  • Boat #1: 1992 Carrera 20.5 Elite (I/O bitches)
  • Boat #2: 19' Bubble deck Jet BBC Berkeley
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If i get some free time tonight at work, ill play with it and post it for everyone to see.

Time to man up and yank it John!  :banghead:
Ray

Sanger Pete

  • Karma: +3/-0
Re: Engine mounts
« Reply #7 on: May 18, 2009, 08:48:53 PM »
TP
Looks like a mark IV block to me--has fuel pump blocked off. Also, I have a set of 23.5" wide motor plates that came with an old boat I bought that would work for a rail mount set up. If they would work for you, I'd take the standard SJB $50 for them. My son is coming up for the weekend, and could transport them back to you--he lives in Azusa. Call me if you're interested.
Mark--"Sanger Pete"
(559) 917-1785
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Tio Pancho

  • Karma: +11/-0
Re: Engine mounts
« Reply #8 on: May 18, 2009, 08:51:25 PM »
Sounds good if they will work. I will give you a call tomorrow.

Frank
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