Engine Torque Strap Ideas?????

[real57vetteguy]

Hi guys,

I am going through round 2 of modifications to my 65 Olds 442. Round one went well with only a few minor bugs to work out, but one that I am stumped on is this:
I am running a 468 BBO, this time we are going with a roller cam, CNC ported heads etc etc. Before the teardown this fall the car ran really good but you all know that never ending search for HP. Last time out I had issues with the engine moving a little more than I would like it to, that 455 with headers is a TIGHT fit any way you go about it, in reverse my headers are banging into the steering shaft, in drive it was pressing the header into the A-Arm. I would like some ideas for torque straps/limiters that will look good as well as function to stop the motor from moving as much in reverse and forward. This is a street car and I want to keep the vibration down to a minimal.



Thanks

[TheJakeLSX]

Could you do an extra motor Mount like this some how and put rubber bushings between that and the frame to minimize vibration? Or won't something like this work?

[astroracer]

An effective torque strap will still transmit vibration, although intermittantly as it is working... On the van I plan to use one solid mount on the drivers side with a poly mount on the passenger side and a poly trans mount. I got the suggestion from someone here. Should work great and it will keep the drivers side from moving around.
Mark

[83hurstguy]

You can also drill the center of the Olds motor mounts and put a bolt and nut with washers there to keep the mount from pulling apart/separating. Otherwise, use a turnbuckle with rod ends to one of the front accessory mount bolt holes on the drivers side, weld some tabs to the frame.

[sccacuda]

You can also drill the center of the Olds motor mounts and put a bolt and nut with washers there to keep the mount from pulling apart/separating

^^This works well. You can use a Stover or Nylock nut to to leave the bolt slightly loose, preloaded, or anywhere in between. That part you have to play with to avoid NVH.

[real57vetteguy]

I could do something like this and fab up something to where it functions for the Oldsmobile

http://www.cheperformance.com/prod-204.htm

[chevnut55]

I have a torq brace from summit on my pro st 55 with a 1200 hp blown big block, but it also has all solid mounts. I don't mind noise and vibration but it does not seem to make much for what is anyway.
I have seen plenty of cable straps used.

[sam 74]

i've used steel cable, turn buckles, chain, solid mounts, and now a motor plate, everyone of these transmit some sort of vibration. there are a few companies that sell torque staps for the Olds 455, but i really like the motor plate, it also serves to stiffen up the front end along with holding the motor firm in place, i've broken a few motor mounts with my 455 and the last time that happened it took out the air cleaner on the hood.

[andrewb70]

I've use a motorcycle ratcheting strap on the driver's side. It won't transmit any vibrations and will gently stretch as it keeps the engine in place.

Andrew

[TheJDMan]

Back in the 70's there were not a lot of choices for motor mounts like there is today. I can remember my dad purchased a new 69 GMC C15 and a year or so later the LH engine mount broke while towing our boat. He had the mount replaced under warranty and the dealership also added a tie down cable on the LH side. Apparently that was a factory fix for broken mounts.

[vette427-sbc]

A well balanced motor with solid motor mounts will not vibrate your teeth out like the myth has said for so long... I have solid motor mounts on my corvette and my fathers '55 chevy. You would never guess they had solid motor mounts. There was a very noticeable difference in ride (for the better!) due to the additional frame stiffness.

[Twentyover]

Back in the 70's there were not a lot of choices for motor mounts like there is today. I can remember my dad purchased a new 69 GMC C15 and a year or so later the LH engine mount broke while towing our boat. He had the mount replaced under warranty and the dealership also added a tie down cable on the LH side. Apparently that was a factory fix for broken mounts.

IIRC, it was a factory recall for stuck throttles resulting from broken motor mounts