NEED HELP Engine Install

[Patrick]

Need advice please....I have been fighting for about 2 1/2hrs trying to install LS1 in my '68 Camaro..

I have S&P Motor Mount Adapters, Energy Suspension Motor Mounts. The problem I am running into is lining up the Motor Mounts with the Frame Mounts... If I line up one side I am about 1/2" off on the other. It almost seems that either the Motor Mounts are wrong or the Frame Mounts are too wide (maybe poor QC from the manufacturer). The Motor Mounts are ENS-3-1114 and the Frame Mounts are for a SBC(from Year One).


Does anyone have any suggestions?

[ilovefirstgens]

well im going out on a limb here but might the frame mounts be for a z or ss (302 350) as opposed to the standard 327 mounts that the plates should bd based off of???

Ive actually got both, the 302/350 ones are still in there but if you would like i could get it out and get some pics.

And this thread scares the crap outta me since im gonna be droppin my ls1 in next weekend.

good luck!

[Patrick]

Pictures would be great. I ordered the Frame Mounts for a 327 SB; however I dont have the originals to compare. It was my understanding that All Motor Mounts and Frame Mounts were the same for SBCs.


As for your install, dont worry too much. Everything has been straight forward and relatively hassle free (except for this)...


Thanks,
Patrick

[Jim68nC]

I don't have experience with your current setup however; I once had a similiar problem using the energy suspension engine mounts for a small block into a truck that should have been straight forward.

The engine mounts simply would not flex enough to line up once tightened to the frame and engine (seperatly) before install. I ended up loosening the frame mounts on both sides (bolts still in the cross member; just loose as hell) then aligning the motor mounts together (with most weight still on the crane of course) and after all bolts in dropping the engine weight and finally tightening all the bolts.

I've never had alignment that tight before (or since) but I had never used those engine mounts before either. Keep in mind I am simply talking about a standard 350 into a standard 350 truck...weird imo - but just maybe similiar to what you have going on there. Either way - good luck.

/jim

[derekf]

The 307 motor mounts are different from the other motor mounts. They're shorter and wider, or they're taller and skinnier - one of the two.

3.1114 seems to be the short/wide one - base to bolt center distance is 1 3/4" and the width between the ears that go over the frame mount is 2 5/8". 3.1117 is the taller/skinnier one - it's 2 3/16" base-to-bolt (height) and the ears are 2 3/8" apart. If your frame mounts are less than 2 3/8" wide you may be using the wrong motor mounts.

(details on the motor mounts taken from here)

[68camaro396]

You are probably ok. That same thing was happening to me when I dropped my Big Block back into my 68. I was puzzled and getting more pissed every second.

Then a buddy of mine, said that it was probably the Poly bushings, so he said you just have to pound them in. I took the bolt and got it as close as I could and hit the head with a hammer and it slid right in with a couple of taps.

Good Luck.

[ACEFOOTER]

I agree with Jim,if you loosen the bracket to sub-frame bolts up is there enough wiggle room to get the bolts through? Good to know what I have to look forward to.

[Patrick]

I spoke with Ryan (Rybar) on the installation. It seems that the Motor Mounts- Energy Suspension -I am using have "torque plates". This plate causes just enough interferance to keep the mounts from lining up. The directions from E.S. say that you must use the torque plate. However, the S&P engine plates will substitute as the torque plate. Once I removed the plates, the motor dropped right in.



Hope this helps.