Engine block mount repair
Engine block mount repair
Author
Discussion

Jeff101

Original Poster:

63 posts

238 months

Friday 9th June 2017
quotequote all
After some advice please. The previous owner of my car used some very short bolts to attach the engine mount to the block (approx 10mm).
I am refreshing the car following a shunt and after engine removal the mount literally fell off. Picture of the damage below. You can see where the bolts were not deep enough into the block and have just snapped off the thin protrusion.

Can I just re-thread using the rest of the thread and what is left of the face to provide position. The theory being it was good enough for many years so should be fine again.

If not what are my options. No machining or welding kit so would need a machine shop. Can anybody recommend near Basingstoke or Reading?
Cheers


Edited by Jeff101 on Friday 9th June 19:18

robinessex

11,887 posts

205 months

Friday 9th June 2017
quotequote all
Scrap. Unless you know a friendly alumimium welder !

Megaflow

11,107 posts

249 months

Friday 9th June 2017
quotequote all
How much thread is left in the undamaged part of the holes?

If there is enough for decent engagement, 1.5xD, then I'd be thinking about grinding the damaged area back flat, and fitting some spacers to maintain correct bolt length and stretch.

GreenV8S

30,999 posts

308 months

Friday 9th June 2017
quotequote all
Block of wood and a ratchet strap? Engine mounts are over rated. smile

If the mount fails again and this side of the engine is left unsupported, does anything nasty happen?

Evoluzione

10,345 posts

267 months

Friday 9th June 2017
quotequote all
Looks like a relatively easy repair, if longer bolts don't do it can't you drill and tap deeper?

DVandrews

1,377 posts

307 months

Friday 9th June 2017
quotequote all
K series.. quite a common problem when installed in Caterhams, I would have it welded and retapped, then ensure the new mount surface is flat.

Dave

DVandrews

1,377 posts

307 months

Friday 9th June 2017
quotequote all
Evoluzione said:
Looks like a relatively easy repair, if longer bolts don't do it can't you drill and tap deeper?
behind the end of those holes is a void into the crankcase as the long bolts lurk there..

Dave

E-bmw

12,417 posts

176 months

Saturday 10th June 2017
quotequote all
Blob of Belzona, drill, tap file new mount hole, there is plenty of solid metal/thread depth left behind, so use the longest bolts you can afterwards, it will be fine.

Sardonicus

19,341 posts

245 months

Saturday 10th June 2017
quotequote all
Get it Tigged up (easily done) then re-drill and re-tap I would not consider doing a stressed mounting like this any other way (inc epoxy etc) if you bodge it and it tears/holes further you may then have a scrap block frown no brainer for me

Gary C

14,773 posts

203 months

Saturday 10th June 2017
quotequote all
DVandrews said:
K series.. quite a common problem when installed in Caterhams, I would have it welded and retapped, then ensure the new mount surface is flat.

Dave
This.

Find a local specialist welder, it's suprisingly cheap.

Pulled an engine mount out of a Renault Clio (well, it connected to the gearbox). Alpha welding in morecambe did a great job and welded it up. They did say the poor quality of Ali used by motor manufactures made it harder, but it did the job and that was a whole chunk of the box, yours should be easier.

Jeff101

Original Poster:

63 posts

238 months

Saturday 10th June 2017
quotequote all
DVandrews said:
K series.. quite a common problem when installed in Caterhams, I would have it welded and retapped, then ensure the new mount surface is flat.

Dave
Well spotted Dave! You truly are a K Series Guru coolcool

Thanks for the advice all.

Can anybody recommend a good welder near Basingstoke/Reading