Hot Rods Engine mount bolts won't line up

I pulled the motor out of my truck a few weeks ago and now I'm trying to get the thing back together. I have the motor back in the truck and on one side I have two out of three engine mount bolts in and on the other side I have only one in. I started the truck and drove it SLOWLY around the block hoping it would settle the motor onto the mounts but it didn't help. Any thoughts on how to get the holes lined up better? I am using the same bolts and engine mounts that I had in before. Thanks

Is it crazy to drive the truck with one grade 8 bolt mounted on one side and two on the other side of the motor?

 

Leave everything loose and drop it in, with both mounts loose you should be able to get them to sit to where you tighten all of them.

 

Big pry bar, centering punches, have a buddy lying on floor pushing around on trans tailshaft with feet...

 

what engine? what vehicle?

 

almost sounds like you removed the bolts that hold the mounts to the block to remove the engine-not a good place to take it apart.you need to have the rubber mounts bolted to the block before you set it in and then install the long through bolts[one on each side]when the engine is in place[this is the most common chevy type mount]

 

^^^^ That's what I would do. Lift the motor enough to bolt the mounts to the motor. They locate the motor to the bottom mounts. Then you just have to put the single long bolt through the mount on either side.

 

Yeah, they usually require a little persuasion, in my experience. As mentioned, bolt the mounts to the block first and then deal with the single long bolt. It might still require some prying and swearing to get it back in place, but it will go.

 

Moondog13 and Oldtom69 are right. There's no wiggle room on the block-to-mount holes. But there is on the mount bolted to the engine and the receiving mount on the cradle/frame. Plus, as was said, you only have two bolts to fight. And never tighten it all up until it is all in place.

 

A hint towards what engine and vehicle would be nice for sure...
Leaving bolts out will invite metal fatigue in the mounts and eventually lead to failure...if it doesn't simply fall apart and make you potentially lose control first.

 

make sure they are on the right sides , I have run across some mounts that look the same but if you look up the numbers they weren't and when put on would be off by about 1/16th to a 1/4"

 

All bolts need to be installed. They're there for a reason. If some are missing, stuff will break for sure.
If it were me , I would support the engine, unhook everything and start by hooking one end up loosely (either engine side or frame side) , then start lowering the engine down and hook stuff up loosely , using a pry bar or large screwdriver to persuade it. Once everything is in their place, tighten it up. You may just need some wiggle room .