In my shop we have had to install new engines in our new frames for 1955-1957 Chevy and 1953-1956 F100 trucks. The Chevy got a Nortstar and the Ford got a 1999 Lighting 5.4 Modular. This is the solution I came up with for both, slightly different takes on the same theme. This is the Lightning engine.
What I did was cut a "socket" from 1.25 CR bar stock to bolt to the engine. Then I used some 1" X .188 wall DOM tubing to connect the two. Then using annother piece of the same 1" tubing and a slice of 1 1/4" schedule 80 pipe and a four bar bushing (pn ENE9002G from energy suspension) and TIG welded it all up.
Hey, even us high tech pros still use low tech solutions. Actually I make up a U shaped brace out of 2" X 1/4" strap and place it under the oil pan rails to support the engine off the crossmember. Maybe that will be tech for tommorow!
The craftsmanship of your mounts is beautiful. What I'm trying to picture is how the weight of the motor is transferred to the frame. It looks like all of the load is trying to tear that one weld apart at the end of the tube. Seems like the tube that is running horizontal should be at an angle downward to transfer the load. It would be in compression instead of tension wouldn't it? Am I missing something? Dan
Your not missing much here cougdan, what you may not know is strength of materials. The weight of this engine is under 700 pounds even with the blower set up on it. Each side should be able to withstand double that. I have been doing mounts of this type for quite some time and have supported things like blown iron HEMIs before. By puting the "arms" out horizontal I can get better clearance for steering and other vitals on the the driver side. If you notice both engine mounts are the same here. I made up a jig for just one and it happens to fit both sides. To finish the mounts I will fabricate a pair of ears that will rise up from the crossmember. Stay tuned!
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