Engine Mount Alignment Question

StangGrin · Sep 17, 2013

So.....after pulling the engine and tranny for some work, which included replacing beat engine mounts, I just got it all back together. Tonight I just noticed that the driver's side engine mount stud is not sitting in the same place it was before I did this work.

The questions I have are -

How bad is this?
Should I try to adjust it.
What would be the best way to adjust it?

I'm thinking I could remove the big engine mount nuts (both sides), disconnect a few things from the engine (CAI), unbolt the tranny from it's mount, and then using some pieces of 2x4 on the lip of the oil pan with a floor jack try adjusting how the engine is sitting.

So what are the thoughts out there about all of this?

As always, I look forward to your help.

Thanks,
Chris

duff daddy · Sep 17, 2013

The actual position isn't as important as the position of the engine in the bay. Is it pinching anything? rubbing? vibration/noise? if no then leave it its fine. Different mounts can fit differently, rubber or how you put it together can effect it. As long as nothing is pinched rubbing or binding, id just leave it.

RichV · Sep 17, 2013

Every time my mounts have come up like that, something was misaligned. Is the other side sitting where it should?

Wichers123 · Sep 17, 2013

It's okay they build wiggle room in the kmember if it don't bother you knowing then leave it alone. I have had my motor either way and nothing was bothered by it.

StangGrin · Sep 17, 2013

RichV said:
Every time my mounts have come up like that, something was misaligned. Is the other side sitting where it should?

Yep...the other side is exactly where it was before I pulled the engine. And I strongly suspect it's the very first time the engine has been out of this car.

MustangChris · Sep 17, 2013

what side is mis-aligned?

StangGrin · Sep 17, 2013

MustangChris said:
what side is mis-aligned?

It's the driver's side.

MustangChris · Sep 17, 2013

are your headers rubbing on your steering shaft?
valve covers smashed against the hydro-booster lines?
passenger side valve cover smashed against the air conditioner lines?
oil pan properly seated into the k member?

StangGrin · Sep 17, 2013

MustangChris said:
are your headers rubbing on your steering shaft?
valve covers smashed against the hydro-booster lines?
passenger side valve cover smashed against the air conditioner lines?
oil pan properly seated into the k member?

are your headers rubbing on your steering shaft? -- Nope
valve covers smashed against the hydro-booster lines? -- Nope
passenger side valve cover smashed against the air conditioner lines? -- Touching but not smashed at all.
oil pan properly seated into the k member? -- Yep, as far as I can tell. The oil pan isn't touching anything - K-member, steering rack, etc..

MustangChris · Sep 17, 2013

i suggest:
placing car on all 4 jack stands.
putting car into nutral.
unbolting the transmission mount, motor mounts, and x-pipe (at catback, not headers).
then seeing if it will settle properly.

RichV · Sep 17, 2013

I had to hook up the engine hoist, just a strap around the accessories, and lift/turn a little the last time I had it out.

MustangChris · Sep 17, 2013

i stared mine down into proper submission.

Stanimal · Sep 17, 2013

did you only replace the drivers side mount? it could be because of new rubber on that side only.

StangGrin · Sep 18, 2013

MustangChris said:
i stared mine down into proper submission.

I tried that with installing the transmission...didn't go so good. But then again I was new at it and I think it knew that...so it just laid there.

StangGrin · Sep 18, 2013

Stanimal said:
did you only replace the drivers side mount? it could be because of new rubber on that side only.

I replaced both mounts. Since I had the engine out for other work I figured may as well...and they needed replacing. They had to be original.

StangGrin · Sep 18, 2013

Well, the engine mounts are aligned now. I can't believe how easy it was. I just -

Got the car on 4 jack stands.
Loosened the transmission mount quite a bit.
Removed the big honkin' engine mount nuts.
1. I know that compared to a semi these aren't big honkin' nuts
Using a piece of wood as a pad, used the floor jack to raise the engine at the passenger side front corner of the oil pan lip.

When I did that the driver's side engine mount just dropped right into place. Yeah...so I was laying under the car cheering. So both alignment nibs are in the exact place place on each side.

Unfortunately, I'll have to wait until I put in the lowering springs before I can tighten the driver's side nut to spec. With the mount in the correct place now I can't get a torque wrench on it...or any real wrench, for that matter.

So thanks again for all your suggestions and encouragement. It's really appreciated.