How to mount an engine?

[ben711200]

Afternoon,

Sorry, I couldn't think of a better title to explain the problem.. I've got a FIRE engine that was mounted in a Punto engine bay by being 'hung' from mounts at either end of it with a steady at the back. I don't think there is going to be room for me to replicate this setup in the donor so I was wandering if anyone could see any issues with it being sat on mounts rather than hung from them. I'd want front and rear mounts for it to sit on (probably modifying the original Fiesta gearbox cradle/making a new one to bolt to the body in the same places) and have a steady at the cambelt end of the engine.

Essentially, I'd be replicating the mounting of the original Fiesta engine with a totally different engine. Anyone see any issues that a novice like me has missed?

Have google's finest 'Fiat FIRE engine' ;D

[Copey]

would have though being sat on mouts rather than suspended would make no difference

[rysz]

I have no idea, but will be VERY interested to see how this works! I have silly thoughts involving a VTEC and my 309...

Rysz.

[ben711200]

Thanks The aim is never going to be outright power (obviously, it's a 1.2 punto engine!) but reliability, driveability and a 5 speed 'box that fits between the chassis rails are high on the priority list. And it'll wind up Ford boys ;D

[jrevillug]

I can't see a problem - the mounts work fine with the Fiesta engine, and the forces will be similar whatever the engine is - as long as the block is strong enough in the places that the new mounts bolt to. TBH, I can't see it being a problem.

[DutyFreeSaviour]

*** Carefully - and check if it's too hot and could burn (ba boom - tish)

I'd say make sure the height is good for the driveshafts - don't put too much stress on the joints.......
So long as your engine mounts are beefy enough - you'll be fine.

Good luck - and PICS!

John

[ben711200]

Thanks guys. That's put my mind at rest

Jan 24, 2011 12:51:17 GMT DutyFreeSaviour said:

*** Carefully - and check if it's too hot and could burn (ba boom - tish)

I'd say make sure the height is good for the driveshafts - don't put too much stress on the joints.......
So long as your engine mounts are beefy enough - you'll be fine.

Good luck - and PICS!

John

Pics soon.. The fiesta will be changing hands from Becky to me in March. I'll be starting a new thread for it, since I'm the new owner in due course. There will be lots of pics, and lots of calls for help ;D

[Steve]

Shouldnt be too much hassle Ben

I'd be looking for any redundant castings on the block that you could hang the o/s engine mount off of but possibly trying to re-use the n/s g/box mount off the fiat unless as with the block there is some un-used castings to use. A good start of course would be hanging the engine&g/box in the bay at approx the right height and go from there

[nofrills]

you can get the 6 speed box from a mk2 punto sporting for that engine too.

[ben711200]

Jan 24, 2011 13:57:27 GMT nofrills said:

you can get the 6 speed box from a mk2 punto sporting for that engine too.

Bet it won't fit in a Mk1 Fiesta 'bay though ;D

Cheers guys Got it unloaded with the help of local RRer Mattmk1 and his dad. Work will commence on the loom when I've got the Passat through it's MOT this week.

[optima21]

wouldnt you be better off sitting the engine on mounts, because then if the mounts fail, the engine doesnt end up dropping to the floor an being a huge anchor, which can happen with suspended mounts.

[stevecrx]

Why don't you just use a zetec lump?

[Mystery Machine]

Jan 24, 2011 22:26:02 GMT stevecrx said:

Why don't you just use a zetec lump?

Because that's WAAAYY too obvious and predicatable.

All Ford owners seem to default to 'Stick a Zetec in'....and I am 99% sure that this is one of the many (good and valid) reasons Ben is going for a different engine.

[ben711200]

Jan 24, 2011 22:33:09 GMT Mystery Machine said:

Jan 24, 2011 22:26:02 GMT stevecrx said:

Why don't you just use a zetec lump?

Because that's WAAAYY too obvious and predicatable.

All Ford owners seem to default to 'Stick a Zetec in'....and I am 99% sure that this is one of the many (good and valid) reasons Ben is going for a different engine.

Amongst other things..

Everyone puts a Zetec in.
I don't need 130bhp in a daily driver that weighs the same as an empty fag packet.
I'm not into going fast
I want more reliability and efficiency
I want more gears
I want to fit them inbetween my uncut chassis rails
FIRE engines are wonderfully upgradeable with parts bin scavenging.
They are tiny and light enough for me to manhandle about the unit on my own.

I feckin' hate Fords. I'm improving this one

[RobinJI]

Plus to get a zetec on a 5 speed in a mk1 fiesta you have to chop the chassis legs about.

This might be of some interest to you Ben.

What width is your engine bay again?

[ben711200]

Thanks Robin, will have a proper look a bit later. I've got about 800mm to play with. The FIRE should just fit.

[RobinJI]

That's cool. I take it the 5 speed box is noticably narrower than the 6 speed in that mini then? To give some idea of scale, the 2 large bolt holes in the top of the minis subframes towers are 760mm apart.

[HARDCORE]

Jan 24, 2011 22:26:02 GMT stevecrx said:

Why don't you just use a zetec lump?

;D

[ben711200]

Jan 24, 2011 22:40:55 GMT RobinJI said:

Plus to get a zetec on a 5 speed in a mk1 fiesta you have to chop the chassis legs about.

This might be of some interest to you Ben.

What width is your engine bay again?

It would appear that I need to be a member to see the pics. The fact it's being squeezed into a mini is promising though ;D

The 6 speed box certainly looks wider, but I haven't measured. I've not got much room to play with as it is, unfortunately. A 6 speed MPI mk1 Fiesta would be amazing.

[RobinJI]

Ah, damn, didn't realise you needed to be a member on the 16v forum, is it just the pictures you cant see?





Like I say, the distance between the big bolt holes in the top of the turrets is 760mm. Looking at that compared to pictures of Liams mini, his k-series is only maybe 30mm wider. Might be another option worth considering if it'll fit, I'll try and measure it sometime for you.