Is the lower radiator hose too stiff?

P

Paul Bjarnason

Senior Member
On my '29 Tudor I have a stock front motor mount and Floatamotor rear motor mounts. As such, I expect the motor to move around a bit more than with the rigid stock rear motor mounts. I wonder if the stock lower radiator hose setup might be so stiff, such that the added freedom of movement of the motor, what with the Floatamotor mounts, might allow the motor to work the lower inlet on the radiator loose. Has anyone had this issue and had the lower radiator inlet worked loose? I am considering cutting off a few inches of the stock steel piece and using a longer section of rubber hose to allow more movement between the motor and the radiator. What does everyone think and has anyone had a problem with the Floatamotor mounts? Thanks in advance. Bj
 
My '31 has rear FAMs and stock front mount. No problems w/the lower rad hose.
 
BJ, are you having a problem w/it? Or just anticipating one?
 
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The most important Float-A-Motor mount is the front one (shown) that is structural. It reacts the engines vertical, horizontal & rotational tendencies to move. Using the stock front mount, that is a non-structural vibration damper, allows too much engine movement. The rear Float-A-Motor mounts connecting the engine to the frame react the engine's tendency to rotate. Because of the flexibility of the Float-A-Motor mounts to the frame, a third Float-A-Motor mount on the u-joint housing limits vertical motion of the transmission it gets from pushes & pulls of the torque tube.
 

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X6 JS. If your rear FaM are allowing so much movement that this is a question, perhaps you need to tighten them or replace the rubbers. I found that the bolts through the rubbers would loosen with vibration, allowing the engine to rock with torque, I put jam nuts on them (and new less stiff rubbers) and no further issues. You want those rear FaM to very slightly compress the rubbers (the torque spec is “bottom out, then a wiggle more”) allowing them to absorb vibration, but not allow movement. Over time the rubbers will go doughnut on you, allowing movement, and you need to take up the bolts. Wiggle them with your hand when you are under the car for lube, and if you can move them, tighten them.
 
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A car with FAMs at the rear and original mount at the front will have handling problems. The engine/gearbox unit is not held securely enough in position. The axles are located by the bell housing and the torque tube, both of which can move with this setup. The result is a car that handles like a bowl of soup. I had that setup for a while and when I went back to sold rear mounts, I couldn't believe the improvement.
 
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