Float-A-Motor Question

[jtucker]

I am trying to install a Float-A-Motor. The spacers for the rear engine mount seem too long. The installation diagram shows them going through the rubber pad and the frame, but the nuts will not tighten properly. Should the FAM casting be drilled o accept the spacer?
I would appreiate any suggestions.

 

[ModelA29]

Here is an old article that may address your problem

 

[jak]

Float a motor kits use a shorter spacer as the kit only uses one rubber frame pad. If you are trying to use the original length spacer it will never tighten up.

 

[Y-Blockhead]

Here is an old article that may address your problem

Good info, the Model A Times had some good, informative articles.

 

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I am trying to install a Float-A-Motor. The spacers for the rear engine mount seem too long. The installation diagram shows them going through the rubber pad and the frame, but the nuts will not tighten properly. Should the FAM casting be drilled o accept the spacer?
I would appreiate any suggestions.

My suggestion would be to throw them away and reinstall factory engine supports. By using FaM mounts, you have effectively removed 25% of the frame's crossmembers, ...on a frame that is already known for being too weak to begin with. FaM mounts affect steering, braking, vehicle motion, and rigidity of the vehicle.

 

[jw hash]

I`m with Brent. My late 31 SW four door came with float a motor. it broke the gas line three times. the engine moves around to much. I have three new sets in the box. if someone wants one cheap.

 

[JayJay]

My suggestion would be to throw them away and reinstall factory engine supports. By using FaM mounts, you have effectively removed 25% of the frame's crossmembers, ...on a frame that is already known for being too weak to begin with. FaM mounts affect steering, braking, vehicle motion, and rigidity of the vehicle.

Brent, that’s another one of your very good observations, and one I had not considered. My ‘31 (my current driver) has FAM, while my ‘30 (under restoration) does not. I initially figured I’d put FAM in the ‘30 during my quest to build the perfect touring car but now maybe not. Perhaps the Burtz engine I’m building will be sufficiently smooth that I won’t need them.

 

[Bob Bidonde]

The problem I see with Float-A-Motor mounts is that the users only install the rear mounts. The front mount and transmission mount are omitted, so the engine support system is structurally inadequate. The front Float-A-Motor mount is especially important.

 

[alexiskai]

The problem I see with Float-A-Motor mounts is that the users only install the rear mounts. The front mount and transmission mount are omitted, so the engine support system is structurally inadequate. The front Float-A-Motor mount is especially important.

I'm interested in this. Make the case for the front FAM mount, why is it important? I know the front FAM mount is structurally very similar to the Model B front mount, in the sense that it consists of a metal bracket that sits on the cross-member with a rubber component between them. The early 1928 front mount was also similar to this system, but without the rubber.

 

[Bob Bidonde]

The front Float-A-motor mount supports the weight of the engine, it reacts most of the engine's torque, it reacts the vertical forces of the engine due to clutch engagement, it reacts the thrust loads of the drive-line and its stiffness affects the vibration response of the engine. Off all of the Float-A-Motor mounts in the set, the front mount is structurally the most supportive.