How to hold a Merc 312 down?

S

SteveInMissouri

Junior Member
Hi All,

I am in the middle of a Merc Montclair power train project. I am finishing off all the pumps and bolt-ons, before dropping it in. I thought I was covered by taking a lot of pictures before I dis-assembled the thing. I guess I missed on taking some pictures of the motor mounts. They are shaped close to the shape of a "C" and I am not sure if the open part of the "C" is pointed to the front of the car or towards the back. They will bolt up either way.

Has someone got any advice that they could help me out with?

Thank You.
 
If you put the open "C" pointed forward, the engine will be 2" forward of the normal position. It makes for more room to work on the distributor, though. :)
 
40cpe said:
If you put the open "C" pointed forward, the engine will be 2" forward of the normal position. It makes for more room to work on the distributor, though. :)
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However, be prepared to remove your fan spacer so it wont hit the radiator, probably need to get a aftermarket fan spacer that is more shallow than the original. Also be prepared for some modifications to the transmission frame crossmember mount, as the original setup is does not lend itself to adjustment. Also may require re-adjusting length of your shift lever rod(s) regardless of whether Cruise-o-matic or standard shift. What about your power steering hoses? do they have enough free-play to account for the additional 2 inch length? Geee, what else. Could be plenty more ramifications involved with sliding an engine forward in a car frame, just can't think of others right now.
 
Just thought of somethin else. Your exhaust manifold outlets will no longer mate with their exhaust pipes if you slide the engine forward 2 inches.
I would also be wary of driving the car with the original driveshaft too, now, since the front yoke will have 2 inches less bite into the trans output shaft.
Okay, I quit, before I accidentally think of somethin else!
 
My '55 came to me with the engine "slid forward". First indication was no clearance between the oil filter and crossmember. Then I found the clutch Z-bar not straight across between the frame and engine. I considered what it would take to move it back: Driveshaft, exhaust, transmission mount, move shifter hole in floor, etc. I corrected the Z-bar alignment and filter issue and am driving it. I suspect it was placed like that so the Tremek 5-speed shifter would go in front of the seat.
 
394930

Here is a picture of the Engine Mount on a 1956 Mercury. It is a bit hard to see, but as mentioned above, the open part is at the rear.
 
I put safety bolts in my motor mounts. Drill two 5/16 holes through each MM, install a grade eight bolt and nut finger tight. Loosen the nut one revolution, then double nut it very tight. Then if the rubber breaks, the motor will stay in the car.
 
Ole Don said:
I put safety bolts in my motor mounts. Drill two 5/16 holes through each MM, install a grade eight bolt and nut finger tight. Loosen the nut one revolution, then double nut it very tight. Then if the rubber breaks, the motor will stay in the car.
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GOOD ADVICE HERE!, especially with the quality of today's aftermarket parts.

Nothing like taking off and watching the hood move ... :rolleyes:
 
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