<VV> Re: MOTOR FALLING OUT

[James Davis]

Belive it or not it is a fairly common failure on the 1965 and 
1966-69 motor mounts.  When the rubber to metal joint fails on the 
1965 style mount, the safety tab catches on the rear frame rail.  One 
big bump and the engine shifts forward 1/2 inch and the rear of the 
engine hits the ground.  In the 1966-69 mount, the ears that hold the 
engine's mounting bolts separate (metal fatigue) and the rear of the 
engine hits the ground.   Fortunately when the engine drops, it pulls 
the wires off the coil stopping the engine, although at 70 mph it may 
take a while for the car to stop.
On the early cars and FC's either the cotter pin is left out or the 
engine mounting bolt is replaced with a grade three bolt and castle 
nut and the threads pull out.
Jim Davis


At 07:44 AM 4/8/2006, Frank DuVal wrote:
>This was a real common failure back in the late 60's early 70's. The 
>Charlotte Observer even had a picture of a Corvair with the engine 
>falling out during this time. Just happened while I was visiting 
>relatives. You wouldn't think rustwould cause a failure because it 
>is protected by the rear plate. So it must just have been lots of 
>forgetful mechanics.
>
>Frank DuVal
>
>
>N2VZD at aol.com wrote:
>
>>we had a customer drive in to the garage years ago with the rear 
>>motor mount nut missing. he drove it about 15 miles like that 
>>including on the thruway . it shifted hard and ground the rear skid 
>>plate off badley but not much other damage that i can remember. i 
>>think the battery ground cable was doing a lot of holding. it was a 
>>64 coupe  with 4 spd. he always came to us for work on it after 
>>that one.  backyard helper must have left the cotter pin out.
>>regards, tim colson