How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

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bhiggins2
Posts: 140
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:54 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.0 Coupe

How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Post by bhiggins2 »

On pre-1990s 4 cylinder Alfa Romeos, if you can't get a finger between the front sway bar and the crank pulley - then your engine mounts are shot and need replacing. Is there any reference point that can be measured to indicate it is time to change the engine mounts on a 1967 Dino coupe? I'm going to assume that as engine mounts compress, the exhaust headers get closer to the ground. Also, on my car [radiator and front grill is removed] there is no way to get a straight shot at the crank pulley nut with an impact wrench as the front cross member is in the way. I want to replace the front crank oil seal. Is there a relationship between the center of the crank pulley and the front cross member that might be an indication of worn mounts? If the rubber engine mounts need replacing, is there a trick to doing it without removing exhaust headers? Thanks, Ben.
Dario
Posts: 117
Joined: Fri Nov 29, 2013 12:18 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Coupe

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Post by Dario »

Hi, you can jack up one side of the engine and remove the engine mount without undoing the headers. Depending on your exhaust, you many need to loosen the 3 in 1 to get some wiggle room. Then you can check what shape it's in and replace if necessary. Not sure that the replacements available are really that good. With the engine mount out, it's actually pretty easy to remove the headers and access the starter motor.
Good luck,
Dario
4cambob
Posts: 111
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2016 9:19 am
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.0 Coupe

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Post by 4cambob »

Where are you buying the replacement mounts from, and are they the original type or the round type.
bhiggins2
Posts: 140
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:54 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.0 Coupe

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Post by bhiggins2 »

How do you determine "what shape the engine mounts are in"? Obviously if the rubber has separated from the metal, it is time to replace, but In my experience, engine mount usually compress over time, lowering the engine in the chassis. Do you measure the height of the rubber part of the mount or use some other reference point for example when the crank pulley is "X" mm below the front cross member, or the headers have "Y" amount of clearance below the central cross member?
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ThomasK
Posts: 187
Joined: Mon Dec 30, 2013 12:44 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Coupe

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Post by ThomasK »

Hi, I would not try to make a science out of it:
- if rubber and metal start to split
- if the rubber has cracks
- if the rubber is at the sides not flat
=> you should replace them.

Especially as they cost less than 100 Euro/pair.

KR Thomas
bhiggins2
Posts: 140
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:54 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.0 Coupe

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Post by bhiggins2 »

Replaced engine mounts. Height of new mounts is significantly higher than old worn out mounts [side by side photo]. While replacing mounts I noticed a small crack in the metal part of engine mount on passenger side, so I removed them for inspection. I found several cracks [see photos] in both mounts. Is this common? MIG welded up cracks and powder coated them. Ben.
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bhiggins2
Posts: 140
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2020 5:54 pm
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.0 Coupe

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Post by bhiggins2 »

Forgot to attach photo of rubber mount portion of new vs old engine mount.
Ben.
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abarth4
Posts: 73
Joined: Wed Nov 27, 2013 3:55 am
Dino: Fiat Dino 2.4 Spider
Location: USA Midwest

Re: How do I know if engine mounts need replacing?

Post by abarth4 »

Take a look at a string I participated in called "Fiat Dino 2400 Coupe - Drivetrain vibration" viewtopic.php?f=4&t=25
Motor mount brackets are prone to cracking. I had some fabrication work done on mine (photos in the discussion string). Seems to be more prevalent in the 2.4 cars, but certainly could occur on the 2.0's.
Charlie Bates
Metamora Illinois, USA
Fiat Dino Spider 2400 #1186
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