FWD into RWD Vehicle - Engine Mount Question

[WhiteRaider]

Does anyone know what combination will work? Stocker engine mounts for the 2.8 - 3.4l are so cheap that I really don't like the idea of having to pay a couple of hundred bucks for some custom ones.

P.S. It's for a gen III 3100 engine.

[firechiken]

RE: FWD into RWD Vehicle - Engine Mount Question

FWD will not fit in RWD without some custom made pieces. What's it going in?

[WhiteRaider]

It's going into a Dodge Raider 4x4. People have successfully swapped 4.3l into the vehicle using stock 4.3l S-10 mounts and Camaro engine mounts. What I've heard is that the Camaro mounts will work on one side, but the other needs something fabbed.

I'll be picking my engine up from the freight dock tomorrow so I'll get to look at it closely, but was hoping that someone had some sort of set/combination of sets that would work.

Of course I know that I'll have to weld the feet to the frame. The guys that did the 4.3 swaps said that they just had to hammer one foot of the mount to get it flush with the frame, but otherwise it was pretty simple.

[geoffinbc]

4.3L's are very different engines. The mounts wont mate to any 60 degree v6 at all.

You will need to make custom mounts.

[WhiteRaider]

4.3L's are very different engines. The mounts wont mate to any 60 degree v6 at all.

You will need to make custom mounts.

That's what I'm trying to get away from if possible. I know the 4.3 and the 3100 are very different, but the 2.8 rwd was also a standard issue on the S-10 pickups. My logic was that if the factory mounts from a 4.3 worked, then there's a chance the 2.8 mounts would work, or the Camaro 2.8 mounts work for one side Lumina minivan mounts work for the other, something along those lines.

Some of the Isuzu guys used a block from an early 90s Lumina minivan to replace their 2.8l engines in their Troopers. Word is that one side of the block mounted up perfectly to the standard mounts, but the other had to be moved.

Anyway, I was just fishing for info. If I find a viable combo, I'll post it. I'll probably drive the parts guy crazy at Napa, but he'll get over it. Worst case I'll fab some, but my welding skills suck. I guess extreme worst case scenario, I'll cough up $200 for the killerbv6 mounts which look really nice, They're out of the spirit of my swap which is trying to keep costs very low. I'd like to use extra money for new rims and tires...

Cheers!

[bszopi]

Here is a topic on the issue from awhile back, although its a RWD into a FWD:

http://www.60degreev6.com/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=2849&highlight=engine+mounts

Unfortunately, the pictures aren't working. But if you do a search for pictures of the aluminum block, you should be able to see what is being discussed in that thread.

[geoffinbc]

Even though the 2.8L came in the s-10 the same time as the 4.3L the mounts were completly different. Both the mounts on the block and on the frame were different.

[WhiteRaider]

Just forget I mentioned the 4.3l - it's not important to this discussion. Just think about 60 degree blocks, I only brought it up to illustrate that GM engines can go into a Mitsubishi engine compartment with stock mounts based on frame spacing. I KNOW that the 4.3 is completely different and I KNOW that they have separate mounts and I HAVE NOT asked any questions about 4.3 mounts. I was just asking for information on FWD 60 degree stock engine mounts that work in a RWD truck. Welding frame mounts to the frame is a lot easier than fabbing a whole set of engine mounts.

I got the engine today. It's in the back of the vehicle. It shouldn't be difficult to find a set of mounts that will work. I'll post results after trying some stuff. In the meantime, if anyone knows of any good solutions, let me know.

Cheers!

[geoffinbc]

You brought it up

Here is what Camaro mounts look like http://members.shaw.ca/betterthanyou...aromounts1.jpg
Here are S-10 mounts http://members.shaw.ca/betterthanyou...-10mounts1.jpg

[Quintin66]

Your not gonna get away with anything but fabbin' your own. beleive me, I'm doing it too. You may take some off-the-wall mounts and custom fab engine and frame perchs for them, but that's just as much work as anything else.
Try these guys..... http://www.mountainoffroad.com/catal...shAssy/uba.htm

This is where I got my bushings to build my mounts. These guys build mounts for Rock Crawlers. They don't break.

[WhiteRaider]

Thanks for the link Quintin, it's much appreciated.

I was thinking of using Novak Conversions universals or trying to get him to fab something up for me. His mounts are pretty nice and made for 4x4s as well.

http://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/kit_mm29.htm

Cheers!

[farmerz24]

why not do something real cheap. i did this in a 84 nissan 4x4 (3100 soon to be m90ed). i used the lower cushion mount from the FWD and made a plate upfront behind the rad so the engine sits on this pillow mount below. now taking this one step furthur, i made 2 torq arms going to each side of the engine bay. 1 off the alty bracket, 1 off the stock fwd 3100 a/c torq mount. i just lengthed the stock dogbone and guess what it works well and only cost me my time. much cheaper and easier than either making rwd mounts or buying someones universal "kit".

the other benefit is without rwd mounts, there was more room for my longtube custom made headers. i can get pics if someone's interested.

[WhiteRaider]

the other benefit is without rwd mounts, there was more room for my longtube custom made headers. i can get pics if someone's interested.

That sounds pretty interesting. If it's not too much trouble, I'd appreciate the pics.

Cheers!

[farmerz24]

ok ill try to get some.. basically i think you understand what im saying tho eh>?