Centerline
Well-Known Member
The guys who run later Mopars, 66 on have an easy mod they can make to the driver's side motor mount that eliminates the need for a torque strap. Our mounts are a little different and don't as easily lend themselves to that exact mod. My installation will not lend itself easily to a home made torque strap because my AC compressor will be in the way, so reinforcing the motor mount seems the sensible way to go.
After spending some time reading how the later mod is done (link here: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=auldkin3miv7996f2auvtiec91&topic=13216.0 ) I decided to make my own version for use on the 440 going in my '64 Polara. The last thing anyone needs is to have their DS motor mount look like the one that was on the 383 I pulled out (top) when compared to the new one below:
The solution I came up with is to add a 1/8" plate with grade 8 bolts welded to the plate and going all the way through the mount to basically sandwich the rubber similar to how the later mod is done, but tailored to our mounts. Here's the plate with the appropriate holes drilled. The two holes in the center are for the motor mount bolts. The holes at the corners are for the 3/8" grade 8 reinforcing bolts.
After the bolts are welded here's how it mounts on the new motor mount.
Bottom side:
And top side:
Once the nuts are tightened the rubber section that tends to come apart during hard acceleration is now sandwiched between two steel plates by grade 8 hardware and should not come apart. This mod does raise the engine by 1/8" but that is nominal at best and there is plenty of adjustment available to compensate for this difference.
Disclaimer: I do not recommend this mod for "race" use. Its strictly a street mod. If you're going racing at least add a torque strap and/or spring for Polylocks or solid mounts.
After spending some time reading how the later mod is done (link here: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=auldkin3miv7996f2auvtiec91&topic=13216.0 ) I decided to make my own version for use on the 440 going in my '64 Polara. The last thing anyone needs is to have their DS motor mount look like the one that was on the 383 I pulled out (top) when compared to the new one below:
The solution I came up with is to add a 1/8" plate with grade 8 bolts welded to the plate and going all the way through the mount to basically sandwich the rubber similar to how the later mod is done, but tailored to our mounts. Here's the plate with the appropriate holes drilled. The two holes in the center are for the motor mount bolts. The holes at the corners are for the 3/8" grade 8 reinforcing bolts.
After the bolts are welded here's how it mounts on the new motor mount.
Bottom side:
And top side:
Once the nuts are tightened the rubber section that tends to come apart during hard acceleration is now sandwiched between two steel plates by grade 8 hardware and should not come apart. This mod does raise the engine by 1/8" but that is nominal at best and there is plenty of adjustment available to compensate for this difference.
Disclaimer: I do not recommend this mod for "race" use. Its strictly a street mod. If you're going racing at least add a torque strap and/or spring for Polylocks or solid mounts.
