More on motor mounts

[Ryan Turner]

I believe I've figured out the problem with my motor mounts (see earlier post on 1/9/00). In the process I learned some information that may be useful to CD owners. I called the folks at Westerbeke (they bought Universal some years back) for advice. Found out that the former owner replaced the forward mount with some mount that was not original (probably substandard) equipment. Also found out that mounts need to be replaced periodically because the rubber in them looses its' supple characteristics after years of living in a warm engine room. When the rubber gets hard the engine vibration gets transmitted to all hardware near the engine which can cause undue stress. So even if the mounts aren't broken they should be replaced once in awhile. Just thought people might want to know. I think motor mounts aren't something CD owners pay much attention to.

Anyway, I bought three new mounts and will be installing them this weekend. I know I'll have a few bruises and scratches after tackling this project.



rturnertec@aol.com

[Tom]

</LI>

I believe I've figured out the problem with my motor mounts (see earlier post on 1/9/00). In the process I learned some information that may be useful to CD owners. I called the folks at Westerbeke (they bought Universal some years back) for advice. Found out that the former owner replaced the forward mount with some mount that was not original (probably substandard) equipment. Also found out that mounts need to be replaced periodically because the rubber in them looses its' supple characteristics after years of living in a warm engine room. When the rubber gets hard the engine vibration gets transmitted to all hardware near the engine which can cause undue stress. So even if the mounts aren't broken they should be replaced once in awhile. Just thought people might want to know. I think motor mounts aren't something CD owners pay much attention to.

Anyway, I bought three new mounts and will be installing them this weekend. I know I'll have a few bruises and scratches after tackling this project.

Ryan, there aren't very many questions that stump this board, but yours did. Thanks for the info on the potential cure and let us know if it works.



TomCambria@mindspring.com

[Jeff Schmoyer]

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My Yanmar YSM 8 is in definitely need of new mounts, and I'm interested in a low cost and/or DIY fix.

Are you finding this a job where you have to pull the engine? Or can you replace them 1 at a time while the other three hold the engine up?
I guess a shaft re-alignment is inevitable after doing this?

Let us know how it comes out.

Jeff



Jeff.Schmoyer@iff.com

[Ryan Turner]

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I am definately going to do it myself. After paying high-priced mechanics to do work like this before and getting poor quality work I'm pretty sure I can do at least as good a job and consider that I'm paying myself along the way. Although I fully expect a few scratched knuckles and bruised ribs it's not that big a deal. Just disconnect the engine from all rigid things (mounts, exhaust, prop shaft, etc.) then lift it using a block and tackle suspended from a 4X4 placed across the companionway. Remove and replace the old mounts then set the engine down and align it to the prop shaft. Aligning that engine is definately a difficult and frustrating task but even still it beats being at work. I'll repost when the job is done (hopefully with a story about how smooth and easy it was).

Ryan



rturnertec@aol.com