I have an fc with a HR front and the engine mounts are on the grill side of the crossmember frame....
Is that where they're meant to be for a 186 or should they be moved? will the HR tongue need to be bolted up too?
Any photos would be a great help
Here's a pic of mine when I fitted the motor, the mounts are all the way to the rear of the crossmember. this is how it came, if I was to do it myself I'd probably have put it forward another 10 to 15mm. There is little clearance between the head/block and the firewall. I also had to modify the firewall so the extractors weren't so close.
(http://i1.tinypic.com/mjxra0.jpg)
The exact info you need can be found here (http://www.fefcholden.org.au/techinfo/tech002.html), courtesy of Ken. The short answers are yes they need to be moved, and no you need an EJ/EH tongue.
cheers
RET
Ret is right, although any outrigger from fb-eh will do the job ;)
cheers blokes....
thanks for the photo
are the mounts hard to move?
or an even better idea.....
Are the crosmembers available on an exchange with moved mounts, new tongue, new ball joints etc?
can the standard FC steering links be used?
If you wallet is burning a hole in your pocket, I am sure Rares or CRS would do a changeover.
If not, cutting and welding need to be done for the mounts and tongue, if you can't weld, you can cut the stuff and take it to a local welder.
Ball joints are fairly easy to replace yourself.
I am sure most of the steering gear on mine is FC, apart from the steering arms and column.
with a modified car, it would be advisable to use the HR steering linkages rather than the FC as they are superior.
Ken
cheers ken.
Ret, I looked at the link you had in your post and it says nothing about moving the engine mounts. Is it absolutely necessary to move them? If not, will I need a custom drive shaft or new gear box mounts?
(running a 186 with 3 sp coolumn)
The engine mounts must be moved or the engine will be in the radiator.
The tech description does not mention engine mounts because it applies to grey motors, V8's as well as different 6 cylinder engines, so no specific details can be provided since they are all different.
Gearbox mounts depend on what gearbox you intend to run. Grey box can be mounted on the original rear mounts, all others will need a custom rear mount to sit on. Tailshaft also depends on gearbox selection. Once again grey box in original position will enable stock tailshaft to be used.
Ken
Cheers
forgot the radiator, dam cooling system.
best be grabing a bare red block to mark out where to put the new positioned mounts......
any tips on positioning or welding?
They're more or less reversed in location - grind off from the front of X-member, refit on opposite sides at rear.
cheers
RET
Where on the HR cross member would the engine mounts have to be if retaining the grey motor?
Would the be on the front edge of the member, or somewhere different?
Ray.
Hi Ray, remove red engine mounts completely!
but have to use the FB, EK (possibly EJ) outrigger, these have the holes for the grey front engine mount.
Matt
I've actually got an EK, and I'd like to keep the grey motor in it, but I like the idea of having a ball joint front end and disc brakes.
So all I'd have to do to the HR front end is get rid of the red engine mounts, and use my existing EK outrigger then?
I guess my EK swaybay will still fit too?
Ray.
Basically yes, but read the tech article for all the little issues that are involved.
Ken
Ray
If you are leaving the grey motor do not even worry about the red motor engine mounts just laeve them where they are.
John M
nes138 the mounts need to be moved back around 95 mm. Where are you located most conversion specialist charge around $250/$300 to move mounts and change out rigger with you supply the bits.
Cheers
Sarge
Thanks Mr T
I have a welder at work that I can borrow and am going to have a crack at it my self (and save cash)
I am usually a perfectionist when it comes to safety so if I cant get it right then I'll have to shell out for it