Rear motor mount bolt loose

[cliffblue]

2001 4.3 v6 alpha one. Was down under the motor on the right side redoing some wiring, I brushed against the head of the right rear mounting bolt and it moved. It's down all the way but loose I can just pick up on it. I couldn't feel or see the bottom end of the mount. What does it screw into? Is it threaded or is there supposed to be a captured nut or what? The left one is tight.

 

[alldodge]

Re: Rear motor mount bolt loose

There should be a spacer, 2 flat washers, one lock washer and a lock nut .500 by 20 thread

 

[cliffblue]

Re: Rear motor mount bolt loose

How do you get to this nut??? I'm sure the lazy s.o.b.s that worked on it last left it off. Thanks, Cliff

 

[alldodge]

Re: Rear motor mount bolt loose

I will not swear to it because I have not personnaly done it, but it appears to be slide in from the front opening in the housing. Look at the other side and see what it looks like. My guess is it may have vibrated loose and could be in the bildge, unless you just had the engine installed then they probably forgot it if its not in the bildge.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Rear motor mount bolt loose

Yes there is a slot that should hold a captured nut. The nut slides in with the open end facing up and the nylock end at the bottom. I hope you still have the washers, spacers and disc still captured on the bolt. If you do it's easier to fix. Either way you will need to pull the drive to recheck alignment. Once the drive is off loosen the other 3 mounts to lift things enough to put the stack back in there properly.
I don't think you will be able to slip the bolt past the mount and get it started in the nut without backing off the other mount hardware tension. If it won't line up you might have to give the engine a shove to get everything in place. If it still won't go you might need to do a partial lift of the motor so it will move to where you need. Once everything is started, torque, check engine alignment, and install the drive.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Rear motor mount bolt loose

 

[cliffblue]

Re: Rear motor mount bolt loose

Thanks for the pic Bt. Yeah, it's all there except the nut. The bolt will slide up enough to get it in I think, it moves freely. It's not in the bilge. Is this a standard 1/2" fine thread nylon locknut? Is the speedo tube supposed to go over the bell housing or under it? The lazy guys that pulled the engine to replace the transom didn't reattach anything they didn't have to. I bet they got the engine back in, then realized the nut wasn't there and just said screw it. I've been under and around it from 8am till 8pm. Thanks NJ. P.S., how can I zoom in on the pics here?

 

[cliffblue]

Re: Rear motor mount bolt loose

Ha! Stabbed that bad boy first try. Now to find the torque and check the engine alignment. Oh yeah, I can see a zerk fitting on the tube leaving the engine. Is this for greasing the splines?

 

[cliffblue]

Re: Rear motor mount bolt loose

A side note to Don, Chris and 04 who guided me through the first engine alignment, my bad that I did not catch this loose mount the first time around. Here's to a better 2nd shot at it.

 

[cliffblue]

Re: Rear motor mount bolt loose ( This ended well )

Re: Rear motor mount bolt loose ( This ended well )

To all that followed me through the first alignment, Can you believe it? I pulled the outdrive a second time today. Loosened the top nuts on the front motor mounts. Torqued down the loose right rear mount and checked the left rear one. Following the great advice from the gurus the tried their best to guide me through the first alignment, I lifted the motor to balance the weight on the front mounts again. I guessed the setting to start with and hit it dead on the first try. the alignment bar slid in and out with two fingers on 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees. Tightened down the front mounts and no change! Thank you Don and Chris for taking the time to share your expertise.