Universal engine mounting system

[John Craig]

Texas Mounts??

What is the proper way to do this?  Aluminum pad thickness?  Bolt size?    35-45 size   59-60 size?  Is there something better? Easier?


When I was 15, I had an improperly mounted engine come lose & fly right by me. Never again!   

[Dick Pacini]

Windy Urtnowski has an excellent system.  A similar system is also sold by Brodak.

http://www.windyurtnowski.com/MTRMONT1.PDF

[Steve Helmick]

I am an admirer of the "New Mexico" engine mount plates publicized by the late Larry Cunninham. He showed a U-shaped slab of 1/8" aluminum. The really important thing is to countersink the bottom side of the plate and mount the engine to the plate with flathead screws, with flat washers and elastic lock nuts on top of the engine mounting lug. I have used simple strips of aluminum for the same objective...works very well.  Steve

[john e. holliday]

And using Larry's system of the U-shaped piece you can use different engines if you have several of them made.   You can also do the same with the individual pads.   I think 1/8 inch thick hard aluminum is sufficient no matter the engine size.   I myself do not like the clamping method without a pin going into the engine lugs to keep it in one place if the machine screws get loose.