Engine fan hits shroud under load. Motor mounts shot?

[Clyde9]

From: mikekaidan  (Original Message)    
Sent: 7/29/2006 5:16 PM

Hello group!

Haven't been on for awhile, but when I first bought my 1980 Brave two years ago, this group saved me many times helping me understand the way of the winnie!

I "think" I know whats going on, but would like to run it past some of you and see if agree. As of last week, when ever I put a load on the engine (sand at the beach or driving up leveling ramps for instance) my radiator fan starts nicking the plastic shroud. I checked for lose parts but all seems intact. My opinion is, the motor mounts are shot and under torque is causing the engine to move just enough for the fan to hit. When I first purchased "Rinky Dink"... I was informed that the motor mounts probably should be replaced, but never had any problems until recently. So before I go through the process of even looking for the replace parts, wanted to run this past you all.... see if you have any other ideas.

Thanks guys.... this group is awesome!!!

Mike, proud owner of "Rinky Dink"

1980, Dodge 360, M-300 Chasis



From: Cooneytunes1   
Sent: 7/30/2006 7:23 AM

Mike, Welcome back, it sounds like you hit on the logical cause, the only other thing I could think of that would do that, might be a bad bearing in the water pump, causing the fan to move. But that would show itself very quickly, you would be leaking coolant at the pump and more than likely overheating.....since you checked for loose stuff already, I'd put my money on the MM's.....if the rubbers are dry-rotted, or maybe almost gone...I'd replace them ASAP....bad Motor mounts can lead to a lot of other drive train problems that could run into big bucks and it's not a real hard or expensive job.

good luck,
Timmy



From: mikekaidan   
Sent: 7/30/2006 10:13 AM

Thanx for your input! Don't think it's the water pump... although, don't know if I would have thought of that one... Guess I'll start the daunting task of looking for mounts... believe I saw a link or supplier someplace in another message string.

Cheers!
Mike



From: mikekaidan   
Sent: 7/30/2006 11:58 AM

I think I've found the correct motor mounts... anybody mind looking at mine and the one I found. I see I have one single bolt, but I though mine ran all the way through?.. what do you think, and all though my rubber looks cracked, do they really look that bad?... Thanx guys, appreciate it!



From: mikekaidan   
Sent: 7/30/2006 12:44 PM

Sorry guys... thought I did it right... here is the link to the pictures of the motor mounts... this is probably easier!

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mikekaidan/album?.dir=/b10fscd&.src=ph&.tok=phrS6QFBTIUWxGqq

Mike
Proud owner of Rinky Dink



From: Bill-n-Pattie   
Sent: 7/30/2006 11:02 PM

Mike,

Motor mounts should run you approx. $20.00 each. They are fairly easy to replace too. It’s worth the time & effort to keep her in good stander. You don’t want the fan to break the radiator fan shroud, THAT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE! If you have any other questions give me a shout

Bill-n-Pattie



From: denisondc   
Sent: 7/31/2006 6:13 AM

From your pictures, the motor mount looks correct. In the parts catalog it has the same part number for the motor mounts on the 318, the 413, and the 440, so I would assume the 360 could take the same ones too. Also from your pictures, the oil that has gotten onto the upper part of that motor mount bracket is probably what softened the rubber enough to give way.
Now you get to endure the job of changing the mounts. The nuts will be stiff to turn, there isn't much space for the wrench to rotate, and when the nuts are off you will have to jack up the engine from the oil pan to be able to get the old mount out. Be sure to use something between the jack and the oil pan, so you don't dent it. On some motor homes you might want to undo the engine cover so the air cleaner wont push up against it. And if your fan blade was scraping the shroud, then it might contact it when the motor is jacked up - just be sure its not enough to bend the fan blade. (A bent blade can unbalance the fan slightly, increasing the load on the water pump bearings).



From: Slantsixness   
Sent: 8/1/2006 10:43 AM

Wrong motor mounts.

What you need does indeed look like one bolt, however they are sandwich style and both studs do not connec. they are slightly offset.
the Motor mount you show is for 1967-74 motor homes M300/375/400, or a 1967-72 PW100/200/300
Here is what you really need:

Tom



From: mikekaidan
Sent: 8/3/2006 1:06 PM

As it turns out, the motor mount picture I showed did work out perfectly. And just as Dension described, hit in on the nose. Not much room to turn wrenches etc... but I got it done.

I was able to purchase both mounts for $9 each... total cost of $18, + two hours of my time turning bolts 1/8 of a turn at a time... Not hard, just slow and steady!

Thanx guys for your input!

By the way, what a difference. Outside of the fan no longer hitting the shroud, it feels so much better. Never thought I'd be able to actually feel the difference.

Off to Big Bear Lake this weekend... see ya on the road, or stop by and have a cold one on me!

Mike