Never say can't be done :) I call this the Trapezoid motor mount.
The spheres represent ball joints. This is a similar to a front
suspension design I did for one of Craig Breedloves land speed record
cars. It is also similar in a very subtle way to a stock Continental bed mount.
Unfortunately Continental did not use ball joints and left some minor
bending loads in the joints so the mount had to be beefed up over the
years to fix the cracks.
It will fit just about any Long EZ. The brown plate
represents a rigid engine. Note the total lack of lateral bracing
below the engine. That function is done by a simple horizontal link from the
front of the engine to the firewall.
The problem is deflection in the rubber mounts allow the engine to move
laterally and simultaneously rotate about a vertical axis a small amount under
the influence of gyroscopic prop loads. In other words the thrust line will
wag the dog.
It might work anyway depending on the radial stiffness of the rubber bushings
but IMHO it is too far out for most people. On the other hand they
will buy a Continental mount without understanding its flaws.
Paul Lamar
Paul, Looks a lot like panhard rods for the engine mount! I think you
would still need at least a single triangulation rod to the front. If you
didn't use one then the front/rear of the mount (where the barry mounts
are) could move laterally. Only one member would be needed, unless
you are a symmetery fan. (I am)
Bill Jepson
Check it again Bill that plate is rigid. If it moves laterally at
the front it will move the same amount laterally at the rear.
it is a four bar linkage just like a front suspension. In fact Mazda uses something
similar in the RX8 rear suspension for the shock and spring mounting.
Paul Lamar
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