Subject: Front Strut Mount
From: ACRE
Date: 1/3/2005, 3:41 PM


     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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