Jerry-


                     The only thing keeping my engine where it belongs is a
                 2x4.  This

                     worries me, since I share the hangar & my airplane
   gets
                 moved around

                     when I'm not there.  So, to answer your question,
   getting
                 the rear mount

                     was my #1 project.  I do have the local guy who could
        fab it
                 for me --

                     he's ready to whip it out for me quickly once
   given the
        right

                     measurements but he doesn't weld, so I'll have to
   find a
                 welder too.


                 Mark here is a photo of the prototype strut bracket.  Two
        things to
                 note:  one, the inside measurement is 1" which is also the
        outside
                 measurement of the rod end.  You may have to file the
   inside
                 faces of
                 the bracket to get a smooth fit.  Secondly, the bracket is
        off set
                 toward the pilots side about an inch to clear the pan
   bolts so
                 that  you
                 can get a wrench on them.  check to make sure it will
   still
        line
                 up with
                 the firewall bracket.  If it will do the job, I will
        complete the
                 welding and send it to you.  You will have to enlarge the
        bolt holes
                 (Rod End) in the bracket.  Also, the bolt holes that
   attach to
                 the pan
                 will have to be enlarged (presently drilled for 1/4
   inch.)   I
                 am not
                 set  up  yet to make the final version but it will be
        similar to
                 what
                 you see here. Lastly, there is a lip on the pan that
   will have
                 to ground
                 away in the area of the bracket.  I do have an extra Barry
                 washer.   Jerry

                 P.S.  It is heavily constructed.  If you want to drill
   a few
                 lightening
                 holes, go for it.


             Jerry -

             Thanks - I'll drive out to the hangar tonight after work &
   check
             clearances & whatnot and get back to you.

             Mark


        Well, the hard point itself doesn't allow for any offsetting at
   all.
        The bolt hole is dead-center & there is no structure anywhere else
        (e.g., toward port) to tie into.  The rod ends don't look like they
        would support any kind of angle to the strut.  Further, the
   prototype is
        set up for bearing from underneath.. Based on the photo, it
   looks like
        the mounting brackets don t extend out enough to allow a strut
   to come
        down from the top.

        So - it looks like this bracket won't do the job for my
   installation.
        Thanks, tho.

        Mark

        What is the matter with coming up from the bottom Mark
        as in this 3D?

        Coming down from the top is not out of the question.
        That big 1/2 inch shank on the rod end can take some bending
   loads.
        There are ways around it. Do me a favor and use a fish
        scale hooked to the back of the engine to measure the force
        required to level the engine when you have a prop on there.
        Or if you don't have a prop yet you can hang the weight of
        a prop off the prop flange. This  will tell me precisely
        where the CG of your engine is so I can  calculate the exact
        loads on the rear motor mount.

        Also are you thinking of replacing the oil pan? If so
        a bracket suitable for coming down from the top can
        be incorporated in the back panel of the oil pan.



   Paul-

   The design of the M2 has the fuselage forward top skin taking torsional
   loading from the engine.  The 5th hard point is part of this & the
   designer prefers that it be used when mounting a high power engine.
   He's ok not using it up to about 220HP at the prop.  So I was pretty
   happy to dedicate it to the rear engine mount.  And, of course, Jerry
   has already built a perfectly lovely engine mount, so the idea of
   mucking about with it to add additional tubes for the rear mount don't
   satisfy.  Finally, I was liking the strut with rod ends design because
   it would make it trivial to adjust thrust angle should it be necessary.

   You are right that much of the weight is already carried by the SBeam.
   We picked the engine up by hand & were suprised how far forward the
   redrive brought the CG, even without a prop.  I don't think a prop will
   result in a CG at the SBeam, but it won't be all that far off..  I will
   get a scale & measure the weight at the rear.  I'll add weight to the
   prop flange if anyone can tell me what a 3-bladed prop weighs.

   I was not planning to replace the pan.  I agree it's shape is a
   nuisance, and that it will be difficult to drain oil from once the
   radiator is mounted.  But I wasn't seeing a compelling need to
   replace it.

   Mark

   I just sent and oil pan alternative. Move the ears over to the center
   of the pan and space them far enough apart to clear the center pan bolt.
   The 1/2 bolt going through the pan ears and the rod end will
   take considerable bending load no problem. You will
   then need short spacers between the rod end and the pan ears on
   each side. The same trick will work on a Jerry Hey style
   steel bracket.

   Paul Lamar

   Here is what I had in mind.

   Paul Lamar


Yes, exactly what I was thinking as well.

Mark