Jim Beckman wrote:

With the addition of the "red" struts, all being in tension under
right-side-up flight, the owner could remove that lower tube which is
the one dangerously in compression, I think.  It does serve to reduce
the compression force of the main rectangular tubing beam against the
vertical (parallel to the firewall) part of the mount at the firewall,
but maybe not appreciably.  Removing it will not alter the loads at
the firewall hard points, only way the rearward force against the
rear vertical tube is distributed.  Is removing 12 oz worth it (there
was one on the other side, too, correct? - 24 oz)?  Will the vertical
rect. tubing take the bending moment of the main beam against it at
X g's?

While I agree with your assessment, I'd recommend leaving them for the
following reasons:
+ it's less work (none required to leave them)
+ two less operations where you *might* foul up the whole mount
 (oops! I didn't mean to cut that off...)
+ they provide some lateral stabilization to the motor mounts
 (though I don't know if its adequate)
+ if removed, then the diagonal cross brace under the oil pan will
 definitely be required, and I'm hoping to keep that space clear
 in case the radiator is relocated, and also because the diagonal
 cross brace may make it harder to drain the oil. 'Course the
 radiator might make changing the oil a *real* challenge...

Paul Lamar wrote:

I should do a 3D if I had time showing all the loads.

Absolutely.

Paul continues:

I'll say one thing for the builder... he sure crammed a quart
into a pint pot. The original builder, Jim Wilhauer, is a
professional welder.

"When the only tool you have is a hammer, every problem looks like a
nail." (Unknown)

Russell Kent


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