Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Maintenance & Servicing +8 engine mountings

Hi all

I need to replace my engine mountings - has anyone done this and, if so, any advice? I’ve got the car about 18” off the ground on stands backed up with wooden blocks, but where best to jack up the engine without causing any damage, do I need to remove the exhaust??

Thank you

Hi Mick,

Maybe I can assist you. I have done this job on all my Plus 8s. Twice because the mountings were rotting and once because the super important little 7/16 or 10mm bolt on the engine part of the three
piece mounting assembly had fallen out. I did THAT one road side near gorgeous Harpswell, Maine on a lovely day two decades ago.

May I give out some general Plus 8 info first? Don't worry, there is a method to my madness.

All Plus 8s from 1977 to the last LR Plus 8 in mid-2004 use Sd1 bellhousings, Sd1 remotes, Sd1 engine mounts and LT77/ R380 2wd gearboxes. IIRC the bellhousings, remote and mounts stopped being
used by Rover in1986 or soon after. I am pointing this out, once again, that the components a Plus 8 uses, depends on which model you have, when it was made, and whether it was sold (most Plus 8s, most
years, went ex-UK either of overseas or to Germany. That is completely understandable as Plus 4s and 4/4s are GREAT fun in the UK. IMHO, V8s are only necessary of you stick mostly to Motorways or
Interstates or travel for very long distances.

Happily, NO Plus 8s ever used the cast alloy sump LR adopted in the mid-1990s. +8s do not have much clearance and cast alloy sumps crack and shatter like eggshells. You should be very happy about that
as you should have the strongest best sump ever made for Rover/LR & Plus 8s. It was fit to the Discovery 1. The use of the great Discovery 1 sump ended in the mid-1990s for LR. Morgan used them until 2004.
You would be surprised what people pay for them now! https://www.gomog.com/allmorgan/plus8oil.htm#SUMPS Is yours the one on the right? (fingers crossed) PUNCHLINE: If so your sump can
take the weight of the entire engine, even the entire front of the car (!) where others will dent, fold or (shiver) crack.

[b]So that is your jack point. I use towels between a wide plank of wood and the sump with the jack underneath. [/b]
(the oneo n the chassis edge is Morgan specific I think) I am guessing you are replacing the torn or dried out or rotting rubber section of the three piece mount. But WATCHPOINT, even the metal sections
can crack if one is unaware of the importance of the tiny bolt of three the section which attaches to the engine. Without the little bolt in place and tight, the two bigger bolts (please change them to graded bolts)
create a wobble plane which will rock and split the metal of something. and likely strip the threads of the little bolt's hole. So when re-installing it, put at least that one in with a star washer and loctite red, or
better still green. (guess how I know!!!) (

Now for clearance, you don't need much. But if I remember correctly, you must take off the plate that sits at the bulkhead over the bellhousing (pictured below) Because the moment you jack just a a bit, you will
crush it and be justifiably unhappy for a few days. As for the rest, I would remove the upper rad hose, but this is optional I would take the upper rad bolt out or loosen it. Of course, you will have to loosen the bolts
of some part of the mounting assembly. I do not recall doing this with the chassis section, so focus on the engine section and the rubber thingie. There may be another something I forget, but the jacking will reveal
them to you.

I am adding some explanatory diagrams below. If you have any questions, contact me. I scan Talk Morgan irregularly, but I will eventually get your Private Message here. Or contact me at gomog.

gmg.

Hi Mick, presumably just the rubber part needed ? Give Terry Foxen a call at GEE, he should have the rubber mounts in stock

https://geeltd.co.uk/

Yes. It has become only a little bit harder to find them. #CRC2044 Prices now vary from 25 pounds tin the UK to $240 in the US.

gmg

Lorne

Thank you, that’s just what I needed and a comprehensive response as always.

Mike H

Thanks, I didn’t think of Terry, I got some from Rimmer Bros for 29€ each and very reasonable shipping to France.

Job done this afternoon, took an hour and a half, the only thing I’d add to Lorne’s advice is remove the bonnets, fortunately no damage done…

Well done.

The bonnet is a good idea. I will add it to the new gomog article I wrote. One can leave it in place after unscrewing it at both ends. Did you know different Plus 8s from different
eras have different bonnet clearances, depending on what engine variant was installed?)? The MMC has been known to cut out bonnet hinge or actually smash down the air filter
holder with a block/hammer. (which doesn't do much for the air filter!) Actually, I love them for that stuff. It makes a hobbyist/mechanic/owner a lot more relaxed in dealing with
Morgans. Direct, logical, expedient. Every good moggie mechanic has a sledge hammer and an angle grinder at hand.

Plus 8s got more clearance and leveled out after the Bill Beck regime began in the early 1990s, He redesigned the chassis a tiny bit, saved the company ]what is considered in the
that industry, an immense amount, and made it a more common sense vehicle (if any Morgan can be described in that fashion!!!).

BTW, sorry to mention this, but if you can do this job, you can also take out the engine. Lot in common. Actually, my other hobby is chef'ing. Auto mechanics and cooking/baking
have a LOT in common. Merely the Recipe Book is called a Workshop Manual.

You can now call me Lorne.

Well done.

The bonnet is a good idea. I will add it to the new gomog article I wrote. One can leave it in place after unscrewing it at both ends. Did you know different Plus 8s from different
eras have different bonnet clearances, depending on what engine variant was installed?)? The MMC has been known to cut out bonnet hinge or actually smash down the air filter
holder with a block/hammer. (which doesn't do much for the air filter!) Actually, I love them for that stuff. It makes a hobbyist/mechanic/owner a lot more relaxed in dealing with
Morgans. Direct, logical, expedient. Every good moggie mechanic has a sledge hammer and an angle grinder at hand.

Plus 8s got more clearance and leveled out after the Bill Beck regime began in the early 1990s, He redesigned the chassis a tiny bit, saved the company ]what is considered in the
that industry, an immense amount, and made it a more common sense vehicle (if any Morgan can be described in that fashion!!!).

BTW, sorry to mention this, but if you can do this job, you can also take out the engine. Lot in common. Actually, my other hobby is chef'ing. Auto mechanics and cooking/baking
have a LOT in common. Merely the Recipe Book is called a Workshop Manual.

You can now call me Lorne.