While I was at it, I had the engine mounts to replace, with engine in car.
Upon dismantling (I've had the car only a year - it's other folks work), The clutch side had a steel bar tack across the mounting to pack int out, about 1/4 inch. The mounts had captive nuts.
I had on the shelf some of those from minispares with captive nuts. They looked cheap too me, but I tried them; Fitting the mounts, no matter how I lifted the car and engine, I always ended up with about 1" free space between one side of the engine and its mount, after fitting the opposite side.
Finally, with the clutch side on first, with 1" subframe-to-mount bolts and nuts kept loose, I managed to get a 1" bolt onto the timing side mount, and proceeded tighten it to close the gap. The mount just ripped apart.
My subframe seems to been good condition - no cracks in the welds, no weak spots. The members seem well formed.
There are more expensive mounts. I've just ordered some - without captives, and at twice the price.
I'll have see how the new mounts offer up when they arrive shortly. I'll let you know.
Never had such a fitting problem - a wide space to fill, on previous minis. Do I have a problem, other than choice of mounts?
Comments welcome with this experience!
p.s its an MG metro in a 1991 mini, verto clutch. I had similar engine in a mini clubman van no problem - cant remember if it that a veto clutch though- I think not.
Edited by chuee, 16 October 2018 - 09:34 PM.