Posted 22 January 2012 - 05:56 PM
You could solve the problem by fitting solid mounts all round, for better handling! But seriously, if you don't want to do that, you are going to have to make at least two large holes, or change the front panel for a later variant.
If you know someone with a MK4 or later, ask if they will let you measure what is required. If they happen to have the subframe out at the moment, even better. Or borrow a new valance to get the dimensions. Guess-Works,com is correct, but I am not sure if the difference is just the holes, or other dimensions too. There is normally a small clearance betweem the centre of the teardrop and the subframe, which should be shimmed, the longer central bolt passing through the shims, which makes me think that the mounting surface on the valance must sit slightly further forward on a rubber mounted version.
If you can't get access to a valance for measurements, you may need to assemble the subframe to the car, bolt the centre of the teardrop to the subframe, and see if any of the bolt holes for the valance line up. I am puzzled that your valance has two holes, because I have had a MK1 and a MK2, and am certain that they had only one bolt in each front corner. The Somerford web site agrees. And, I did have a later one with teardrops, which had to be replaced more than once.
The Rover manual has the picture with the large central hole, as already shown by Irostoke. The bonded metal insert for the central bolt goes against the subframe, but no mention of shimming, although they were on my later car, and are available on the Somerford web site.
There should be two small holes, one for the pin and the other for a 5/16" bolt. The body of the teardrop should be a snug fit in the large hole. Plain washers under bolt head and nut, plus a lockwasher under nut. Same for the central bolt. I am hoping that the description of how it is bolted will help in some way, but your valance does seem to be odd. It can't be fitted without the central hole, as you need to be able to tighten the bolt through the subframe. And, the lower hole should be sized to fit the pin on the mount, which is of smaller diameter. Your mount does seem to be the same size and shape as the bonded metal-rubber originals, and the pin diameter looks about right, but the hole is clearly going to take a 5/16" bolt.
It is only a guess, but one of the holes may line up with the bolt hole in the subframe when you assemble it, and if so, that is where the centre of the large hole should be. It should also line up with the access hole in the front, without which you can't get to the subframe bolt.
I suspect a simple manufacturing error as it can't be correct for either solid or rubber/poly mounts as it stands.
