I don't really feel that it was money foolishly spent. When I get around to replacing the clutch, brakes, motor install, and etc..., it's very detailed and will help alot.

For all the searches I did and the answers I found, the FSM seemed the way to go..."you have to have it". But, despite all the information and diagrams it provides, it doesn't have the one set of instructions I wanted... a more detailed description about how to replace the motor mounts. This is the first thing I want and need to do for the car, and the info just isn't there. I've read and reread the description on Rick's Nissan page. I'm a new owner, I need more detail than that.

I'm a little pissed at this point. There's no way that I want to take the chance and futz up my car. I don't know what my limitations are yet(though I doubt if I'll ever rebuild a transmission), and with detailed instructions(hopefully with some pictures) I will attempt anything. So, since I can't tell what my limitations would be on this project... when in doubt, take it to an expert(not me, of course). So, I guess I'll be calling around in the Tampa area trying to find a decent motor shop who will put my parts in w/o charging me an arm and a leg.

Krist, I feel like such a weenie! After I cool off a bit, I may rethink this and give it a try anyway. Not worried about how long it would take, just that it's done right. She('91 SE-R) is my "new" baby and I wouldn't want to make things worse.

Venting is supposed to be good for your stress, so how come I don't feel any better? Maybe it's the disappointment showing through.

Anyway, thanks for "listening",
vladha(Mark)

An FSM is not a Haynes or Chilton manual. There are fewer procedures, but a lot more detail also. Seeing as their for the factory techs, they probably assume you have all the nice tools and a lift and generally know how to take stuff apart.

I would recommend buying a Chilton or Haynes manual. It might have a procedure for doing motor mounts and with the FSM to supplement that you'd be just fine.

A much better solution would be to buy a few local forum members some beer and have them show you how to do it :)

I think I'm stressing too much about it. I definitely need to make sure I have all the necessary tools, though. I'd laugh my ass off if I was getting all down and dirty and found out I needed an 3/8" torque wrench and not a 1/2", lol.

I'll just have to see. I'm using ES torque inserts and I'll have to figure out whether or not I can press them in w/o taking off the mount. I'm going to try and use a portable vise.

If you hear a loud girlish scream in the Tampa area Saturday morning... it'll just mean I made a boo boo(I've got a 2 1/2 yr old around the house... whatta ya want from me). Besides, my brother said he would help. It will give me someone else to yell at... he's an even less experienced mechanic than me.

Later,
Mark

Hey Mark,

Well I answered your question on the mailing list, so it's only fair I follow up here! :)

Look here, you may find it helpfull
http://www.sr20deforum.com/showthread.php?s=&postid=32824#post32824

Woops, I just reread your message. I assumed you were putting in ES inserts or mounts. Which mounts are you planning on replacing, and are you installing any ES mounts or inserts?

Cheers,
Chris

Yeah, we're both just jumping all over the place. I think I over reacted to this... by a long shot! Thanks for the thread info.

Later,
Mark

I am using the ES torque inserts and then the OEM for the other two. I had posted some questions about 2 weeks ago at the mailing list and George(at the mailing list) and Andre(here) both felt I should use that combo.

Same advice from 2 experts... hell yeah, I'll do it that way!

The FSm does show you how to remove the engine mounts. Look in the engine removal section. It shows you torque specs, and how to line up the dogbone mount.

Originally posted by vladha
I am using the ES torque inserts and then the OEM for the other two. I had posted some questions about 2 weeks ago at the mailing list and George(at the mailing list) and Andre(here) both felt I should use that combo.

Same advice from 2 experts... hell yeah, I'll do it that way!

I concur with that combination, I did the same thing. Just be patient with that rear torque mount, it's a VERY tight squeeze! Not to throw a banana into the mix, but I'm thinking about taking the ES insert out of the rear mount. The car vibrates a bit too much for me, and I'm curious how it'll be with just the ES dogbone mount.

Chris

Chris, after I put my ES inserts in, the car would shake like a mad man. I took the rear mount out, and it was much better. I have the insert back in now since the rear mount is torn.

Eric, I looked through the book pretty intensively. If you're referring to EM-53 to EM-56... that's not very detailed. Now, keep in mind that I obviously haven't done this before or watched anyone else do it.

Yes, you can tell from the pictures where the Rear mount is(#7 on EM-53 and on EM-55), the Front engine mount(#2 on EM-53)... you can see both of these from the top of the engine. The others are not as clear. Again, call me a moron if you feel the need to express yourself... I don't mind. I'll be the first to admit how new I am to this.

Part of my confusion is how each of the mounts are named. If I'm facing the engine from in front of the car, I'm looking for a mount on the passenger side, driver, rear and front. But, when you look at the descriptions, other than the rear, they're called something different, i.e. Front engine mounting(fluid filled) is actually on the passenger side of the engine.

Then, if you look on page EM-54, they have a picture of the Front engine mounting again... but it looks completely different from the piece listed as a Front engine mount on EM-53. Maybe it's just a different view, I can't tell.

So, I'll continue to look for the "dogbone" and the "drivers" side mount. It will probably be alot more apparent once I get under the car. I just thought the FSM would be a bit more specific... you know, the Holy Grail type thing.

Thanks for the input,
Mark

Doing just those two motor mounts, the ones attached to the crossmember, is pretty easy. For the one at the front of the car, you'll need something to press out the old mounts; a vise would come in handy here. For popping the new ES inserts in, use LOTS of lubrication. Stuff like armor all, tire wet, etc will work. And one trick to pop those inserts in is to place the stuff under a car tire and lower the car onto the insert until it pops in. And for the rear mount, you gotta use TONS of lube to get it to slide in. The first time my friends and I tried, we didn't have enough lube so it wouldn't slide in. It just ended up jacking up the whole thing. Once you do get the mounts in, stuff will rattle like a mofo for a while. They do loosen up and break in though after a while so nothing to fear. Your steering wheel and shifter will still shake at idle though.

Khiem

Just take it to someone. If you cant do motor mounts you shouldnt be working on your car.

The passenger side mount in the front mount. The engine is just in the car sideways. I would take the car to someone, or find another SR20 guy/gal near you to help out. Its not hard, but you can mess things up if you do this wrong.

Khiem and Eric... thanks for the advice. The trick with the tire and the inserts sounds interesting, will probably even use it. That's the kind of info that is invaluable. And Eric, so it's a transverse mounted engine? Probably something I should have realized. I'm ignorant... not stupid. Knowledge helps cure ignorance and I always try to gather as much knowledge as possible... helps to eliminate ignorant mistakes.

As far as having someone else do it for me... nah! I'd miss out on all the fun. I apologize for jumping the gun on this... it seems that I've irrated a few of you. But, since I solicited advice on this thread, I'll take the heat.

Just visualizing the problems with the bolts lining up... I think I have a solution, so hopefully it won't be as big of a problem.

Thanks again for the help,
Mark

I just did my inserts 2 weeks ago. It was a pain. But well worth it. I trashed my tranny since I didn't have them. Anyhow getting them out is the easy part. To get it in however.. Well I used a vice, and a prybar. It's kind of like fitting something this big O into a hole this small O I've heard that you can boil the inserts to make them more plyable.

Heating up the inserts to make them more pliable? You know... that's not a bad idea at all. I'm sure it will still be a pain but every little bit will help.

I like some of these off the wall ideas. Maybe we could get a bunch of people together(far future) and come up with a "Dummies Guide for Idiots Who Need All the Help They Can Get". Sometimes I get so damned surprised at how easy it is to make something too difficult.

Good suggestion, thanks.

Mark

PS. I'm trying to avoid tranny problems in the future... that's why the motor mounts are my first "upgrade".