Engine mount to firewall not flush

[Stockmanreef]

My original engine mount was so bad on my 14a that I had to use a wrench and screw the 6th bolt into place. The first 5 slid easily into place. At first I had no idea what the heck was wrong, then I put it on a granite counter top and one of the mounting brackets was way off. I posted this a while back:

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...t=engine+mount

I sent pictures Vans and they replaced the engine mount. If you want to see the pictures, I just posted them on my facebook page (Ken's RV-14: https://www.facebook.com/Kens-RV14-632288410496405/).

I am not sure how bad it has to be for the mount to be replaced, but I would consider removing and putting on a flat surface to see how bad it really is before you torque down the bolts. Do you really want that kind of constant torque on the bracket?

[rapid_ascent]

Yeah 0.004 isn?t very much. I would just take a file to it and file a little bit off the lower side. If you inspect the mount closer it may just be a small spot. Also make sure the mount ant the firewall are both deburred.

[Plummit]

Originally Posted by rapid_ascent

Yeah 0.004 isn?t very much. I would just take a file to it and file a little bit off the lower side. If you inspect the mount closer it may just be a small spot. Also make sure the mount ant the firewall are both deburred.

The problem with filing down the mount is that you may end up with that "leg" not even touching the firewall at all. Once you start modifying the mount you own it!

-Marc

[Stockmanreef]

The question is: What is the gap in the resting state--not torqued?

I bet the gap when sitting on a flush surface is much more. Thus there could be a lot of stress on the joint since the gap closes upon tightening.

[rapid_ascent]

Valid point about torqued down versus resting.