New eng/trans mounts and . . . shifting worsens?

CrossT · 12-03-2003, 06:05 PM

I put in new mounts [sport mounts] in my 86 coupe and could swear that the shifting is noticeably notchier than before. Am I nuts or is this a possibility?

The eng mounts were a minor pain to put in - the fem points on the tray didn't want to line up so I had to 'crowbar' the thing to enable the main bolt to engage [especially on the driver's side.

The trans mounts were a breeze with no movement needed to pull/remount with new part.

Should I try an adjustment to the shift linkage?

todd
86 cpe

1fastredsc · 12-03-2003, 07:19 PM

Try the coupler bushings, i just toyed with mine today and noticed that it has a sick amount of play.

Wil Ferch · 12-04-2003, 08:40 AM

You may have preloaded the 4 points into a binding situation...
The Tech/Spec book says loosen the 4 ( horizontal) bolts in the center of the carrier...and retighten. Eliminates the bind.
---Wil Ferch

CrossT · 12-04-2003, 09:25 AM

Wil,

Where are those bolts located? Is the 'carrier' what I had referred to as the 'tray'? One of these years I'll get the terminology . . .

thx,
todd
86 cpe

12-04-2003, 09:29 AM

If your tranny was worn before, new mounts ain't gonna fix it.

BGCarrera32 · 12-04-2003, 09:29 AM

Better yet pop the cover over the shift coupler and re-adjust the coupler to the shifter shaft...1 hex bolt...

CrossT · 12-04-2003, 09:42 AM

Dr. Mark - The only reason I replaced the mounts was that my wrench told me a while back that mine were shot -- not to improve shifting. The only thing I expected from the procedure was maybe a change in vibration from the drivetrain [which I can't say that I have noticed]. I didn't expect an increase in shifting effort or notchiness.

I think I'll adjust the coupler as well as look into the carrier bolts. I have noticed that the shifter is VERY close to my seat when in 2nd and have wondered about adjusting the coupler to something a bit more neutral between the seats.

thx guys,
todd
86 cpe

Wil Ferch · 12-04-2003, 10:05 AM

CrossT:
The Parts and Technical Spec book for 74-89 cars... repeats a tech tip.
The 4 bolts are near the center of the car...immediately in front of ( toward rear of car) the lower crank pulley. See them? 4 bolts that are horizontal and engage forward ( toward front of car) spaced in about a 6" square. The tech tip says to loosen all four ( DON'T REMOVE !) and re- tighten. It allows the engine/trans combo to relax if there is a bind.
---Wil

JackT · 12-04-2003, 10:08 AM

Todd, Did you adjust the coupler after you installed the new mounts?

CrossT · 12-04-2003, 11:05 AM

Negative on the adjustment of the coupler. I've never done that before, but it looks to be a piece of cake.

Thanks Wil for the head start. I'll definitely do that.

Actually, I've been too busy driving the car to work on it this week

so these adjustments will be for either late Fri, or Sat.

thx again,
todd
86 cpe

JackT · 12-04-2003, 11:09 AM

Todd, I replaced my motor and transmission mounts with the sport mounts. It made things worst, but I had not adjusted the coupler, after replacing the mounts. I had adjusted the coupler about a year before with the old mounts in. After the mounts were installed I put new bushings in the coupler and readjusted. Huge improvement.

1fastredsc · 12-04-2003, 12:48 PM

Wil are you talking about the four bolts that mount the engine mounting bracket to the bracket covering the pulley, or the bracket covering the pulley to the engine?

Wil Ferch · 12-09-2003, 06:01 AM

1fastredSC:
I don't know how to describe this more fully, look at the Technical Parts and Reference catalogue for 1974-89 cars...a nice $10 publication that many of us have.
The rear support structure is a cross beam that has the rear engine mounts on both ends. Near the center of this beam is an oblong hole, mainly horizontal oblong, and it has 4 horizontal bolts surrounding the hole. It's these 4 bolts.
---Wil Ferch

Doug Zielke · 12-09-2003, 06:23 AM

What Will said....
This obscure tip can make a huge improvement, not only in shifting, but in noise/vibration in the cockpit.

The adjustment should be done whenever the motor has been removed, or mounts disturbed.

1fastredsc · 12-09-2003, 07:10 AM

Where do you get this publication?

Wil Ferch · 12-09-2003, 08:56 AM

I bought the book years ago....people like Stoddards had them. Many who deal in P-car parts ( Wayne?) may have them still....ask around. Very worthwhile even if you don't have a 74-89 car....generalities still apply to most of the torsion-bar ( real 911 !) cars.

---Wil Ferch

CrossT · 12-09-2003, 09:30 AM

I loosened and re-tightened the 4 bolts. On loosening them, I noticed the engine moved, so I assume it was in an 'unnatural' position. I believe it seems a bit smoother than before in terms of vibration. Didn't do anything for the shifting. I didn't adjust the coupler yet though.

todd
86 cpe

1fastredsc · 12-09-2003, 09:37 AM

Adjust the coupler dude, it's really easy. And while your there before you tighten stuff up, check to see how much play the coupler itself has.