First Gen. Motor Mounts - 2.8 V6 - Confusion

[Bronco648]

I am in the process of re-assembling an '85 RCLB with the 2.8 V6, A4LD & RWD. Over the weekend, I had the driver's side of the TTB out and figured I'd replace the driver's side motor mount. I was confronted with this:

According to every source I can find, the after-market motor mount (EM-2940) is the correct unit for the (early) 2.8 V6 Ranger. However, it appears as if I have the wrong part. The locating pin (yellow arrows) is 180* from where it's supposed to be and the threaded stud is slightly higher on the after-market part (which means the motor mount will sit slightly lower). It's almost as if the side of the motor mount that attaches to the frame was molded in upside down (yet images on the web show this layout to be correct for this part number).

Has anyone encountered this before? Is there any chance that a different motor mount has the correct orientation (like one from a 4X4)? The motor mounts were purchased by the PO.

Re-using the original mount is not an option because of degradation (due to oil). The vulcanized rubber is like Jell-O in some places.

Any insight/help is appreciated.

TIA, Dave.

 

[ford4wd08]

No idea. @AndyB. Might know.

 

[AndyB.]

Do these match your existing mounts?

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[Bronco648]

Do these match your existing mounts?

Engine Motor Mounts & Trans Mount 3 PCS Set for 83-85 Ford Ranger 2.8L - AT & MT | eBay

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Hey Andy,
Yep, that's what I have, but they don't fit. I'm finding out that there's a difference between 2WD & 4WD motor mounts but a lot of on-line retailers (and some manufacturers) don't make the distinction. If you look at the pic in the original post, the unit on the right is part # 2940 (I have 2941 as well and I suspect that make be incorrect, too). I may have to fab up some sort of adapter plate.

Thanks for the link though.

I'm guessing that the locating pin, that goes thru the frame, is just to keep the motor mount from rotating while the nut is being torqued? I can't see how those mounts could rotate once the engine is in-place.

 

[Shran]

You could drill a hole in the crossmember where the locating pin is on the new mounts.

 

[AndyB.]

4WD and 2WD use the same mounts.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I’d probably just drill a new locating peg hole, lol

 

[Bronco648]

You could drill a hole in the crossmember where the locating pin is on the new mounts.

I’d probably just drill a new locating peg hole, lol

I was thinking about that but it will locate the new mount in a lower position than the original. And, there might not be enough width, in the frame cross-member, to drill a hole for the locating pin on the new mount. I think I'm going to have to fab up an adapter plate to be sandwiched between the mount and the cross-member and use a flat headed fastener. Pics are worth a 1K words. I'll work on that so you can see to which I'm referring.

4WD and 2WD use the same mounts.

What is the source of that info Andy? I've seen online catalogs, like Summit & Parts Geeks, show the 2940 is for 4WD only. My question would then be, how do you explain what came off my truck compared to what I have to replace it? They're definitely different. I do not see anyone that offers a replacement in the configuration of what I removed from my truck (I do see a date stamp on the firewall of: "Sept 12 1984". But that wouldn't explain the difference, based on your image (above). Stumped.

 

[AndyB.]

Source:

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I was thinking about that but it will locate the new mount in a lower position than the original. And, there might not be enough width, in the frame cross-member, to drill a hole for the locating pin on the new mount. I think I'm going to have to fab up an adapter plate to be sandwiched between the mount and the cross-member and use a flat headed fastener. Pics are worth a 1K words. I'll work on that so you can see to which I'm referring.

What is the source of that info Andy? I've seen online catalogs, like Summit & Parts Geeks, show the 2940 is for 4WD only. My question would then be, how do you explain what came off my truck compared to what I have to replace it? They're definitely different. I do not see anyone that offers a replacement in the configuration of what I removed from my truck (I do see a date stamp on the firewall of: "Sept 12 1984". But that wouldn't explain the difference, based on your image (above). Stumped.

Hmm. Just thinking out loud, here. Is it possible that this mount is for the right engine and application (2.8 RWD), but the replacement mount is for the RIGHT side instead of the LEFT side that the OP was intending to order?

 

[4x4prepper]

Here are pictures of mine I bought from RockAuto. Ignore the 3/8 pin shackles, they are just holding the mounts up for a clearer picture.

 

[Bronco648]

Hmm. Just thinking out loud, here. Is it possible that this mount is for the right engine and application (2.8 RWD), but the replacement mount is for the RIGHT side instead of the LEFT side that the OP was intending to order?

I don't think so. The two mounts I have are different. I have the exact same parts as the pics posted by @4x4prepper

Here are pictures of mine I bought from RockAuto. Ignore the 3/8 pin shackles, they are just holding the mounts up for a clearer picture.

I wish I could see the back side of the mount in the left-most image (EM-2940). It looks to be the same as the one I have (as shown in the image in my original post). Which, for my application, is not correct.

 

[Bronco648]

A thought occurred to me; what's the purpose of the the locating pin in question?

If it's simply to keep the motor mount from rotating, while the nut is being torqued, then it's not that important. I can fab up something to hold the mount in-place while I'm tightening the nut. Once the engine's weight is on the mount, it's not going to rotate anyways. Right?