SBC Front Mounts

[FreeBeeTony]

Hopefully coming to the end of my rebuild project.
One of the last things I need is new front motor mounts.
Pretty sure I know what mounts to get.
Problem is the "platforms" (not sure what word to use!) that the mounts sit on could use some attention.
Can I fill the existing holes with resin/fiberglass and re-drill?

 

[Scott Danforth]

the two motor mounting blocks should be inspected for rot/wet wood. its common for those to go bad.

if the wood is good based on a few test drills, and you just need to get the lag bolts to hold, drill out larger, pack with an epoxy coated hardwood dowel to restore the hole.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

OK......like the wood/epoxy suggestion.
Thanks!

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Drill 'em big, 'n use an ole shovel handle, or even a household broom handle,......

Most wooden dowels on the market are turned from Birch,......
'n Birch rots, super fast,.....
I've had more Birch rot in the firewood pile, than I've ever been able to burn, before it rots,.....

Shovel handles are Ash,..... Donno exactly what a broom handle is, but I believe it ain't Birch,.....

 

[FreeBeeTony]

So you're talkin' about a 1" hole?
Should I coat the wood w/ epoxy, let dry and add more epoxy on install?
What kinda epoxy?

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Bought what looks like a coated replacement tool handle........~1" in in dia.
Bought a 1" hole saw.......
Plan to cut it to length and install w/ 5200.

Sound like a plan?
..

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Sounds reasonable,.....

 

[Lou C]

The other thing you could do...
dig out whatever looks questionable, when you get to good solid wood dry it as much as you can with a hair dryer or heat gun (careful).
then pick up some thinned epoxy, mix it up (wear fume mask and goggles) and paint it into the wood as much as it will take.
Then mix up a batch of thickened epoxy, (you can use sawdust or milled fibers to thicken the epoxy) and fill any gaps, etc. This works well if you have an irregular shape left after you dig out what is a bit soft. You can use that and some stuff that Rot Doc sells (fill it filler) that will bond great with the wood and make a very strong repair that will last a long time.
thinned epoxy from them is CPES
regular epoxy is lay up and laminating epoxy
fill it is the name of the filler that uses 'glass strands to strengthen it
www.rotdoc.com
good stuff I've used it over the years on various projects.
Just be careful, wear a 3M fume respirator, gloves etc.