Practically Classics Forum

I picked up some new cutting and grinding disks, so got the cutting
of the front engine mount out of the way.
It needs to be about 1" to 1.5" wider, so straight down the middle!





I'll cut the plate for welding in later.

Now back to the alternator bracket!













The bottom bolt hole on the front plate which would have
bolt through it to the engine block will have to go!
I little tweeking of one or two holes and tome spacers and
it is almost done. There will be a plate welded behind it so
that the bolt which uses the bit that sticks out will have the
bolt head ressessed, I'm thinking incase a pulley needs to
go over it.

Why is it when things go bad they go bad big style?
I have only on picture for what was done today,
as I had to use a hacksaw blade to cut off EVERY bolt
first holding the bumper skin onto the the bumper bar.
Then the four bolts holding the bumper bar.



Tomorrow out comes the grinder!!

I downloaded a pdf copy of the repair manual for the 1998 Chrysler Voyager.

http://www.mediafire.com/?zi6drtqhhbk

I was looking at the details of the instrument cluster and what would connect
to the voyager ecu for the display and what would need it's own sensor/hook up.

Voyager
Speedometer = CCDBus
Fuel level gauge = CCDBus
PRNDL Transmission display = CCDBus
Tacho = CCDBus
Coolant Temp Gauge = CCDBus
Battery/charge lamp = CCDBus
Seat Belt lamp = CCDBus
Fuel Level Warning Lamp = CCDBus

Looks like I have a few sensors to double up on.
And a bit more reading up to do!

A little trimming and some spacers cut the whole alternator bracket bolted together.







I took the alternator out leaving the bracket fully bolted together.
I then got the old power steering pump bracket out and made a new one.
new top old bottom.



I cut a few bits of plate to expand the front engine mount by half an inch/
Clamped together ready for welding.







I then started with the grinder and then the metal cutter snips on the bonnet catch bracket.







Yes it will be tidied up by the welder I just had to get it in some order in a general way
of how it is ment to be so dad knew what needs to be done.

Dad got his welding gear out and welded the alternator bracket,
the binnet catch support. Unfortunatly the clamps moved on the
front engine mount (I didn't see it move) and DAad welded it like
that. So that will need the grinder to remove the welds and start
again.

Both the alternator bracket, and the bonnet catch support got a
going over with the wire brush attachment of the drill before a coat
black hammerite paint before it started to rain again.







I will give them a second coat of paint, but the right colour tomorrow.

A large plastic box with weak plastic wheels had to be moved!
Problem is it contained a 3 speed automatic transmission for a neon!
A metal bar and my weight behind it moved it, legs screwed for the
rest of the day.

So out with the deck chair and sat with the engine infornt of me,
trying to think on the rear engine/transmission mount!
The mark on the steering rack next to the relay sitting on the
subframe is the approximate side and back right corner of the
transmission to get an idea of limits/sizes.







I then thought about what mounts I already have being used as a
basis (new ones bought if similar to what I need elsewhere)

1. the Old side engine mount which the V6 originally used









2.Neon Engine side mount







3.Voyager front or rear engine mount.







The Voyager Side mount is out TOO big, and would be too close to
the exhaust manifold. And no way of bolting it up!.

The Neon's Side Engine mount would be too hard to work with and
not enough bolting strenght as ir fixes to one side only not through.

The idea of of mounting a front/rear engine mount like this is possibly
the way to go but not with this mount.
I will get another Front Engine Mount for a Neon to cut it's metal frame
to use, as it is slightly smaller than the Voyager version and inserts
are readily available.

A few sketches of a possible final idea.

How did you paint that alternator bracket? Did you just open the tin and pour it over the bracket?

The back of the transmission over hangs the subframe so no-matter what I use,
it would need to be behind the engine and bolt onto the side of the transmission.



Please take reference of that bolt hole as you will see it further down this post.

Cardboard template time again!!

First the bold hole of where it will bold up on the transmission.



And the top bold in this picture will also be used.



And now the cardboard version of what will be made.







and it on for adjustments!





Well it is well clear of the speed sensor, so thats good.



Needs a little triming for that bolt, better finding it out now,
than when it won't go in!



Oh and I have a new neon front engine mount coming so I can
cut up and use the old one as a basis for the rear.

Will this rain ever end!!!!!

I got 20 min of rain free work out side with the grinder.
Most of the parts for the rear engine/transmission mount are cot and the
subframe bracket it marked up ready to be cut.
No pictures as didn't want to get my mobile phone wet.

The postman dropped a parcel off at 7am, contents?
Brand new front engine/transmission mount and side engine mount still in
it's plastic wrapping. Cost for both of them together all in including postage
£25.98 I paid that plus tax and plus postage for just one the last time!

So if it stops raining tomorrow I will remove the inserts from the old mounts
and put them in the new ones also cut up the old front engine/transmission
mount to make it ready for becoming the rear engine/transmission mount.

Pictures tomorrow (I hope!!)

I did a bit of measuring up and found 2 of these fans are spot on and will cover the radiators perfectly.


I would just need to turn them 90 degrees for them to be perfect fit.
And ebay have a pair for £46.99 inc tax and postage

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-PAIR-12-SLIM-UP ... 1e6497466a

Just wish I had the money to get them now, but I'm paying for the radiator modification this week.
I will be calling the radiator company Thursday afternoon to see if it's ready yet.