Here are some more pics of my 72 Riv. I'll add more as I take them, and as I improve things bit by bit. Nasty crack just appeared above the fan in the plastic cowl, (the rest was as it came). I'm replacing the radiator hoses as (as you can see) they're pretty bad. Replacing the thermostat seems to have fixed a recent cooling problem. Not too shabby!
THAT CRACK IN THE FAN SHROUD IS DUE TO A BROKEN DRIVER SIDE ENGINE MOUNT!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't beat on that thing until you replace that mount!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! All else looks nice. Oh, and you'll be amazed how it will look if you scrb everything down under the hood and use spray cans to paint the accessories.
Yeah! I loved how original everything looked under the hood when I first opened it (I'm sure there are some things that aren't original, especially to my untrained eye but it was reassuring to see it hadn't been tinkered with too much). The engine mount.. Is that the metal strip in the pic sticking up between the shroud and the radiator? It was rattling against the fan so I pulled it out of the way, it had already come loose. Or do you mean one of these? http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php?carcode=1021464&parttype=5552
I think that metal strip is there to keep the shroud together or prevent it from hitting the fan. Ask the previous owner about this. Yes, this is what Yardley is on about: The engine rotates clockwise and under load it will lift up from the bad engine mount on the driver's side (LHD US car) of the car. Open the bonnet, start the engine and put it into gear. If you hold the brake and put down the accelerator pedal a little bit, I think that you can see (through the gap between the window and the bonnet) the engine lifting on the driver's side.
Yes, that's what he means. When the engine is under heavy load, a broken motor mount will cause the engine to lift up and the fan will hit the shroud or bonnet. It will be loud unless your fan clutch is weak, and then you might not hear it so much. The way to tell is open the bonnet, put your left foot on the brake HARD, and put the car in drive. With your right foot, just give it a little gas. Peek through the opening between the hood and the windscreen. If the engine lifts, voila! bad engine mount.
It's not really a big problem, as long as you don't hammer it. But maybe the previous owner already dealt with the engine mount and couldn't find a replacement for the fan shroud. If not, order a replacement A.S.A.P. I'm pretty sure that Rick "the Cannibal" has a fan shroud for you, you can contact him at: thecannibal@zeelandnet.nl
Frank, it's just because I'm closer to the UK.....:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: (I love to see you typing "bonnet" instead of "hood", we all know that a hood is in fact a convertible top....)
Frank, what's wrong with your e-mail address ? Just sent you a message and it returned: The error that the other server returned was: 550 550 5.1.1 - Invalid mailbox: ...........@austin.rr.com (state 14). ( I changed your name into dots for privacy reasons)
Wow.. Well diagnosed. Thanks everyone. Yep. The engine does indeed jump up a bit on the driver's side when I rev it (gently). Is it a complicated procedure to replace it? If it's just undoing bolts I may have a go myself..
You could do it yourself, jack up the engine on the driver's side. Be careful not to damage the oil pan, so don't place the jack direct under it but use a wide piece of wood between the pan and the jack You can jack up the engine far enough to replace the engine mount, of course you first have to open the bonnet. Try to move another piece of wood between the chassis and the engine when it's lifted, so you can work safe. Never trust on a jack alone, no matter how solid it is.
Paul, Before you order engine mounts (I think it's better to order both sides and also the transmission mount), read this: It's normal for the engine to move a little bit if you rev it in gear, while holding the brakes. So first try to jack up the engine on the driver's side to see what will happen. If the engine is lifting up very easy and high from the chassis, the engine mount needs to be replaced. Or ask your garage to check this for you if you don't feel confident enough to do it yourself. But stay with the mechanic, watch and learn :TU:
Hmm. Yes. I think I'll let them have a go at it I don't fancy wearing a 7.5L V8 as a hat! I think you've all just saved me a hell of a lot of trouble and money. :beer Thank you!
I changed ISP's, and so instead of using another proprietary email address, I decided to use rivierags@gmail.com. I also have buickgs@gmail... I wasn't quite quick enough in 2005 to get buick@gmail.com... now that would have been cool! Please update your records!