Maserati Engine Mounts repair.

The engine and transmission on early cars were solid mounted on the chassis. This was also the case with racing cars and eventually the engine and transmission would become an integral part of the chassis on the 60s Grand Prix cars.
This was great for the track but the only thing insulating the human on board was the seat of their pants ! So in Road cars an insulated engine mount was developed using rubber in most applications. On modern cars the technology has evolved to a much more refined design often using hydrologic damping and rubber mounts fluid filled. Maserati with the new V8 GT cars of the 1960s were looking for greater refinement and improved installation from engine vibration transmission to chassis. So the sprung mount engine was the answer. I’m sure the higher heat generated around the mount was also a factor in not using rubber for this application. A short explanation of why the engine mount looks unconventional. I need to repair one of these Maserati V8 engine mounts.

[@maseraticc2834]

Great to see the old master at work solving problems that are beyond us mere mortals! It shows that with the right tools and know how, new parts can be made to keep these cars going. It also makes me wonder how these skills you have will be kept alive with the younger generations who are handy with PCs and social media...but will they be able to use the tools and machines you used here, also have the vision and knowledge to continue your work when you eventually hang up your boots...

[@marksitaliangarage]

Thank you. One of the reasons for this KZbin channel to exist is to record these process. It is why I included some of the thought processes and how a job can move in different directions. Problem solving and trying out different methods when it doesn’t work out the first way. A lot of it is having the confidence to start , which is a lot easier if you have seen how it’s been done before. It could be that there is a difference way to make it happen. The heritage skills academy! Look them up and see what is available for young people that have an interest in this work. There is way more information available and access to training than I ever had the chance of getting when I started. In the emerging Ai world human craft skills will become essential because the Ai can’t do that stuff. It could just be that it will give people back their dignity and we will value humanity all the more. A Solar Punk future is our only hope !

[@Mitkawatch]

Where there is a will there is a way! Nice save Mark

[@marksitaliangarage]

It needed fixing and it provided a nice little bit of content for the channel. Might I add that it also proves that in this throw away society a classic V8 Maserati is a good sustainable alternative to the modern car with an engine mount that can’t be repaired and will just become landfill as it will not be recycled !

[@blenheimwilde]

Hi Mark, these engine mounts were made in France for Maserati by the company Vibrachoc. Back in the days, the boss of the company was a great friend of president Mitterand !

[@marksitaliangarage]

This is interesting. Were they used on French cars ? Did this in any way have any effect in the Citroen interest in Maserati or the SM project ? I had assumed that the V8 created more heat and rubber engine mounts would deteriorate in the higher temperatures so this was the solution.

[@blenheimwilde]

@@marksitaliangarageNo, specific to Maserati V8. A friend of mine entered in contact with the company to know if drawings were still there... but everything is gone...

[@marksitaliangarage]

@@blenheimwilde Ok it’s an unconventional design not something that I have seen before. The closest thing I am aware of is the Jaguar gearbox mount which employs a large coil spring. That is a shame that the information is gone so often the way. But good work trying.

[@tonysangwine-gould4733]

Excellent, thanks for that. I love the wire wool shock idea.

[@marksitaliangarage]

I’m thinking that Maserati were going for a more sophisticated GT with the V8 cars and this was their answer. Not to mention that it was probably a bit more resilient with the higher heat produced by the V8 . The 6 cylinder cars have a much more traditional rubber mount much like that used by Jaguar in the 60s.

[@tonysangwine-gould4733]

@@marksitaliangarage I guess you are correct about them worrying about the effect of heat from the V8. It looks effective.

[@gearhead9828]

Wood screws! Who would have thought that😂

[@shedtime_au]

Nice one!

[@user-ws2ip5qe5o]

Nice repair! Very dramatic music 😅

[@marksitaliangarage]

Going hammer and tongs !

[@MichaelHowden-gv1kf]

That wire wool must be stainless steel if its lasted this long🤔

[@marksitaliangarage]

You are correct and it’s just the thing for cleaning your pots and pans !