Engine Bracket Failure

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   Hey guys. I was motoring in from sailing the other day when I heard the engine start to make a squeaking sound.  I opened the hatch and noticed the engine bracket right in the front had broken on both sides. It was a clean break like someone cut it with a laser.  I was told that the engine shock mounts might be bad and might have been what caused it. I'm going to take the bracket off the engine after I prop it up with some 2x4 wedges and get it welded. 

Does anyone know where I can get replacement engine mounts?  Or have any suggestions on what else might have caused this bad break?

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GIGGITY Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Crew Joined: 06 June 2014 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote GIGGITY Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Engine Bracket Failure Posted: 21 June 2015 at 12:25am
	Hey guys. I was motoring in from sailing the other day when I heard the engine start to make a squeaking sound. I opened the hatch and noticed the engine bracket right in the front had broken on both sides. It was a clean break like someone cut it with a laser. I was told that the engine shock mounts might be bad and might have been what caused it. I'm going to take the bracket off the engine after I prop it up with some 2x4 wedges and get it welded. Does anyone know where I can get replacement engine mounts? Or have any suggestions on what else might have caused this bad break?

fatjohnz Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 05 August 2006 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 304	Post Options Post Reply Quote fatjohnz Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 June 2015 at 7:55am
	I can't see your picture but I've seen bracket failures on multiple engines. Nothing wrong with the motor mounts; just seems to be fatigue in the bracket. The first time I had the bracket repaired, they just re-welded the bracket pieces back together and it broke again. The next time I had it repaired, they welded the bracket back together and then welded a large steel washer on top of each bracket hole. Looks bullet proof and haven't had any more problems. js

GIGGITY Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Crew Joined: 06 June 2014 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote GIGGITY Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 June 2015 at 3:45pm
	Sorry, I can't figure out how to post a picture. I tried to copy and paste and that didn't work. I dropped the bracket off at a welder and asked him to strengthen it any way he can. I'm glad it's not the mounts. Those seem rather expensive. Mine broke half way up the "A" frame on both sides. I asked the welder to see if he could add a washer like you had done. Hopefully we'll be ready for the weekend! Thanks for the response! Chris

George S. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Crew Joined: 05 December 2002 Location: Vancouver Status: Offline Points: 43	Post Options Post Reply Quote George S. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 June 2015 at 8:56pm
	You can get new engine mounts from Crinmar Marine in Kingston, ON. Keith Strutt is very knowledgeable and easy to talk to, he has a toll free no. too. Sit down when you google the site.... THEY ARE NOT CHEAP ... Unless yours have been soaking in oil, the good news is they may still be OK. I had both front and rear engine mounts break on my first L28, Voila. I put it down to stress over and above the call of duty when a plastic bag would momentarily get caught in the prop and the engine would almost vibrate out of the boat. My second L28 has shown no sign (yet) of this malady. Good Luck

Bill Layton Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 15 September 2002 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 551	Post Options Post Reply Quote Bill Layton Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 22 June 2015 at 9:15pm
	Yes this is a known issue. After enough milage the frames can break around the stud holes (front and back) and on the front frame can break in the middle. Just remove them and get them repaired and re-inforced and it'll be fine.

GIGGITY Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Crew Joined: 06 June 2014 Status: Offline Points: 29	Post Options Post Reply Quote GIGGITY Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 23 June 2015 at 12:13pm
	Just got the bracket back from the welder. It looks great! I'm glad I was sitting down when I saw the cost of the mounts. WOW! I'll keep welding the bracket for as long as I can before I replace them. Thanks for all the help!

frfletch Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Commodore Joined: 13 May 2008 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 365	Post Options Post Reply Quote frfletch Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 24 June 2015 at 11:08pm
	yeah! Or go to your friendly split air conditioning system provider and buy a set of flexible mounts on which they situate the compressors for pennies. There is no magic in flexible mounting of engines and motors. Just find something that looks sufficiently robust to take some tossing around of circa 45 lbs on each mount. That is not particularly heavy duty.