Subject: RE: Generator mount decision time
Author: Jesse Open
Date: Sep 25, 2002, 1:18 PM
Post ID: 1711084547
Fred ,
One of the most overlooked parts of the mount system is the locating
dowel at the front of the generator. It must be very secure where it
screws into the generator (LOCTITE RED) and a very good fit into the
locating hole in the saddle. I make oversize pins as required and
carefully ream the hole for an exact fit. The bracket on Eldos is
further compromised by being perched atop the reinforcing ribs rather
than a solid surface,you can take care of this as one of the last steps
in tidying up the mount later. For studs use coarse not fine theads,the
grade is not at all critical since you will never approach the tensile
yield point of the stud. The main thrust here is th get as much thread
area as possible for maximum holding power. Bottom tap the hole to get
as much thread as you dare. Fit the studs and the blue loctite is fine
here,get the studs right to the bottom but no tighter. Overtightening
here only preloads the threads and subtracts from the ultimate clamping
force.
Use a good ,new bracket the old ones are just fatiqued and waiting
for the next chance to break . I like to make a washer plate to go
between the bracket and the nuts using good hard washers under the nut.
I use 01 tool steel 1/8 thick cut to fill the area inside the
bracket,make sure to chamfer the edges to prevent pressure points that
can lead to cracking. Now trial fit everything and get ready for final
assembly.
The next step is very helpful in preventing further failure. you will
need some cast aluminum wheel cleaner and some metal filled epoxy repair
putty ,preferably aluminum filled . Devcon makes some good stuff.
Clean the area below the mount with the wheel cleaner . this will
etch the casting and allow the epoxy to adhere well. Rinse completely
and allow to dry , very dry. Now use some paste wax on the bottom and
edges of the bracket don't rub the wax off just set the bracket aside.
Neatly fill the area below the mount and between the ribs with epoxy
putty leaving it just a trifle above the ribs . .005 > .010". Now before
the putty stars to set assemble the bracket and torque the nuts on the
studs place the generator and tighten the straps. Do not allow the setup
to move for about 24 hours ,longer if you can wait. Any excess putty can
be neatly scraped away and cleaned up with rubbing alcohol.
It isn't any one thing ,some items are more important than others .
A combination of techniques will give you the best shot at one of the
old looper's weakest links.
BTW ,The Ambo suffers a lot less from the generator bracketitis thanks
in part to a solid mounting base compared to the Eldo ribs and a lower
torque induced vibration level.
Good Luck ,let me know if I can help . I think I have enough putty
here to do one more if you need it.
Fred Sahms wrote:
| I need to make a decision on what to do regarding attaching the generator bracket to the block. The motor and transmission are ready to drop into the frame, and it'll be easier to do beforehand. The threaded holes in the block are fine, and I have one unbroken stock bracket and one bracket that was cracked at the front hole and that's been repaired by welding in a piece of hot-rolled steel plate, doubling the thickness of the bottom plate of the mount. Should I locktight in some studs and use nylock nuts, and if so, would 10.9 grade studs (sawed off bolts) be better than 8.8? 73 Eldo (motor finally together) 78 T3/949 |
1969 V700 Euro
1972 Eldo LAPD
1993 Cal III Fuel Injection