Motor mounts

Hi Everyone,
It's been a while since posting.
I'm in the process of restoring a 63 Classic. I'm retrofitting with a Mercruiser 188 hp. (Ford 302ci).
I need a full set of motor and trans mounts. I'll be attaching a Warner Velvet Drive. I have the correct bell housing. Any advice on where to purchase the motor/ trans mount system? Would it be similar to a Mustang set up?

Thanks!

Mark Sawyer
Massachusetts

Mark,
What happened to the original engine? Was it a Y block? I'm sorry to hear about the repower.

Since the Interceptor mounts bolted directly to the stringers in the Mustangs of the late 60's and the PCM mounts (that I assume youre referring to) bolted straight to the stringers of the mid-late 70's Ski Tiques, I believe the newer mounts should be a drop in replacement. Both boats were 16' with similar driveline angles, similar stringer heights and standard stringer widths, and used 302's. Compare new and old mounts side by side and you should be able to confirm that theyre compatible. Worst case, mount heights vary enough to require a different stringer height, or a block under the newer style. But I bet the stock Mustang stringer height would get you in the ballpark of the PCM adjustment window.

The real complication comes when you want to add an engine cradle and through bolt the mounts to it instead of lagging them directly to the stringers, as that requires changing the stringer and floor shape, as you need to provide access to the underside of the cradle to install the nuts.

I could not confirm a standard stringer (or motor mount) width with a quick web search, but I am fairly certain that CC's were built to common marine industry standards- different engine and mount styles should interchange. Given the aforementioned similarities between the CC models that used the 2 different mounts in question, I think you will be fine. That said, compare the 2 sets of mounts and verify that the PCM's will get you in the ballpark. Make any required adjustments to the stringers and other supports before installing them... that goes for any planned modifications like a cradle, etc as well.

I think you are misunderstanding the purpose of a few things... I would recommend you do a bit more reading and come up with a better plan before proceeding. Angles are not necessary with either the PCM mounts or the Interceptors (assuming you have the same ones I have in my late 60's 289/302's). Neither are any sort of slots. These 2 components/features allow you to adjust motor HEIGHT on an engine with fixed mounts (like Vondy's H-M). You do not need them on the Interceptor or PCM style mounts. You also do not need any provision to adjust the engine fore/aft in order to get it aligned... that is usually fixed. Hopefully you took a bunch of measurements of the original set up and plan to set the engine down in the same place the factory put it. If not, then you'll need to build some squish into your stringer/cradle design, and match drill the holes once you set the engine in place. The adjustability of the mounts themselves (side to side and up/down) will take care of the rest.

CC did not utilize the side holes of the cradles in the wood stringered boats- they only lagged them down from the top. I want to say they started cross bolting them on the composite boats. Cross bolting the system is a much stronger solution, and I would highly recommend it when using a stringer core that may not hold lags well (like a composite or a plywood).

I do not like the idea of permanent fasteners at all. Bedded studs, welded nuts, bolts buried in the structure that you cannot reach or replace... they seem like a dangerous proposition. I have seen too many fasteners damaged- banged up threads, bent bolts, cross threaded, galling- to willingly design them into a boat I was rebuilding. Instead, I like to through bolt everything, and leave access to replace everything if needed. It does require a bit more thought be put into the design up front, though.