ENGINE BRACKET FLATNESS INFLUENCE ON VIBRATION ISOLATION

Deformed Engine bracket (left). Engine mount conically inclined (right).

Information about the correct installation of flexible engine mounts in marine engines.

The flexible engine mounts in marine engines act as springs. They have to work without conical, torsional or twist pre-stress. The hole of the engine brackets and stud of the flexible engine mount should be concentric. The flexible engine mounts must not be forced on the installation. When marine mounts are forced, their stiffness will be alterated, becoming stiffer and therefore providing lower vibration isolation. In certain cases, if the inclination of the surfaces are very exaggerated, we can even have a contact, that will generate a hammering noise. Below images show graphically the Does and Donts of the flexible engine mount installations.

How to recognize a flatness absence?

The main way is through visual inspection. Flexible engine mounts have to be installed flat. If they show an inclination, this is a symptom that they are being forced. At the end the mounts are elastic, and they will deform according to their stiffness depending on the direction of the force. The stiffness of the mounts can be seen on the datasheet of each Ellebogen mount.

Inspecting the flatness of the engine brackets and the bearers is often a good way of finding the origin of the inclination.

The inspection of the metal bracketry can help us to troubleshoot and find the origin of the inclination.

In case like that we recommend to install new brackets or in case that this is not possible, to straighten them as much as possible.

In case that you have doubts, you can always contact Ellebogen for troubleshooting and finding a solution to your case.