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Motor positioning for fabbing motor mounts

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Tremelune

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Jun 23, 2010
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129
Location
USA
I'm putting a Nissan Leaf motor into a classic Mini and I'm at the point where I need to figure out how to modify the front subframe to accommodate the Leaf motor. I'm struggling to find someone in LA that I trust who wants to do the work, so I figured I'd give it a whirl. I've never fabricated mounts, and I'm having trouble figuring out how to position the motor stably and consistently so I can measure, cut cardboard, adjust position, measure, cut cardboard, etc...

My current plan was to put the subframe on the ground and shim it so it's "level", then hang the motor above with my hydraulic crane. It might work, but it sure seems like it'll be an awkward process, with swinging, rotation, lowering over time, and a general lack of precision...Since this car is FWD (and axle location/length/angle matters), I don't want to be ham-fisted about it...

Another thought I had was to get the Leaf motor on an engine stand, and movethe subframe around it...It just also seems a bit awkward and might block where the subframe needs to be.

How do the talented line everything up? The motor is too heavy for me to repeatedly lift/move, and this isn't a tube frame; it's a lotta curves:

subframe-top-measured.jpg


motor-rear-measured.jpg


motor-right-measured.jpg
 
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bigguns69

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Aug 23, 2011
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411
Location
Iowa
Agree, I have used wood and built a motor mock up, mounted motor mounts to my mock up, then built motor mounts that attach to the frame work from that.
 
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OccupantRJ

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May 15, 2009
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Eastern North Carolina
Make a few 1” high, 6” long wood wedges and keep them forever. You will use them. They work for many things in a workshop. Use them along with various wood blocks to position and align things. I also have a setup of steel wedges and blocks for heavier activities. Posterboard or cereal boxes work well for patterns. You can thank me later if you like.
 
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bradpac

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Sep 8, 2013
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Central TX
As all have said, block that motor up on the subframe. Where at least one of the mount locations is accessible, make that mount (tack weld for now) and mount it, move the blocks if need be and make another one.
 
OP
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Tremelune

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Jun 23, 2010
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129
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USA
Great stuff, thanks! I rigged up a bit of a gantry just to hold some weight. I'm gonna put a proper hoist on it so I can balance this motor while trying to figure out where to cut out relief for the motor to fit...

gantry.jpg
 
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Marctrees

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Mar 5, 2015
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Location
TX/LA border - Toledo Bend
The idea of prototyping w wood, like proper thickness plywood is excellent.

Baltic Birch for cleanest most accurate edges.

Can buy single "Craft" sheets like 1'x2' cheap like on Ebay,

Even locally at like Hobby Lobby, Micheals, etc.

Lot faster cheaper to work w ply... gel Cyano glue great for quick "welds".

Bandsaw and stationary belt/ disc sander are the tools.

Make the mounts w the ply or whatever 100% through completion...

Patterns then simply reproduce w steel.

Marc
 
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sanddan

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Oregon
You're lift looks sketchy as hell but I know I've done things in the past that might just be in the ball park. Since you are going to build your own mounts and that involves welding you might consider building a metal A-frame as practice. It would be safer and good practice and if you put wheels on it also a great permanent tool for the shop. Or check your local CL ads for an engine hoist. Should be able to find one for less than $100 and will come in handy on this kind of project.

I second watching the Binky series, great stuff but it will take longer than one evening.
 
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ItsNemo

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Mar 5, 2016
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Location
Canada
sanddan said:
You're lift looks sketchy as hell but I know I've done things in the past that might just be in the ball park. Since you are going to build your own mounts and that involves welding you might consider building a metal A-frame as practice. It would be safer and good practice and if you put wheels on it also a great permanent tool for the shop. Or check your local CL ads for an engine hoist. Should be able to find one for less than $100 and will come in handy on this kind of project.

I second watching the Binky series, great stuff but it will take longer than one evening.
Click to expand...

He's only dealing with at most a couple hundred pounds and is not under it and is not wheeling it...his rig is perfectly fine for that sort of weight.
 
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rsanter

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Dec 22, 2007
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18,487
Location
visalia ca
Similar to what you have done, I put the subframe on jackstands and shim it to orientation it would be of it was in the car.
I use a trans or ATV jack to adjust and hold the engine/trans where I need it to be.
Facing the mounts and the welding is easy.

If you wanted to take a trip to visalia on a weekend I could likly help you out and be done with it in a day
 
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toplessHO

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Oct 20, 2014
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Location
central florida
another idea is to use the Leafs subframe as a template.
Use axle center lines on both to set it up just like Nissan did.
when you get the positioning jigs finished cut the part of Leaf
subframe that can be used in the Minis subframe and marry the 2.
 
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Marctrees

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TX/LA border - Toledo Bend
I would be so excited doing this kinda thing.

It's like totally SO exciting for me.

My only concern here is getting everything lined up for driveline alignments to be alll happy.

Heavily resto/ MODDED 76 Jeep Cj5 from bare frame, V8 and heavy 4 spd, custom driveshafts many years ago.

I REALLY hope we have a full Shop in Heaven.

I fully expect We will.

Marc
 
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Marctrees

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TX/LA border - Toledo Bend
I have done cardboard and then some cases Plywood mockups many times... Definately the way to start a unknown Prototype.

Actually, going to do it soon for a Toe Pincher Coffin 6'Highback chair for a Customer soon.

Like a Black/ Red Velvet Throne Chair for like Morticia Addams.

Crazy.

Marc
 
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LX-Markham

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Apr 27, 2013
Messages
2,929
Location
Markham, Ont.
where is the link to the electric Mini build thread?

edit: found it, linked right in the first post, d'uh me.

edit edit: I'm only halfway through the build thread. Interesting stuff.
 
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