JDM swap and motor mounts

[Park]

I'm swapping a JDM 2.5 in my 1997 Legacy Outback GT, and am having a bit of difficulty getting the bolts from the motor mounts to drop into the slots, they are a bit too far forward. The engine&transmission are mated up snug.

Is there some trick I need to know about?

[mike-tracy]

You might need to move the dogbone/engine pitch stopper up and out of the way. Also if a buddy can push your hoist towards the car while you lower it, that might help.

[Dead91silvia]

Mike is right. It will fit, sometimes they are pain.

[Park]

Thanks for the help!

I raised the engine on the floor jack, and removed the bolt from the front of the dog bone/engine pitch stopper, the engine shifted position relative to the bolt hole.

I lowered the engine, and the passenger side engine mount bolt dropped into the hole easily. I already knew the engine was off center a bit by the starting position of the bolts, so I raised it again, pushed on the engine a bit, and then used a pry bar to shift it towards the driver's side. Lowered the jack, and both bolts went in.

I used the pry bar to shift the engine more, until the bolts and engine were approximately the same distance from frame, etc, and put on the nuts. They aren't in exactly the same position as before, I can tell because of the clean areas from where the washers were before, but I figure 1/8" or so isn't going to make a difference.

It was insanely easy with your tips.

[mike-tracy]

Glad it was that easy. One time I installed the motor mounts on the wrong sides, and I literally tried everything to get it to go in, up to and including a comealong, lol. My friends were telling me that it was because of the brand new bushings were too stiff and I needed to slot the engine crossmember. Luckily I had an engine on the stand to compare to and noticed the problem easily. Well after a day of struggling, lol.

Welcome to the forum! You should create a members ride with pics of your Leggy.

[Park]

We had the original US engine mounts in, and the mech giving me direction/assistance thought we should switch to the JDM mounts in case that was the problem. We did, but your advice kept me from switching again. ;)

Mine is a 97 Legacy Outback GT. Sunroof, hood scoop, black/dark purple with sparkles, and the oversize rims (which make the tires a lot more expensive).

[Park]

I need to measure the mounts, the engine isn't quite square with the radiator/engine compartment. It seems to be canted about 5 degrees upwards at the front, and maybe the USDM and JDM mounts are slightly different in thickness. I don't think that it matters that much, and since it started (minus a fuel pump problem? which I'll ask about on another topic), and would like to run, I may wait to do anything about it.