AEV Jeep Hemi Conversion Motor Mounts

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I don't normally post my jobs, but tenpins had asked to see these once they were done...Installed a set of AEV-manufactured 6.1L Hemi motor mounts on a 2011 Jeep Wrangler frame this morning.  Actual welding time: about 10 minutes.  Time all told, including travel: 3 hrs.  Total bill was $150.  I had thought I'd be using the XMT for this job, but their power outlet was too far away, so my TB302 was the power source instead, with a Suitcase 12RC feeder.  Lincoln L-56 .035 wire, 19.0V, 190 ipm for the vertical, 22.5V, 300 ipm for the overhead and flat.  Gas was C25 at 25 cfh.As I understand it, this customer will have around $25,000 in the conversion, and the Jeep itself cost somewhere around $30,000 plus.  The Jeep had 2,000 miles on it.Pics in this post are of the new engine assembly and a shot of the rolling chassis with a couple mechanics looking at it.  I will put the frame and motor mount pics in a second post. Attached Images
Reply:These are the pics of the cleaned-up frame and the welded-in mounts.  I didn't have to assemble the mounts - only the welds to the Jeep frame are mine.  The rags in the first pic were removed before the welds - the mechanic had good intentions, but we replaced the most important ones with a fire blanket. Attached ImagesLast edited by tbone550; 06-06-2011 at 11:47 AM.
Reply:Boy!!! I sure would like to have an extra $55000 to put in a project.What the hell am i saying, i would just to like to have $55000. Sounds interesting keep the pix coming.In the words of the great philosopher Quagmire.Gigedy Gigedy Gigedy Gigidey Goo.
Reply:Sorry my friend, but that's all the pics you'll be seeing on this project unless I can drop by when it's done.  My part of the job is over.  I second your wishes on the $$$.
Reply:Nice work ‘Bone, thanks for the pics.I realize the Tbone didn't design the mount kit, but from what we can see here so far, the slots look like they're ready-made for a catastrophic engine flip. There should be at least a flange, or stop block, or some secondary restraint, to keep the mount from walking out.Good Luck
Reply:Your welds look great to me. You're right just a tad too much wire, or just a touch more voltage. But still looks pretty darn good! Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:That much money and they are still using a Gimp Transfer case /fail
Reply:Thanks Denrep and CEP.  Denrep, I asked the mechanic about that, and he said he hadn't gotten all the parts out yet.  My guess is they've included two "U" shaped brackets a little wider than the mounts with holes through both legs that fit underneath the mounts, and the bolt goes through everything and captures it.  Or something along those lines.
Reply:Slick tbone!The hard wire welds look good to me also, what is your motion on the vertical welds at 190IPM?Matt
Reply:Matt, a straight zig-zag from side-to-side with upward progression from zig to zag is what I'm using after the first pass if it's a multi-pass weld, pausing at each end for just a little.  Very similar to 7018 vertical up, just faster.  On the first pass I sort of make a triangle, but more like a slight upside-down "U", which gives the ends just a split second more to cool.  These were all single-pass welds.Honestly the welds I posted are fine, but as CEP said and I noted in my original thread about L-56 vertical up in the MIG/stick subforum, the Trailblazer runs enough different as a power source than the XMT that I'm not 100 percent pleased with how these turned out visually, and I wish I'd practiced at least a little beforehand with the TB as an alternate power source for just in case.I got a lot of compliments on them at the dealership, but I'm a perfectionist and these just aren't perfect visually.  For example, look at the straight vertical section in the second picture.  I'd like to see the edges tied in better and a little less steel in the middle.  I must've been moving a tad too slow side-to-side, and a tad too much vertically in each upward progression.Same thing with the vertical section in the first pic, on the inside of the bracket.  On that same weld you can also see where I wasn't consistent in bead width near the middle of the bead.  It was a little tight in there and I lost sight of the weld for part of it's height until I could get my head readjusted.There are some pics of some beautiful vertical up GMAW welds on this forum.  These are OK and fine structurally, but they aren't the greatest of the great.  The best just look like art to me.
Reply:Tbone, you are your own worst critic! The welds look great, and more importantly done right. Take a moment to visualize the welds painted black with an engine plopped on top, wires running all around and "other stuff" mounted in the engine bay. You're gonna have to look very darn hard at that point to see any "imperfections". Only the artist can see the flaws in his own works. I'm sure there are "creattions" that even Micheal Angelo and Leonardo Da Vinci stood back and looked at after they were done and said to themselves "Why the F**K didn't I take a little more time on those eyes! They look damn near cross-eyed!".