280SE/A motor mounts

[jarednelson1]

Do you use the 280SL motor mounts for the 280SE/A engine.

[MikeSimon]

280SE/A is an identification on the cylinder head. It does not identify the engine whether it is a M130-983, -982, etc.
It probably depends on what car you are mounting the engine into.

[ja17]

All Pagoda engines used the SL motor mounts in conjunction with the steel metal anti-torque plates. The plates prevent the engine from "twisting" during hard acceleration. The steel plates also prevent the engine from rising too far as the car moves over bumps in the road. If the plates are left out the engine's valve cover can actually contact the aluminum hood and damage it. Some of the early sedans used the same system in the early years. Later sedans used a different (square mount) without the anti-toque plates. In this case engine torque was prevented by the addition of a anti-torque shock on the front of the engine. This system was never used on Pagoda which should always use the round mounts with the steel anti-toque plates.

[MikeSimon]

Joe: can you point out a place on the site where the steel torque plates are shown?

[Charles 230SL]

Here's an image and photo of the torque plates Joe is referring to. The one in the photo is for an early 230sl (up to chassis 12864)
Good info here too: https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=33148.msg241691#msg241691

[Leester]

The SLS diagram doesn't show it but #1 and #7 are above the subframe and #12, #8 and #6 are below the subframe. The stop plate, #12 and the bolt that holds the stop late in place, #6 limits the upward travel of motor.
 
I think its also described in the BBB but you may have to go back to the 1959 version.

[dirkbalter]

@Lester, not sure what exactly you mean by below the subframe. The motor mount assembly including # 12 goes on top of the subframe. Some components will penetrate into the subframe.

[Leester]

Dirk, you are so right - serves me for not consulting the BBB. I stand corrected!  Lee

[dirkbalter]

Dirk, you are so right - serves me for not consulting the BBB. I stand corrected!  Lee

No worries, lol. You scared me.

[jarednelson1]

Sorry for not being clear.
I have a 1970 280SL and just installed a 280SE/A or 130.980 engine.
Got new 280SL motor mounts from Mercedes Dealer (original parts).
I was worried as I read that the 280SE engine uses different mounts.
I hope the correct plates come with the original parts

[ja17]

You must use the correct SL aluminum engine supports (aluminum supports going from the engine to the motor mounts). Sedan and SL engine supports are different. The sedan engine supports will cause the engine to rest too high in an SL.  The hood will not clear the valve cover.

[rgafitanu]

Sorry to revive a year old topic. Ja17 you mention that the sedan engine has a shock absorber in the front. My W111 has a 230 SL engine and when it was mounted 30 years ago it was (probably) left out. I am trying to replace the mounts with new (fresh) rubber mounts and it looks like I will have to use the square mounts. If I would not be able to use the counter screw and anti torque plates with the square mounts then I should use the shock absorber? Where exactly was this? I don't have any of the parts circled below.

[ja17]

Both versions were designed to resist engine "torque" (twist) during hard acceleration of the engine. In addition the "stop plate" version in the SL was designed to restrict engine movement upward when traveling down very uneven road surfaces. Excessive movement could actually create contact between the engine and hood. Both the SLs and early W111 cars used this configuration. With the later sedans the engine/hood clearance is wider and stop plates are not needed. Only the torque arm and shock were used to restrict engine "twist" during severe acceleration. The later square mounts for the sedan are more robust than the original 230SL mounts and never used stop plates. You really do not need the torque arm and shock. in your W111, unless you are expecting extreme use!

[rgafitanu]

Thank you, hardly extreme use. I should not have used original NOS mounts. 50 years old rubber cannot be as flexible as it was when it was vulcanized. I could not find the 3 holes on the right hand side of the engine bay that would hold the 130 shock absorber bracket anyway.