The 1275cc engine mountings consist of two rubber mounts, each carried on a bracket that bolts to the body side with three screws and washers. The mounting is secured to the engine bearer plate by studs and nuts. Each bracket is handed (left and right) and is not interchangeable side to side.
Worn Mount Symptoms
Rubber engine mounts deteriorate over time, particularly if contaminated with oil from leaking gaskets or seals. The symptoms of worn engine mounts include excessive engine movement visible when blipping the throttle, a thud felt through the body when engaging drive from neutral, and in severe cases the fan blades contacting the radiator cowling or the exhaust manifold touching the body.
When replacing mounts, anti-seize compound should be applied to all bolt threads, and the mounting bolts should be tightened to specification with the engine's weight resting on the mounts, not with the engine suspended on a crane.
Gearbox Mounting
The gearbox is supported by two mountings on a bracket bolted to the transmission tunnel floor, with a steady bush providing lateral restraint. When removing the engine, the recommended procedure is to undo the mounting from the engine on the steering-column side (leaving the bracket on the body), and on the opposite side, undo the bracket from the body (leaving it on the engine). This avoids the difficulty of realigning the engine into the bracket V-cradle during refitting.