How to / DIY > Engines
Grouting Question
Rtqii:
--- Quote from: Jim Mc on July 25, 2006, 05:25:33 PM ---
When I've done this, I set the engine (base, whatever) on little wood strips - maybe 3/4 inch high. Then you have plenty of space into which you work/pour the grout.
--- End quote ---
OK... I have seen inertia block foundations being poured, and I have seen grouted equipment mounted on the blocks... But I have never grouted equipment, nor have I seen anyone else grout equipment... And this leaves me in the dark and raises my question on this topic.
Obviously you cannot set the equipment down on the foundation block directly and grout under it. Is it my understanding then that the archor bolts are placed, the equipment is then set over the anchor bolts, and then supported by something, such as wood, the equipment is leveled, and then the grout is worked under the mounts?
That seems to be the only way to do the job correctly.
Those wood strips refered to... Are they removed at some point after the grout cures? Do you just grout over it?
Let's say I pour an isolation block and decided to mount the engine, without skid, directly to the block... Removing the skid also removes some of the flex and it seems to me it would result in a more solid mount... So I would shim up the engine base over the block using say a few strips of wood, make sure it is all square and level on the block and that the anchor bolts are all seated in the pre-cast holes in the inertia block and centered in the engine lug mounts... Then build a small form to contain the pour of grout, and work grout into the anchor bolt holes, and continue pouring until the grout comes up flush with the top edge of the engine lugs...
You just leave the wood in there then?
hotater mentioned the need for a catch pan and a drain... Since the engine will be elevated by the foundation block, I think the thing for me to do would be to form a depression in the wet grout to make a catch pan, and cast in a short drain pipe from the low end of the resulting depression to the outer edge of the block. Then paint the cured grout with epoxy to seal it against oil and fuel.
I don't think they grout wood under commerical jobs tho and just leave it behind.
Can anybody clarify this for me?
GIII:
The proceedure is to set the engine in position and level it with wedges, I would use small steel wedges, near the mounting bolts. Adjust the wedges until all is as good as you intend and tighten the bolts so nothing can move. There should be a small gap under the engine, maybe as much as 3/8" when this is done. Now make up some wooden forms that are somewhat larger than the base of the engine at a minimum or out to the edge of the concrete if you like. These forms should be high enough that the grout will finish up the side of the engine base casting a little. Seal the bottom edge of the form with silicone or putty so the grout won't leak out. To keep the forms from floating weight the corners with something heavy but leave enough room to work. Now pour the grout into the form and make sure it flows under the engine base and in 30 to 45 minutes it will be hard enough to pull the forms off. It will firmly set in a couple of days. You could pour it thick enough to landscape a catch pan as you indicated if desired. The wedges are in there for the duration and are part of the support so use something first class.
Doug:
I've seen the IM's where I work do this. Often they finnish up with some shims. Is this because they screwed the level or is this normal?
Doug
Rtqii:
Good question Doug... It seems to me that if you grouted in correctly, you don't need shims afterwards. The grout is shimming.
The whole purpose of grouting is to provide a mount that is contoured to the equipment mounts. If you have a mount that is cast specifically for a piece of equipment... Why would you have to shim it?
I have seen this type work a few times (never looked as closely as I should have and studied it tho)... But I don't recall ever seeing shims used on grouted equipment.
Doug:
They shim everything the motors, the pumps and the cast base. Maybe I'm not looking close enough but I think those are shims they used not wedges. I'll try and get photos....
Doug
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version