Birkin engine mounts, Kent engine.

[3Ducs]

Does anyone know if Birkin is still in business? I have a 1999 S3, sans engine, I need engine mounts to fit a Ford Kent engine. I've gone to their site but there seems to be no activity in the last ten years. The last from them shows them setting up business in Colorado. My example seems to be of a high standard, though I haven't been around other marques such as Caterham. I'm having a 1600 or 1700cc engine built, the car came with a Ford T9 transmission, what may be Honda brake calipers, and four 15 inch Panasport wheels. I haven't had the wheels off yet so I don't know the width, the tires are 205/50-15, very dried out, the car was stored in an enclosed trailer since 2012. The car has a live axle. It was never registered, just autocrossed and time trialed from what I am told. 

 

I'm looking forward to getting it on the road though that probably won't happen until next year, I live in New Hampshire, once the snow comes in November the season is over until late April or early May, the salt has to wash away. 

[MV8]

A competent fabricator could build mounts and brackets but would need the car to do a proper job unless you found a birkin owner willing to loan their brackets for copying to a (local to him) competent fabricator to make a jig around. Things get "lost" in the mail.

[wdb]

How closely did Birkin hew to the Lotus/Caterham design? I have an engine mount for a Caterham/Kent. Maybe two, I can check when I'm back home if they might do the trick.

[MV8]

The birkins I've seen use a urethane bushing mounted in the engine bracket with the center bolt horizontal and running laterally, but they were using more modern engines. Cat arms are available new but there are subtle variations. The rubber mount is for a Jaguar XKE.

[11Budlite]

These are the best photos I have of the Birkin mounts for a Zetec if that helps.

[11Budlite]

There's a phone number for Tom Carlin on this page: https://birkindirect-usa.com/pre-owned/

[3Ducs]

1 hour ago, 11Budlite said:

These are the best photos I have of the Birkin mounts for a Zetec if that helps.

Thank-you for these excellent photos! I will be using a Kent engine, 1600 or 1700cc. 

[MV8]

Here is a Birkin crossflow left mount. I expect the hidden part is like the zetec.

[3Ducs]

1 hour ago, 11Budlite said:

There's a phone number for Tom Carlin on this page: https://birkindirect-usa.com/pre-owned/

Thank-you. I just called and left a message. I'm hoping to have the car on the road this season but it probably won't happen. Once the snow falls here in New Hampshire and the salt goes down on the roads I'll have to wait until late April or early May, the salt needs to be washed away by rainfall. 

 

Here's a pic of my car, the towel wrapped exhaust manifold is seen inside the engine bay. 

 

[pethier]

3 hours ago, wdb said:

How closely did Birkin hew to the Lotus/Caterham design? I have an engine mount for a Caterham/Kent. Maybe two, I can check when I'm back home if they might do the trick.

Totally different head.

 

Caterham chassis mount is vertical.  Birkin chassis mount is horizontal.

 

[pethier]

On 8/1/2025 at 12:08 PM, 11Budlite said:

These are the best photos I have of the Birkin mounts for a Zetec if that helps.

I have a set of Birken mounts for Zetec motor.

 

I bought all the Birkin parts my friend Steve did not need for his Electric Birkin project.

 

I'd compare the mounts to my Kent engine but it is in a different city right now.  If the OP finds out that Kent and Zetec mounts are interchangeable, I'm open to offers for my Birkin/Zetec mounts.  My Kent-buyer has a car that is unlikely to use Birkin mounts.

Edited August 4 by pethier
typo, as usual

[3Ducs]

I'll look into interchangeability between mounts. The man who will be building a Kent engine may know. 

[IamScotticus]

@3Ducs we need to see your mount location. See what you have there to work with. 

You might take Jag XKE mounts.

You must show us what you have.

Edited August 1 by IamScotticus

[3Ducs]

24 minutes ago, IamScotticus said:

@3Ducs we need to see your mount location. See what you have there to work with. 

You might take Jag XKE mounts.

You must show us what you have.

At the moment all I have is the S3 car, no engine, so this will have to wait. I sent a text to the Kent engine builder, no response yet. Sadly, it isn't like it used to be. 

 

[3Ducs]

Here is the mount on the frame, just ahead of the aluminum tank.

[IamScotticus]

@3Ducs

My first idea is yank out the oil cooler.  Shouldn't need it in NH.  Un-clutter and un-complicate. 

Then I would relocate that coolant catch can and consider putting the XKE mounts there.  

When the engine comes in, and you get it staged up in the bay, centered with a bubble level across the thermostat housing and resting on the transmission mount and a floor jack under the pan (I would do a steel pan before a dry sump), exhaust connected, intake connected and bonnet and nose attached, set your height to allow for 1/2" setting and mock up engine mounts with PVC pipe and PVC 1/4" thick base board.  These will glue together with pvc cement.  Take this to a welder buddy to fab.

I think building a mount for XKE type mounts will be simpler to construct.  This has to be dead last because you must route around the oil pump and exhaust.  With the Birkin,  although close, don't expect Caterham mounts to be the right length. Although,  I think they might come close enough to be able to shim the engine sides.  Transmission mount location and engine setback will need attention.

 

What transmission and bellhousing were used?

Is a Birkin tunnel able to clear a T5 transmission? It's probably easier to find a T5 than a T9 or Escort 4spd.

 

I will send you pics of my xflow mounts.

Edited August 2 by IamScotticus

[pethier]

5 hours ago, 3Ducs said:

Here is the mount on the frame, just ahead of the aluminum tank.

Yup.  Looks Birkin.  Found my Birkin/Zetec mounts today.  Forgot to shoot them.

[3Ducs]

7 hours ago, IamScotticus said:

@3Ducs

My first idea is yank out the oil cooler.  Shouldn't need it in NH.  Un-clutter and un-complicate. 

Then I would relocate that coolant catch can and consider putting the XKE mounts there.  

When the engine comes in, and you get it staged up in the bay, centered with a bubble level across the thermostat housing and resting on the transmission mount and a floor jack under the pan (I would do a steel pan before a dry sump), exhaust connected, intake connected and bonnet and nose attached, set your height to allow for 1/2" setting and mock up engine mounts with PVC pipe and PVC 1/4" thick base board.  These will glue together with pvc cement.  Take this to a welder buddy to fab.

I think building a mount for XKE type mounts will be simpler to construct.  This has to be dead last because you must route around the oil pump and exhaust.  With the Birkin,  although close, don't expect Caterham mounts to be the right length. Although,  I think they might come close enough to be able to shim the engine sides.  Transmission mount location and engine setback will need attention.

 

What transmission and bellhousing were used?

Is a Birkin tunnel able to clear a T5 transmission? It's probably easier to find a T5 than a T9 or Escort 4spd.

 

I will send you pics of my xflow mounts.

I have the T9 transmission the car had when it had the original Kent engine. I think you are correct about the oil cooler, simplify. 

[wdb]

13 hours ago, 3Ducs said:

Here is the mount on the frame, just ahead of the aluminum tank.

 

Yep, my Kent mounts for the Caterham won't work.

[IamScotticus]

Here's a Caterham Xflow mount on a XKE isolator.

 

Yes, those are fan blades. 

Three holes in the frame. Simple.  And you need simple.  But the Birkin mount is superior in that it resists sway better.  The XKE isolators go soft quickly in this car.  But If you can't locate Birkins, I think the Caterham/Lotus type is easier to fab.

I will have to see if XKE isolators are available in a more durable rubber.  Lately they have been known to be produced taller in height than what 7s use. Either taller or the rubber doesn't compress for the engine to settle at normal height.  So I have read.  I have new isolators I will have to compare. But this isn't a problem for anyone building new brackets.

Edited August 2 by IamScotticus