>>coupled with the fact that my "low mileage" turbo has about the
maximum allowable shaft play, is making me think about dropping the
turbo, and going back to plan A.<<
Rusty,
I came to the realization that NO motor mount should be designed until
you have your engine configuration almost fully finalized first. It is
just too complicated to entwine it all in a motor mount cage and still
have a way to disassemble critical parts and maintain it all (without
removing the mount or main parts of the engine) until you have all the
pieces arranged so that they work together first. And you still will
probably forget critical items even if you do that. I seem to find them
all the time!
And, remember, turbo shaft end play and side play depend on the oil
cushion pumped into the bearing under pressure. Your turbo may be fine
once oil is in there!!! Don't jump to conclusions.
 
[Marc Wiese]