This is a very graphic illustration of why the choice of coatings for engine mounts should be considered very carefully.  Lots of people have their mounts powder coated, others paint them like they are part of the airframe and use high-build primers and then multiple layers of urethane paint.  Both of those systems can easily mask the early stages of developing cracks due to their thickness and inherent flexibility, and, as such, are poor choices of coating for a welded engine mount IMHO.  It would be far better to use a lacquer-based primer and lacquer topcoat, both of which protect adequately in very thin layers, and they dry very hard, right to the point of being brittle.  Their combined thickness doesn't need to exceed about 0.0015" (yep, that's one-and-a-half thousandths of an inch)  and due to their hardness any breaks beneath them will be instantly apparent.   Just my $0.02 and I always wear my flame suit.

   <Marv>


From: PKkelle@aol.com [mailto:PKkelle@aol.com]

"""
Jim, here is some information on the recently discovered engine mount
problems in my ES. The pictures are attached and show some major breaks and
widespread cracking in the welds. It is my opinion that these cracks
indicate improper welding procedures in my mount, and there may also be a
problem in other early ES mounts. I have not got any professional opinion on
the welds, and really don't intend to, but the cracks all appear to be in
the heat-affected zone adjacent to the weld, and this is the area of concern
in most high carbon material where embrittlement might occur.
"""