Xe engine mount fitment issues?? 56k (what still??)

Right as some of you may be aware, my blue nova has now gone to a new home, (i'll let the new owner tell all when he's good and ready!) so i decided to get my ass into gear today and fit my xe in my other nova.
I've used a brian sidebotham (sp?) kit which just consists of an o/sf mount and a spacer for the gearbox. I've never used one of these mounts before, having previously used m-tech stuff, and i'm having a few issues.
I think the engine sits too high in the bay? The bonnet won't shut either. ( i don't really want to hack a piece out) It sits level but i think it's way too high? now this may be down to the fact that i'm using solid tas mounts, but these were used in both my previous cars ( one 1.4, one 2.0) and i never had any probs. The inlet seems unusually tight against the bulkhead, and the nsf mount seems slightly ascew? There's no way that i'm going to get any sort of heater hose on the inlet pipe, even after i've shortened it. I've dropped it out and re mounted it but it's still exactly the same?
If the engine sits any lower though the o/s mount will foul the cambelt covers, and the bottom pulley is about 4mm from fouling the chassis leg as it is now. (admittedly this could be cured with more machining, see pic 2)
Now the other issue is that there's very little room for the inlet bellows to fit, the hose will almost have to be squashed to half it's size to fit it between the camgaurd and strut top. Is this normal? if so how have others done it? silicone hose?
What do we think? does it look ok or am i just being picky/worried Lol!!):thumb:

oh and before anybody criticises me for not stitch welding it, that's a job for next winter, for now it needs to be up and runing for mot and pvs!!!

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n/100_1332.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n/100_1331.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n/100_1336.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n/100_1334.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n/100_1335.jpg

well I don't think it's you being piccky if the bonnet won't shut!

Sounds to me like the o/s support bracket isn't quite right - is this part of the kit or is it a simple spacer job. I assume the car hasn't formely been a diesel and as such may have had the mount piece welded on. When I trial fitted my 2.0 the other week i noticed the osf mounting was a bit scew - I don't know if this is normal. I took some time and noted that the engine could be set perfectly level and straight left to right. So this is something to look for - measure it accurately

You have to do a bonnet cut out, simple as really. Have done on all the ones ive done. If you dont then the engine is sitting on the piss.

The OSF mount needs to be through the top hole where it attaches to the TAS mount, john, thats how mine is fitted (i have the same bracket) that will probably sort it. Can you show me a pic of the NSF mount mate, as mine sits level as well.

My tas mount only has one bolt hole, and i've got it throught the middle hole on the engine mount. If you put it through the top hole on the engine mount, it jams the cam covers against the body mount. Get you a pic in a bit bt.

when i've previusly used m-tech stuff the bonnet has always shut ok? Its a 1.2, and judging by my first pic it looks quite level?

It does seem to sit level, but as said, too high.
The drivers side mount looks right, as it looks identical to a chris astley one, altho i've seen it with the top hole used.

Which shell is that John? a new one? Looks a proper minter.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n/100_1340.jpg

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l2...n/100_1337.jpg

It's and 85 mk1, bought it for spares but it's actually too good to break.

If you compare the gearbox side to mine...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...P/DSC00108.jpg

... looking at the bolt on the cluster caseing before the box dissapears behind the inner wing, you can see mine and yours are pretty much spot on the same, however mine is attached on the OSF to the top most hole on the adaptor mount.

What are you saying is fouling when you mount it to that? Or havent you tried it yet?

omg i hope mine gos in ok you runing the same set up as me :(

He's tried the top hole Bt, says the cambelt cover touches the mount...