While the “engine mounting plate” appears stout enough, have you measured for “flexing” under the sever gyro force load of the spinning prop? Is that where side loading may be developing?
You are confusing the entire plate with what happens inboard of the bell housing perimeter. The plate is bolted in 10 places around the bell housing, effectively making it one with the housing. Then, only 1″ inboard, the structure from the aft drive section, further reinforce the integrity and assure consistent alignment of the drive input shaft to the crank centerline. We have tested this by flexing the tip of the plate forward 4″ with less than 0.001 deflection inboard of the bell housing perimeter. Many mistakes this plate for being very heavy. In fact it is not. The weight is only 7.5lb and provide the engine with an engine mount, gearbox mount, starter mount, oil cooler mount and cooling system mount. the plate is reinforced by traditional aircraft triangulation, using 4130 N steel tubing.
