Broken engine and muffler mounts

[Stone]

I just got done tearing the engine apart for a rebuild and I am wondering if anyone else has seen this.

The crankcase bearings were worn and the shaft had a lot of play which I assume is the culprit, but just checking.

The bracket between the starter motor and the engine was cracked and welded previously, the muffler mounting brackets were cracked and welded previously, and one of the engine mounting bolts was broken off.

I always had a terrible time keeping the muffler locked down, I had to double nut it.

I am curious if the bad bearings caused all of this extreme vibration breaking heavy steel?

[Dabble Inn]

It may have been the vibration from bad bearings but it seems fairly common for the mounts to break, I had to weld the s/g mounts on mine plus the fan flange on the case was broken off. I figured all the stress went there when the other mounts failed, luckily I know a guy that welds cast aluminum.