Anyone ever notice that ignition boxes are almost always mounted on the engine and the instructions that come with the boxes say to never mount it on an engine. Any thoughts on this? Any good mounting alternatives?

Vibration would be my thought.

I mounted mine on the bulkhead in the engine bay right in front of the motor. That way the wires to the battery and the engine harness remained short and I could try and hide the remainder of the coil and dist wires along the block. I used the rubber shock mounts that came with the box and just wired everything to fit the length from the engine to the bulkhead. Easy to get at and easy to replace if it fails. (Which it was when it did!)

I know vibration is the issue. I find it curious that they say not to mount them on the engine but that is almost always where they are mounted. I have two new Crane boxes to mount and I am wondering if it might be better to mount them somewhere other than the engine. Ghostrider, that looks nice and clean. My bulkhead is loaded up with pumps and lights and inverter etc.

The mounts they sell come with little rubber bushings.
At least mine did. if not u can make some. the closer they are the easier and better it is.

We mounted one to a transom one time using a bicycle inner tube cut and folded multiple times for add cushion. It seemed to work well.

I used the innertube idea on an electric fuel pump in a car. That was to keep the vibrations from the pump away from me though. Holley Blue. If I did mount it on the engine I was thinking of drilling out the holes in the mounting plate and using rubber grommets in the bolt holes where it bolts onto the engine.

the heat of the engine room is why they want them out of there, try under the rear seat if you feel you have to have one...Rob

Yes, I do need one. It handles the timing curve.

BCK I have crane boxes installed in my boat with Crane coils. I can Email you a picture of what I did. i mounted them on a plat with the coils and Mercathode/breaker and then mounted the plate on the back transom. Worked out great. the transom should be the best place for lack of vibration and the most stable surface in the boat.