Solid motor mounts

[HOT_ROD_CAR]

I installed a set of SOLID motor mounts and a transmission cross-member mount into my 351C Ranger instead of the stock rubber mounts. I expected additional vibration. Not having had solid motor mounts before, I'm not sure if this is normal or if there is something wrong with the harmonic balancer. Any thoughts?

 

[gotmudd]

I installed a set of SOLID motor mounts and a transmission cross-member mount into my 351C Ranger instead of the stock rubber mounts. I expected additional vibration. Not having had solid motor mounts before, I'm not sure if this is normal or if there is something wrong with the harmonic balancer. Any thoughts?

motor mounts are made of rubber for a reason, so that you DON'T have vibration, roflmfao

 

[HOT_ROD_CAR]

motor mounts are made of rubber for a reason, so that you DON'T have vibration, roflmfao

As I said in the original post, I knew there would be more vibration. But, should the engine bounce up and down? I should have said "to that degree?".

O.K. A few years ago, I bought a car where the previous owner had tried to remove the harmonic balancer without using a wheel puller and the engine bounced up and down and vibrated to almost a thump when reved up. After I replaced the harmonic balancer, all of this went away. This Ranger feels exactly the same. This engine has been sitting for years and just recently fired up. The harmonic balancer came off a 1970 351C. The running engine itself is a 1972 351C CJ. I was just wondering if there are any differences in them, or maybe the harmonic balancer was damaged before I bought it. I did not have it running before, so the only comparison I can make is to a 5.0 with cushioned mounts. This 351C seems to bounce up and down as it is reved up just like the harmonic balancer is out of wack. But, if this seems normal, I can live with it. I was just concerned that if there was a balance problem, it would damage the main bearings.

 

[mhughes165]

As I said in the original post, I knew there would be more vibration. But, should the engine bounce up and down? I should have said "to that degree?".

O.K. A few years ago, I bought a car where the previous owner had tried to remove the harmonic balancer without using a wheel puller and the engine bounced up and down and vibrated to almost a thump when reved up. After I replaced the harmonic balancer, all of this went away. This Ranger feels exactly the same. This engine has been sitting for years and just recently fired up. The harmonic balancer came off a 1970 351C. The running engine itself is a 1972 351C CJ. I was just wondering if there are any differences in them, or maybe the harmonic balancer was damaged before I bought it. I did not have it running before, so the only comparison I can make is to a 5.0 with cushioned mounts. This 351C seems to bounce up and down as it is reved up just like the harmonic balancer is out of wack. But, if this seems normal, I can live with it. I was just concerned that if there was a balance problem, it would damage the main bearings.

change it, there cheap enough, and better todo it now then lead to catastrophic failure later, and if it still does it after words then dont worr about it, but what u could do to elimiate some of the engine movement, get like a 1" thick hunk of rubber about 3x5 and mount them under the engine plates to the cross member, that will absorb alot of the motion, they will wear down and have to be replaced every few years though

 

[HOT_ROD_CAR]

change it, there cheap enough, and better todo it now then lead to catastrophic failure later, and if it still does it after words then dont worr about it, but what u could do to elimiate some of the engine movement, get like a 1" thick hunk of rubber about 3x5 and mount them under the engine plates to the cross member, that will absorb alot of the motion, they will wear down and have to be replaced every few years though

I agree. I already ordered a harmonic balancer. Thanks for the idea. I'll test out your idea and see how it works. I just thought it might be a good topic for discussion for those of us with less experience. Thanks!

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

motor mounts are also soft to absorb the torque of the motor. i have to wonder how long until your solid mounts stress crack and your motor rolls over in your engine compartment

just seems like kind of a bad idea to me...

 

[Psychopete]

I had a 327 with "solid" mounts in an '85 Grand Prix, engine wasn't very "bouncey" at all.. What transmission are you using? Is it possible that you are using a 28oz balancer with a 50oz flex plate?

Pete

 

[HOT_ROD_CAR]

I had a 327 with "solid" mounts in an '85 Grand Prix, engine wasn't very "bouncey" at all.. What transmission are you using? Is it possible that you are using a 28oz balancer with a 50oz flex plate?

Pete

I used a AOD out of a 87 Crown Vic that was bolted to a 5.0.

 

[HOT_ROD_CAR]

motor mounts are also soft to absorb the torque of the motor. i have to wonder how long until your solid mounts stress crack and your motor rolls over in your engine compartment

just seems like kind of a bad idea to me...

Ya, at this rate not very long.

 

[dangeranger01]

Solid motor mounts work great, your gonna have alot of additional vibration its normal with them. You should also chain the motor down just in cas, but no matter what mounts you use a perfromance motor should be chained down. As long as the tranny is solid mounted also you shouldnt have any problems breaking mounts, just make sure nothing gets loose.

 

[OilPatch197]

I've always wondered how come nobody has ever improved on the rubber motor mount design.

I would have figured ford would have tried somthing radical over the years, such as clamping the motor IN instead of bolting it down.(I'm thinking a cargo strap over the top of the motor!)

 

[Psychopete]

I used a AOD out of a 87 Crown Vic that was bolted to a 5.0.

FWIW, my '87 Grand Marquis AOD had a 50oz flex plate. Are you running that '87 flex plate with a stock 28oz balancer?

Pete

 

[almostclueless]

If youre using the 87 flexplate, it IS a big problem.


Also if youre using the 87 flexplate, you really should be reading up on what youre trying to do instead of just doing it.

 

[HOT_ROD_CAR]

FWIW, my '87 Grand Marquis AOD had a 50oz flex plate. Are you running that '87 flex plate with a stock 28oz balancer?

Pete

Well, it sounds like you figured it out! Thank you. I will pull the tranny and replace the flywheel with a 28 oz.

 

[HOT_ROD_CAR]

If youre using the 87 flexplate, it IS a big problem.


Also if youre using the 87 flexplate, you really should be reading up on what youre trying to do instead of just doing it.

Thank you.