What 302 motor mounts work?

[Shran]

'86 2.9, FM145. Will be swapping a 302/NP435/NP205.

What motor mounts work? I have been reading and doing a lot of searching and have not come up with a clear, definite answer as to what mounts work in a 4x4. I am working under the impression that 4x4 and 4x2 302 swaps require different mounts because they have a different front crossmember, but I don't have a 4x2 handy to compare. Is there even a difference?

As I understand it, my options are:

stock 2.9 mounts with adapter plate (cheap, not ideal)
85-93? Mustang GT Convertible stock mounts (ideal, cheap!)
71? F150 - (don't know? not much info about this one)
Duff (way too expensive.)
Summit brand (again, too expensive)
L&L - ($$$)
Advanced Adapters - (one more time $)

My requirements are cheap and as close to bolt-in as possible. I would like to avoid making those adapter plates if possible....just one less thing I have to deal with. I will do it if it is absolutely necessary, though.

I swear I will write up a tech article or something that details exactly what is available and what works in a 4x4...there is a TON of information out there for 4x2 but 4x4 seems to be lacking. Maybe I am just overthinking this one like I did with my u-joint thread, but I really want to get this right the first time.

 

[okietheranger]

im useing 89 mustang gt convert mounts they were easy to install but in my 4x4 app i think the motor sits too high about 2 inches above the engine craddle i think the f-150 mounts will put it down more but i havnt tryed them, hope this helps

 

[simonsays]

i used these on my truck mounted on the opposite side of the motor..

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=ENS-4-1124R&N=700+115&autoview=sku

 

[JoshT]

Damn how much do those L&L mounts run? I picked up a set from I guy I was in school with who's dad used to use them for mocking up motor swaps as part of his performance business. The guy was going to use them for putting a 302 in his Ranger but sold the truck first. He found out I was wanting to put a V8 in mine an sold them to me for $100 from what I was told at the time (from forums, not the guy) it was a good deal. I was planning to find a wrecked explorer, stroke it to 331, and put a manual transmission behind it, and drop the combo into my 84. Of course it hasn't happened yet but the mounts are sitting on a shelf in storage waiting for the exploder to come along.

 

[Shran]

im useing 89 mustang gt convert mounts they were easy to install but in my 4x4 app i think the motor sits too high about 2 inches above the engine craddle i think the f-150 mounts will put it down more but i havnt tryed them, hope this helps

This is good news...did you use a double sump pan or a rear sump one? Also, did you have any problems getting the bellhousing to fit in the tranny tunnel? I am definitely not afraid of pounding the shit out of that, just curious. I see you have a body lift so I am guessing you didn't?

Damn how much do those L&L mounts run?

$175

I have no idea why these things cost so much! They look really simple to build, the hardest part would be finding bushings to fit.

'stang mounts are looking really good at this point! $45 for both is more than fair to me considering the alternatives.

 

[okietheranger]

yes i have a 3 inch body lift i also had to pound flat were the seams come together on the fire wall for the tranny im running a c-6 dont konw if that matters or not, well im useing a 89 mustang 5.0 HO it has a duel sump pan clears with no problem. i also switch the mustang mounts left side on right and right side on left made it a little more center for drilling the holes for the studs

 

[Shran]

Cool...I am gonna try using the Mustang mounts and see what happens. If it comes down to it I can always return them. I am using an early bronco rear sump oil pan so the extra clearance may end up being a good thing.

 

[v-8power]

I am using an early bronco rear sump oil pan so the extra clearance may end up being a good thing.

Does your pan look like this?

 

[RedRange]

Cheap.... EH...

Understood, your working on a budget man... as are most of us. However i would deff go with an advanced adapters kit, they have been in the industry of motor swaps for a long time. Motor mounts are deff a place to spend the extra cash, the last thing you want is that 302 to tear itself off the frame and rip itself and your engine bay up, youll just end up blowing 5 times the money you saved on the mounts reparing the damage. If you have a friend or know somebody who is a machieneist you can get them made cheap, theres a guy arround where i live that had them machiened out of alluminum, hes running a 347 stroker motor with abour 480 at the wheels. However its a 2WD, you may want a bit more stout metal for a 4WD. Anyways hope that helps. Good luck.

 

[Shran]

Does your pan look like this?

Nope, that one's a double sump right? Mine is the stock one from a '74 Bronco 302. I can't find a pic of it anywhere, it's just a rear sump pan.

Understood, your working on a budget man... as are most of us. However i would deff go with an advanced adapters kit, they have been in the industry of motor swaps for a long time. Motor mounts are deff a place to spend the extra cash, the last thing you want is that 302 to tear itself off the frame and rip itself and your engine bay up, youll just end up blowing 5 times the money you saved on the mounts reparing the damage. If you have a friend or know somebody who is a machieneist you can get them made cheap, theres a guy arround where i live that had them machiened out of alluminum, hes running a 347 stroker motor with abour 480 at the wheels. However its a 2WD, you may want a bit more stout metal for a 4WD. Anyways hope that helps. Good luck.

I absolutely agree and if I was going for a high(er) horsepower setup I would definitely do better motor mounts. The main reason for the swap is the reliability factor and the NP's 1st gear. I think the 302 I am using is only rated at like 160-180 hp so stock 'stang mounts should hold up.

 

[Shran]

Bringing back an old thread - and - as promised, I have results.

I used the '85 Mustang GT Convertible motor mounts, and they work great. I ended up cutting slots in my crossmember so I could slide the engine in easily and level it up.

So far so good, hope this helps someone. FWIW the mounts were about $40 total from RockAuto.