Stock motor mount removal problems

[HighPerformanceTrucks]

While I had the front differential out for refreshing, I decided it would be a good time to do the motor mounts as well. I will be installing the solid mounts.

My Sy has 117,000 or so miles and the rubber mounts are cracked and distorted.

I had to use a dremel to grind enough bulging rubber away to access the bolt heads!

The problem I'm having is a don't see any way to get access to the front pad bolts, especially on the driver's side. I can't even seem them w/o a mirror.

I don't have an engine hoist.

Any suggestions would be very helpful.

 

[JSM]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

Some good tips here.

http://www.nwstp.com/oldsite/jeff/mountstech.htm

have some good viewing angles, etc in there.

 

[HighPerformanceTrucks]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

I might just have to use a dremel cutting wheel or a sawsall to remove the old mounts.

I'll try and use what I can from the link.

Thanks.

 

[HighPerformanceTrucks]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

Got out the passenger side w/o cutting the mount up, but what a total PITA!

I used a floor jack SUV extension on top of a bottle jack on top of a floor jack under the exposed are at the right rear of the engine block to lift up the motor enough to get the lower mounting bracket to slide out. The front engine block bolt was totally obstructed by old distorted rubber covering the bolt head. I had to use a dremel w/ a grinding tip to grind and burn away enough rubber to get a grab on the bolt head. Combine that issue with very little access to the bolts to begin with and you have a recipe for a nightmare job!

Btw, I'm using solid engine mounts and was wondering if anyone has anyone w/ this setup noticed a lot of vibration when using them in conjunction w/ poly body mounts and poly front differential mounts?

 

[Turbo6]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

I get some vibration with my solid mounts but it doesnt bother me since I dont drive it often.

Got out the passenger side w/o cutting the mount up, but what a total PITA!

I used a floor jack SUV extension on top of a bottle jack on top of a floor jack under the exposed are at the right rear of the engine block to lift up the motor enough to get the lower mounting bracket to slide out. The front engine block bolt was totally obstructed by old distorted rubber covering the bolt head. I had to use a dremel w/ a grinding tip to grind and burn away enough rubber to get a grab on the bolt head. Combine that issue with very little access to the bolts to begin with and you have a recipe for a nightmare job!

Btw, I'm using solid engine mounts and was wondering if anyone has anyone w/ this setup noticed a lot of vibration when using them in conjunction w/ poly body mounts and poly front differential mounts?

 

[HighPerformanceTrucks]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

I get some vibration with my solid mounts but it doesnt bother me since I dont drive it often.

Wow, I noticed you ran into the 10's on the stock motor. Can you give me any more details?

Weight of truck?
Turbo size?
Injectors?
Engine Management?
NOS?

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

His combo is pretty well documented on this site, under the racing your brick.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

I was able to get both swollen stock mounts out using just a 15mm box end wrench for the nuts and a ratchet for the top side. Yes, the rubber had swollen and covered up the bolts that hold the mount to the motor. I used a heavy-duty box cutter with a fresh blade to cut away some of the rubber. That worked fine for the passenger side, but the driver's side was too swollen. I ended up taking out my propane torch and lighting it on fire to melt away the rubber (argh). Having the exhaust manifolds out and the motor lifted with a cherry picker sure makes it easier. I don't see how this could be done without pulling the exhaust. Will post my impressions when I get my truck running in a few months.

 

[HighPerformanceTrucks]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

I was able to get both swollen stock mounts out using just a 15mm box end wrench for the nuts and a ratchet for the top side. Yes, the rubber had swollen and covered up the bolts that hold the mount to the motor. I used a heavy-duty box cutter with a fresh blade to cut away some of the rubber. That worked fine for the passenger side, but the driver's side was too swollen. I ended up taking out my propane torch and lighting it on fire to melt away the rubber (argh). Having the exhaust manifolds out and the motor lifted with a cherry picker sure makes it easier. I don't see how this could be done without pulling the exhaust. Will post my impressions when I get my truck running in a few months.

I have the entire motor in, including exhaust manifolds. I have the front diff out though. The passenger side was the "easier side" IMO. The driver's side will be more of a challenge considering the heat shield is in the way. I am determined to have this mount changed out.

 

[Turbo6]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

Wow, I noticed you ran into the 10's on the stock motor. Can you give me any more details?

Weight of truck?
Turbo size?
Injectors?
Engine Management?
NOS?

I dont know what it weighed.

PTE52
50# injectors
Factory ECU
40 shot of nos.....ran an 11.10 without the nos.

already a 6.6 1/8 on new motor with the factory ECU so we'll see what happens in the 1/4

 

[HighPerformanceTrucks]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

Got the solid mounts in, so it is possible.

Thoughts.

Some vibration at idle and at higher rpm, but little vibration under cruise.

The tranny shifts feel WAY better.

The front axle urethan bushes are in as well.

The truck really hooks up well now.

I wouldn't go back to rubber at this point unless my car was strictly a cruiser.

 

[mrweelr]

Re: Stock motor mount removal problems

How much vibration are we talking about? Do the steering wheel and rearview mirror shake? Sure hope not, or I may take mine back out. Just trying to get a sense of how pronounced the vibration is