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Author
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Topic: HOW TO: Say Goodbye to liquid-filled Motor Mounts!
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Blacktree
Member Posts: 11043
From: Central Florida
Registered: Dec 2001
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If you have a Duke with an automatic transmission, chances are you have
the liquid-filled lower engine mount. I'm referring to the "pillow
block" below the oil pan. Not only are these mounts overly soft, but
they aren't very durable. The only place I could find that carries this
mount is the Fiero Store. And they charge over $140 for it!But
there's an alternative. You can replace that dorky liquid-filled mount
with a solid rubber mount, with very little modification. Here's how... First
of all, you need to select a solid rubber engine mount. I used the one
that the Fiero Store lists for the Duke/manual combo, and '85-87 V6.
They charge $32.95 for it (part# 52900). The number stamped on the
bottom is 2472. Once you
have your new engine mount, follow the standard procedure for replacing
the lower engine mount. There are only 2 additional things you need to
do: 1) Jack the car high enough to get a drill under there
2) After you get the old mount out, you need to modify the mounting holes in the cradle Below,
you can see photos of the solid rubber mount and the liquid-filled
mount side-by-side. The solid mount is on top. Notice the difference in
the mounting stud locations. The top mounting studs are identical. But
the liquid-filled mount has staggered studs on the bottom. The solid one
has the bottom studs inline.
On
the solid rubber mount, the front bottom stud (relative to the car) is
1/4" further forward. And the rear bottom stud is 1/2" further inboard
(toward the center of the car). You'll need to modify the holes in the
engine cradle accordingly. I used a Dremel with a grinding bit to slot
the front hole, and a drill with a 3/8" bit to drill the rear hole. See
photos below.
 BEFORE
 AFTER
You
can see that I slotted the front hole 1/4" forward, and drilled a new
rear hole 1/2" closer to the center of the car. The solid mount will now
fit.
 BOTTOM
 TOP
Then you just finish putting everything else back together. That's it!  [This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 05-17-2005).] IP: Logged |
James Bond 007
Member Posts: 5530
From: California.U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002
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That was worth my A+ rateing...IP: Logged |
boysatt
Member Posts: 1020
From: Moorhead, MN USA
Registered: May 2005
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Wow that info would have been helpful last weekend. I have a 87 fiero
with a automatic, and it had that very crappy motor mount and it was
beyond shot, it was gone. Well after a day of calling around I found the
only way I could get the exact same one was to go through the dealer
and that was $180. I found if you took a 85 motor mount and modify the
mounts on the engine and cradle and it will work. Good post though, this
should help a lot of people.IP: Logged |
Gordo
Member Posts: 2977
From: East Guilford, NY, USA
Registered: Mar 2002
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The 88 5-speed Dukes also have the liquid filled mount. Never saw one
torn up like that though. What condition is your dog-bone in?IP: Logged |
theogre
Member Posts: 17357
From: DE, USA
Registered: Mar 99
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I'm not a huge fan of the fluid mount. They are ok when they are fresh
but don't last all that well. The fact it is next to imposible to keep
them from getting oil soaked on the cars with spinon filter doesn't
help. Next mount of any kind that I do there is getting some sort of hat
to keep the oil from running down the bracket from the filter onto it.
No matter what I've tried to catch the oil when changing the filter has
always ended up with some on the mount and frame bracket. The solid
mount looks to have the same crap catching sump in the middle so I'd
recomend something to keep oil out of it as well for long life. No motor
mount last long soaking in oil. (Same effect as putting oil in your
brake system but takes longer to kill it.)2472
is the Anchor part number and you can get it thru most parts stores.
Autozone.com shows it for $11.99. Fiero Store stuck you for around $20
plus shipping charge if any. Partsamerica (Advance Auto) wants $15.99.
Still less than half what FS wants. 
Source: Partsamerica.com
------------------
Dr.
Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether
or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurasic Park) The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...) IP: Logged |
Blacktree
Member Posts: 11043
From: Central Florida
Registered: Dec 2001
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Gordo: The dogbone is OK. The rubber bushings are intact... no
cracking or splitting. And the transmission mount (single mount) is in
perfect condition.My car is an '87
SE with the Duke/auto combo. This has to be the worst combo as far as
engine/tranny mounts are concerned. It used a liquid-filled lower engine
mount (weak), along with a single tranny mount (puts more stress on
engine mounts) and a dogbone with really mushy bushings (lets the engine
dance around). The end result is wrecked mounts, a cracked exhaust
manifold, and a beat-up air cleaner box. I
replaced both the lower engine mount and transmission mount about 3 yrs
ago. As you can see, the lower engine mount didn't last very long. The
combination of the retarded engine/tranny mount setup and oil spillage
must be what ruined it. I'm thinking of swapping to dual transmission
mounts as well. [This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 05-17-2005).] IP: Logged |
theogre
Member Posts: 17357
From: DE, USA
Registered: Mar 99
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The dual trans mounts can't hurt, that's for sure. I've wanted to do
that for some time now but haven't had the time or parts. Plus it makes
working in the trans a hell of allot easier if you need to do the TCC
electricals or add a shift kit.I
run a set of polyurethane bushings in the strut. You get some more
vibration at idle but it is better than breaking intake and exhaust
parts because of too much engine movement. Whoever came up with the mono
mount should be kicked in the head. IP: Logged |
86GT3.4DOHC
Member Posts: 9238
From: Marion Ohio
Registered: Apr 2004
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Im pretty positive advanced should have the liquid mount in stock
somewhere 20-40$. If im not mistaken it was used in a lot of other GM
cars too. IP: Logged |
zMacK
Member Posts: 2194
From: NY
Registered: Apr 2004
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they came with liquid mounts?
99% of them on the road must be blown out.IP: Logged |
Blacktree
Member Posts: 11043
From: Central Florida
Registered: Dec 2001
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I checked with several auto parts stores (Advance, Pep Boys, CarQuest,
Central) and none of them even had a listing for a '87 Duke/auto lower
engine mount. When I bought the liquid-filled mount 3 yrs ago, the only
place that had it was Discount (now Advance). They don't carry it
anymore. Ironically, I bought it under the assumption that it was a
solid mount. That's how it was listed in their computer.  [This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 05-18-2005).] IP: Logged |
Blue Shift
Member Posts: 863
From: Antioch, CA
Registered: Oct 2004
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I dealt with the evil liquid mount awhile ago. I started a thread a bit ago too: http://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/059890.html (Ogre Note: Link Edit for Archived. )Part
numbers at the bottom. The liquid mounts are still available for 45
bucks at Kragen. Part number Anchor 2548. Anchor 2472 is the solid
rubber mount (16 bucks at Kragen). Don't bother trying to search by
application - as Kragen themselves don't even know what this is for,
though they had it sitting on the shelf when I went in. Strange. Now of
course, as you may have figured out, the liquid mounts suck. I've been
very strongly considering doing exactly what you just did. + For you! ------------------
Chris
IP: Logged |
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