Tom Boehm Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 These are the original engine mounts from my 1973 Dodge Dart 318 V8. They are out of the car because I am doing other repairs. I want to reuse these because I like to use as many original parts as possible. However, I don't want to put these back if they are bad. Can you tell by looking at them if they are bad? I am considering NOS Mopar replacements. I also considered filling the air voids with silicone if they are bad. I heard that might increase the stiffness and the vibration. I considered polyurethane inserts but I also heard those would increase the vibration. I have heard that the new aftermarket replacements with rubber are not durable and not stiff enough. I don't want to have to take these out in the future so I want to get this right. Thoughts.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 These are dry rotted and cracked. If you put these in service you will be taking them out of service very soon after. Press in new bushings. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 REPLACE! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted April 15, 2022 Share Posted April 15, 2022 The voids are there to tailor the NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) characteristics of the car. Filling them will certainly increase the amount of engine vibration transmitted back into the structure of the car. These are normal wear items. Replace them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Boehm Posted April 16, 2022 Author Share Posted April 16, 2022 OK the consensus is to replace. What do you all think about NOS? They are available on eBay and other sources. Would that work or is that just substituting one piece of 50 year old rubber for another? Is unused NOS rubber still useable or pliable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 Check with NAPA. They might stock/order them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted April 16, 2022 Share Posted April 16, 2022 25 minutes ago, Tom Boehm said: OK the consensus is to replace. What do you all think about NOS? They are available on eBay and other sources. Would that work or is that just substituting one piece of 50 year old rubber for another? Is unused NOS rubber still useable or pliable? NOS rubber products in my experience do not last. Look to install new. Drive happy. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Boehm Posted April 18, 2022 Author Share Posted April 18, 2022 How are the cylinders containing the rubber replaced? Is a shop press required? There are two versions of new sold. One is the entire mount with the bracket. That is ready to install. The other is just the steel cylinder with the rubber inside. The old steel cylinder must be removed from the bracket in order to install the new ones. How do the old ones come out? Do they just slip out if the two factory crimps are hammered/ground off? Is it necessary to use a shop press to remove and install? How is the factory crimp "re-created" when the new part is installed? If this is a lot of trouble I will just buy the entire bracket new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joe_padavano Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 Replacing those bushings is no different that changing suspension bushings. In this particular case, those bushings are staked, as you can see on the backside. Those areas need to be ground away or otherwise straightened before attempting to remove them. The other problem is that those bushings are oval, which requires oval tools to press them out. I'm sure the factory had such tools, but you'd need to find them. I've had success with flattening the sheet metal sleeve from the side, which loosens it in the bracket to simplify removal. Reinstallation can be done with a hammer, block of wood, and a bench vice. Note that you need to cut a length of angle iron to fit inside the bracket to avoid crushing it when you reassemble. Yes, you'll need to repaint. Or, buy the new ones already assembled. Your call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 Like Joe says. I did a set a few years ago and they are a bie-outch. I went with the neoprene, Didn't really notice any vibration as mentioned. And cant really be seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted April 18, 2022 Share Posted April 18, 2022 On 4/15/2022 at 4:10 PM, Tom Boehm said: These are the original engine mounts from my 1973 Dodge Dart 318 V8. They are out of the car because I am doing other repairs. I want to reuse these because I like to use as many original parts as possible. However, I don't want to put these back if they are bad. Can you tell by looking at them if they are bad? I am considering NOS Mopar replacements. I also considered filling the air voids with silicone if they are bad. I heard that might increase the stiffness and the vibration. I considered polyurethane inserts but I also heard those would increase the vibration. I have heard that the new aftermarket replacements with rubber are not durable and not stiff enough. I don't want to have to take these out in the future so I want to get this right. Thoughts.... Buy new. Here on Rock Auto for $6.00-$13.00. https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog/dodge,1973,dart,5.2l+318cid+v8,1088603,engine,motor+mount,5552 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Boehm Posted September 18, 2022 Author Share Posted September 18, 2022 In the end I bought the entire engine mount replacement that includes the bracket and new rubber. Even thought they were made in USA the steel on the new brackets was much thinner than the originals. I decided to reuse the factory original brackets. I unbent the factory crimp on the old and new. The steel oval cylinder with the rubber just slides out then. I put the new inserts in the old brackets. I could not reproduce the factory crimp very well so I put a dot or two of weld between the insert and the bracket to ensure it does not move. I did that several months ago and it seems fine. Thanks for your responses! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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