Mustang 5.0 solid engine mounts

[shenion]

I knew they were worn. They are captive so the engine won't fall out. When I rebuilt the engine, no one stocked them. Did not want to know the dealer price

Was driving to my folks in Florida. 30 miles to go; some slowpoke in front on 2-lane road. Finally chance to pass, dropped down to 3rd and blew by him.

Immediately noticed A/C crapped out. Then temp gauge going up. Steering got tight. Crap, lost serpentine belt.

I managed to make it to my folks just as the batt meter hit 8V and temp went into red. Fan had marks on it from hitting shroud.

Checked around, the mounts are still $129. More than I can afford to spend right now. Found solid mounts for $65. Heck for that price, i could make them

Decided to just weld the old ones together. Royal pain to get out, wires, fuel lines and oil filter right next to mounts. Got one out. The bushing on the captive part was all but gone.

Carved out the rubber, still a mess. Definitely calls for stick welding as it will never be clean.

Did ok. Lincoln Fleetweld 6013, 3/32" (2.4mm). Weld one bead, then stop and put fire out. Nasty smell of burning rubber.

Yes, the U-plate is a bit crooked. I am replicating the position it was in.

I have two extra control arm bushings from the Jeep. May look at making a mount using a bushing if I can get it to fit.

 

[malcolm]

It's annoying when replacement bits cost more than the car. I have that trouble with Renault, so use aftermarket suppliers in France and Germany.

Apart from protecting the chassis from some unusual fatigue issues the rubber mounts should stop a load of harshness coming into the car. Harshness is that rough un-lovely noise and vibration that is easily removed by the rubber isolation which also attenuates other frequencies. How does the car feel after the change?

 

[shenion]

The car rides as if the axles were welded to the frame. The suspension is so damn tight; you can have a flat tire and not even see it. It just won't let that wheel go lower.

The fox-body Mustangs are in high demand. The engines were no big deal (only 215 HP) but the body/frame was so overdesigned that it has become the preferred model for drag racing.

I don't notice any difference