Alrighty then, lets get back to body mounts...(work great!!) Last one on this topic. Since we have lost some threads, this is for the guys who bought NOS 1242761 upper body mounts for their 70-72 cars....you can use the GM 457915 lower insulators or the Steele Rubber reproduction insulators p/n 70-2165-48, but the big problem was always where to get new rubber non bolt in biscuits. On a hunch, since the mid 80's cars used almost the same upper mount, I ordered their biscuits....turned out one was so close to the original as to be almost perfect. They have a pointy part in the middle that needs to be trimmed off, but otherwise are same diameter as stock 70-72, plugs into frame fine, and sits about 1/8" higher than stock, but will compress easily once under load. GM p/n 488610 You can see a picture here with them installed in my ragtop chassis. More info here: http://members.shaw.ca/timcr/mounts.html Still need to update site for the new upper biscuits. later Tim
Hey Tim-- glad you found happiness with the body mounts--- Maybe I missed it on your site (or not) but have you decided on a core support mount vendor???
Hi Dan, well as for the core support I did two stupid things. One was only ordering enough of the 1242761 to do the main body, should have ordered two more for that position as well (they will work). The second stupid thing was telling everyone about these mounts because when I went back to order the other two, they had gone discontinued in like a month!!!! I don't regret telling everyone, just wish I had been smarter than I was about it... I did buy enough to do my stage 1, but am still hunting for 2 more of the 1242761 for the core support on the ragtop. I have a core support cushion set I ordered years ago from year one, might just use that up. One thing about the core support, some cars were shimmed up huge under those mounts to get the fenders to sit right, so if its not a perfect match, can always use shims to make up for it. Also, today we set the body down on the chassis, and bolted it all up. We had no issues with the mounts but once the car comes home (still in primer ), then I will get under there and take some pics, double check everything and let you know how it all fits (little busy today at the shop, got doors hung and trunklid on, rounded up all my parts, just need to truck it home tomorrow). later Tim
OK, did a little poking around under car and all is well. In fact the mounts even look good!!! The mid 80's monte 457915 lowers worked very well, and give a wide area of coverage. They are the exact depth of the steele rubber reproductions (and the originals) so you get good clamp up. Here are a couple of pictures..please excuse the dust. I am going to try a couple rubber steel insulator reproductions and see how they work..paint them yellow like factory and would look really cool under there... And yes, current bolts are incorrect...will be re-coating the proper bolts soon....(body might have to come off again later anyway). later Tim
Tim, I have been reading your post, and I wonder if you could claify something for me. Is there not a company who makes a complete set of body biscuits? Do you have to piece it together, to get all the body biscuits? Thanks, Scott
Of course, you can buy several different reproduction sets...after ordering two and sending both back because they were crap, I went on a mission to use original GM stuff. Since I started, the 1242761 have gone discontinued, so the whole thing is really only for the guys who bought those up. later tim
Tim- I also checked for that part number and they aren't available anywhere (as you said). Do you have any suggestions for us guys that don't have the NOS parts? At least maybe tell us which repro sets are crap? Also, what is the proper bolt finish for the mounts? (I've got a fastener finish fetish going) Thanks a lot.
Hi Ken, well that is the problem, it seems the retailers are always changing suppliers, I got two different kits from the same place and while the first was complete garbage, the second would have been useable I guess. but they show up in a plain box, no name or labels or anythig like that. Just an install diagram. As for the bolts, they should be black oxide coated. Also, don't buy the hardware kits, I tried those too and you can go to your local bolt supply house and buy the same bolts/washers for about 5.00. Steele Rubber makes great reproduction insulators, I may still switch to those...paint them yellow and they will be hard to tell from stock. Its too bad so many repro parts aren't that great. its quite discouraging. I could see the repro mounts not lasting at all, rubber was soft, the metal parts were less than half as thick as GM, etc. Just not sure what to say there...and a car like yours should have the best of everything. later Tim
Hi Tim, Your car looks great! Have you come across anyone that does sell the solid rubber mounts {the ones with no thru bolts} individually? I need a couple for my '69 GS convertible before I can progress any further. Thanks!
Hi Brian, no other than the GM 488610, I have not located anything that will work as well. I do have a bunch of the original ones I bought up if you are interested in that route. Most guys I guess are using either the inlcuded repro stuff or using the original solids and glueing a washer or soemthing on top to take up the set after all these years. Hopefully someone will make a good repro set one day. I'm looking for some more 1242761 so if anyone has some for sale, let me know. later Tim
Hi Tim, How are you? Are you still looking for the NOS GM #1242761 upper body cushions? I followed your advice and bought 12 NOS GM uppers, Steele lowers, and the NOS GM that don't have the bolt going through them. I appreciate your postings. They really helped!
Lower cushions by Steele are a top quality reproduction. Did anyones 1242761's come with lowers? Three of mine did. Here is a picture of Steele reproduction lower on the left and an NOS GM lower on the right with a yellow paint marking.
Brian- Where did you get the NOS parts from??? And are there more available from that source??? I covet them....
Hi Ken, I initially contacted an old friend who is a GM dealer parts guy and he confirmed that they have been out of stock since January 2004. After that I spent a few minutes on the internet and found them at our Buick supplier, CARS. After three long distance phone calls, they finally confirmed they had twelve. I bought all twelve for my project. I don't think they have anymore. I am guessing they bought these used off of someone because two of the cushions came without boxes and looked like they had been holding a radiator support in someones failed restoration. I wish I had better news for you Ken as I enjoy your company on the board and love your car. If I stumble on anymore you will be the first to know. I do have two more NOS that I had in my basement that I originally bought for my GSX in the eighties. I plan on making those Tim's if he still needs them. Good luck!
Hey Brian- Thanks for the update. I figured it was a one shot deal, but it was worth asking. I'll keep my eyes open for some! Take care, Ken
Hi Brian, things are good, just doing the test fitting of car before paint to make everything is good before final disassembly of car for paint. More time than money these days. I'm ok on the mounts having already found some but keep those two.... There is a place out there that has 10 listed as in stock, but a guy would still need to use the rad support repro kit that some places sell. I didn't write down who it was, but they wanted huge money, like 28.00 each or something...crazy...I couldn't afford that.... Cool on the "extras" you got, no idea what happened there. My upper mounts didn't come in boxes, just a clear GM bag. And yes I was very impressed with the steele rubber repro pieces, not sure why they would do just the bottom but they would probably work with the repro sets out there too, at least it would look good from the bottom of the car. Perhaps they are planning on doing the uppers as well??? How is your project coming?? Later Tim
It is going pretty well. I will attach a few pictures. Over the summer I prepared a '71 455" and cloned it to look like a 400 cube mill. The numbers matching 400 is in the background while the 455" is in the foreground on this shot.
