Guys, I would like to update my website a bit, have we agreed on who makes the best repro body mount kits since the GM NOS stuff is pretty much gone...?? later Tim
C'mon guys, jusy need where you bought it and how happy you were...lets share the info so others can get the results they want... Thanks Tim
Tim- I bought a set from Ground Up Restorations. I haven't even opened them yet, let alone installed them. Is there a good way to evaluate them before installation? Things to look for? I'd be happy to check them out of you give me some idea what to look for. Thanks.
Some good info here: http://forums.performanceyears.com/eve/ubb.x/a/tpc/f/4986070911/m/4571054021 Possibly different than the std. bushings.
Scott, in that link, the bottom picture ones don't look so bad. I know the ones I had show up were garbage, they eventually went back. Can see mine at : http://members.shaw.ca/timcr/mounts.html Ken, I'd look for correct height, some real support from the insulators (the repro ones I had were about 1/8" thick wall and pretty much useless), centered cores, smaller diameter cores (more rubber for insulation) and hardness. If yours look like the ones in my pictures, I would send them back. I'd like to get info from a bunch of people, then maybe once and for all we can figure out who makes the best mounts for our Buicks and save everyone a lot of hassle. Interesting stuff in that link, the height difference between repro is a good point, I know the GM NOS ones were 1/4" higher but also slightly softer rubber. Still, wheel to wheelwell spacing is pretty much bang on (on the back anyway, the front still has lots fo weight to be added). The lower mounts would give you more of a lowered look (1/4"- 1/2" as mentioned in link thread is fairly substantial) but also creat clearance problems with lines etc. Thanks guys. later Tim
Body Bushings I hear some of the Riviera guys are using Corvette body bushings. I can't confirm that but I thought I'd let you guys know. I have had to us Ford , Chevy, and even Pathfinder ou: parts. Ya got use what ever you can get sometimes o No: , especially with these older Buicks to keep them working. :beer
According to my assembly manual, the following body mount hardware is required for a 71 Flint built GS (minor variations for other plants): Mount Location, Mount Number/Color, Insulator Number/Color, Bolt Reqd, Washer Reqd, Nut Reqd 1 1385569/Violet 1377367/Yellow 3859709 No Yes 2 1385569/Violet 1377367/Yellow 3859709 No Yes 3 1383298/Black 1377367/Yellow 3902231 No No 4 1383297/Black N/A N/A No No 5 1383297/Black N/A N/A No No 6 1383301/Black 1377367/Yellow 3859709 No No 7 1383301/Black 1377367/Yellow 3859709 No No Core Support 1383301/Black 1377367/Yellow 1236881 Yes Yes Mount Type Total Required 1385569/Violet 4 1383298/Black 2 1383297/Black 4 1383301/Black 6 Including Core Support So, (16) total Insulator Type 1377367/Yellow 12 Including Core Support Bolts Required 3859709 8 3902231 2 1236881 2 For Core Support I purchased Body Mounts from Ground Up Restoration in Meriden Connecticut. There web address is www.ss396.com. I purchased the following from them: DCC-1516 Body Bushing Kit Coupe 68-72 Chevelle w/Bolt Kit for $99.95 Their website says: Our kits come complete with correct rubber bushing with steel inserts and factory style OEM correct Flanged Heads frame bolts and OE washers. The top of the box they came in says dii M1453 Chevelle 1968-72 Body Bushing. I assume dii is the manufacturer of this kit. The Kit comes with (8) mounts with their part number CV05-M60-4 molded in. It also comes with (2) mounts with their part number CV07-M58-2 molded in. (10) insulators are included with CV07-M58-1 molded in. Finally, (2) mounts of the bolt-less variety are included with CV07-M60-2 are included. The included bolt kit has (8) bolts with the same shank and thread size as original in a 2.5 inch length. There are also (2) bolts with a 3.0 inch length. The head configurations on all bolts look very similar to original and they appear to be black oxided. (10) washers are included that have a 1.875 OD, .47 ID and are .125 thick. The washers appear to be Zinc coated. There are also (2) each lock washers and nuts. I also bought a supplemental kit as the counterman said that the Buicks have more mount points than the Chevelle. The supplemental kit is DC-1519 and included (2) CV05-M60-4 Mounts, (2) additional insulators and (2) 2.5 inch bolts. No washers included. The CV05-M60-4 Mounts are 2.5 diameter, 1.0 inch tall, have a smaller diameter of just over 1.5 that is .375 tall. There is a pressed in Drawn washer that has a .600 inch ID for the bolt to pass and a diameter at the base of just over 2.0 inches. The metal thickness is .125 at the base, slightly thinner where its drawn for the bolt to pass. There is no top (or bottom as assembled into the car) metal washer like the originals that would sit on top of the large diameter and have an ID on the smaller rubber diameter. The CV07-M58-2 mounts are 2.0 inch diameter by 1.0 inch tall, have a smaller diameter of just under 1.5 that is .435 tall. The washer covers the whole diameter and is the same thickness as above. The CV07-M60-2 mounts are 2.5 diameter by 1.125 thick.They have a smaller diameter of 1.5 thats just over .300 tall. The CV07-M58-1 insulators have a molded in washer, are 2.15 OD, 1.5 ID and are .875 tall. They have a .30 wall thickness. The mounts I received feel much harder than the old 30+ year old ones, but I dont think that means much. I have access to a durometer if someone could tell me what Shore scale to use (assuming someone has measures NOS mounts). I am left with a few questions after reviewing the assembly manual, the kits I purchased, and the originals I removed: 1. Where are the two smaller diameter mounts to be used? The number 3 position is the only position to use (2) mounts different than the others, but the originals look way more beefy. 2. The originals have (4) of the boltless mounts that go to the 4 and 5 positions. The kit only has two. Is the supplemental kit supposed to be used for the two additional mounts? It looks like it would be possible to use the mount without the insulator and bolt. 3. What am I supposed to do with the washers included? Maybe Chevy specific? Or possibly use with the insulators (even they have a molded in washer)? Im hoping someone can do similar measurements on NOS parts as a comparison. Overall, the parts appear to be a of decent quality with a minimum of molding defects noted. Opinions from those in the know? How about it Tim?
Well that is certianly a better looking kit than I had, for sure. the mounts are fairly faithful of originals as far as I can see. I have no idea what the washers are for, given the insulators already have molded in washers there wouldn't be much point using them under the bolt although that appears to be the intention with 10 being supplied. Did the kit come with instructions of any sort? On the Chevelles, the #7 position would appear to be higher and narrower for some reason. My kit was like that too (and thats where the instructions specified they go). All buicks have the bolt in mount in the #1 postion, regardless of hardtop or convertible. The chevelles only got the #2 mount in that area (ie, the inboard one was not used) except for convertibles. On my ragtop (and on your car) even though it was not used new, there will be a body nut located at the #4 position which will take a bolt in mount. The different divisions moved them aorund to get different ride, etc. Putting a bolt in mont in the #4 position will help with axle control I have been told, chevies often had bolt in mounts there but the one under the door was a solid. My NOS 1242761 upper mounts spec out as 2.5" OD, 1.125" tall (rubber part), and have a hole diameter of 13/16". They are fairly hard but do have some give (no duromter here sorry). Ca't compare to old ones since they were rotted away to nothing (see my website for more pics). The steele rubber insultaor which are almost an exact duplicate of the GM ones (no longer out there) are 1.75" OD, 7/8" tall, 1/2" ID for bolt, and wall thickness of 3/8". they have a molded in .125 steel washer. So you know, on my car I used the 1242761 at the rad support, #1, #2, #3, #4, #6 and #7 positions, with the solid type at the #5. According to the GM parts book I have here, that is correct for replacement mounts except for the #4 which they also specified as solid, but I figure with it being a ragtop it could use all the help it can get (my car had same as yours for removal part numbers). The rad support ones might be a touch high as fenders sit up a bit....may have to go to one of those rad support bushing kits and shim as needed to get proper alignment. But its very clsoe as is and may settle with more weight on the support (rad, coolant, battery etc). Hope that helps. My idea with this thread was to eventually have one good source of info to avoid exactly this, ordering stuff from all over and then trying to sort out what works and what doesn't. On the other hand, freidn ordered up a chevelle convertible kit and threw them in, didn't even look at them really, worked out fine so maybe we're beating ourselves up for nothing?? Pic of NOS 1242761 attached. later Tim
OK, thanks for the response, Tim. It seems my set is pretty decent, so it's a keeper. Actually, my original solid mounts look perfect, like brand new, so I may use them again. Thanks for the explanation on the 7 location smaller diameter Chevelle mounts. I had a feeling that is where they went. I have a core support kit around here somewhere from yearone. If I find it, I'll do similiar measurements.
On my cars I've always bought the mounts sold by OPGI. They seem to be much more rigid than oem mounts and don't squash out, but their appearance is considerably different. Although the OPGI kit does come with original GM mounts on the ones that are not bolted down. When it comes down to it a car cannot be restored to look 100% assembly line fresh anyway. They didn't use triple chrome plating, base clear paint, catalyzed frame and engine compartment paint or powder coating. I bet people would really be shocked if somebody had a 0 mile GS that had been left totally untouched, then sat it alongside a 100 point restored GS.
You're not shocking anyone, everyone knows old cars were put together badly. 99% of the cars on the road today are over restored or overdone for sure, but its only natural to want to make things the best you can when doing something and 35 years of technology certainly helps. I've said it many times, if you made your resto totally correct people would think you did a crappy job!! The rubber on the NOS mounts isn't THAT soft. The kit Ken has easily surpasses the s**t I saw as reproduction mounts, which is good for everyone. I made my selection from the available choices open to me and have no regrets. As for the NOS mounts squishing out and collapsing, I'll let you know when they fall apart :beer later Tim
Year One? Has anyone used the body mounts and bolt kit from Year One? What is the final verdict on where to go for these? Thanks
