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Choosing The Correct Swap Mounts

GM vehicles made prior to 1958 did not use motor mounts on the side of the engine. For these applications, check out our Universal Mount Solutions. For 55-57 Tri-Fives. we make conversion frame side brackets to convert them to use engine mounts on the sides of the block. 

In order to understand what conversion mount you need for your project, you need to have a better understanding of Chevrolet V8 motor mounts for your vehicle. 

 

GM V8 Early Style Motor Mounts 1955-1972

1955-1972 Small and Big block Chevrolet engines use the same style 3 bolt engine mounts other than 60-72 C10's. Early Style SBC/BBC Gen 1 engine mounts available today are classified as Short and Wide or Tall and Narrow. They are typically mounted directly to a Frame Perch

1958-64 Impala with Energy Suspension Poly Short and Wides with our aluminum LS Double-D conversion mounts

A- Frame Perch, B- SBC Early Style Motor Mount, C- LS Conversion Mount

 

Frame Perches go by many names such as towers, mounts, and stands. It's the upraised piece that allows you to mount the SBC/BBC rubber/poly motor mount.
 

Early Style SBC motor mounts are found in two different styles. Short and Wide or Tall and NarrowThe SBC/BBC motor mount is the three bolt rubber/poly mount that bolts to the Frame Perches. It does not matter whether you have a Short and Wide or a Tall and Narrow when using a conversion mount as they are the same bolt pattern on the engine side.

Early Style SBC motor mounts on their matched Frame Perch. Notice how they are about identical in height in the end. 

 

 

Every SBC/BBC GEN 1 has the same exact bolt pattern on the block for motor mounts. They never changed the engine side. The following photo's through-bolt hole with the dotted line is the easiest measurement to use to compare with your existing setup. Measure the width of your Frame Perch and then match it with one of the following SBC Early Style motor mounts. 

 

Short And Wide

OEM Part Numbers(Rubber):   3990914,   3960768,   6258154

Aftermarket Part Numbers(Rubber):   2142,   2285,   2267

Energy Suspension (Poly): 3.1114 Zinc, 3.1115 Chrome (G-Black, R-Red) 

 

 

Tall And Narrow

OEM Part Numbers(Rubber):   3962740,   3990918,   3962748

Aftermarket Part Number(Rubber): 2283

Energy Suspension (Poly): 3.1117 Zinc, 3.1118 Chrome (G-Black, R-Red) 

 

 

If you have a GM non-Chevy vehicle or a Chevy vehicle that did not start out as a V8, you have to acquire the Chevy version of V8 motor mounts for that year range GM body style. That means the Frame Perches and the SBC/BBC motor mount. For example, if you have a 1968 Pontiac GTO then you need to remove the Pontiac motor mounts and Frame Perches off the engine crossmember and purchase 1968-1972 Chevelle Frame Perches as that is the A-body Chevy equivalent. Even though it is a Pontiac, it will still have the bolt holes on the engine crossmember for Chevrolet V8 frame mounts. Check with our Info By Model section to see if we have a direct link for reproduction Chevy V8 Frame Perches

 

If you can't find V8 Chevy frame mounts for your application, then check out this Clam Shell Mount Method. Your vehicle may have already been converted to the later Clam Shell Style mounts, scroll further down and read about them as well. 

 

A lot of aftermarket K-members with Mustang-II racks from companies such as Total Cost Involved (TCI) are designed to run the Early Style, Short and Wide motor mounts on a welded tubular piece for the through-bolt

 

 

1960-72 C10's used a SBC motor mount with one 7/16 through bolt going vertical through the middle of the mount, instead of the normal horizontal through-bolt. They will utilize the same style conversion mounts.

**We cut the end off of one for the passenger side to clear an embossment on an LS engine

63-72 V8 C10 Using 67-72 V8 Frame Perches

SBC Aftermarket(Rubber): WESTAR EM2282, DEA / MARMON RIDE CONTROL A2239, ANCHOR 2282, PIONEER 602239

SBC Energy Suspension(Poly):  3.1156 (G-Black, R-Red) 

 

 

Conversion Mounts

Once you have the Chevy V8 frame perch and the Chevy V8 motor mount, you need to choose your conversion mount. 

 

 

LS GEN III/IV Conversion Mount Options:
 
Comes in plain steel which will rust over time so make sure you paint it before the final install or we can powdercoat it black for an additional fee. 
*Requires modification to the Clam Shell if not using the very front holes for OEM location
 
 
 
 
 
*Requires modification to the Clam Shell if not using the very front holes for OEM location
 
DD-SLIDER
*Not compatible with low mount AC
*No modification required to the clamshell

 

 

 

 

LT GEN V Conversion Mount Options:
 
 
*Not compatible with low mount AC and passenger side motor mount requires a notch on the lower side 

Solid Motor Mounts

If you already have the above conversion mounts and want to run solid motor mounts instead of the rubber or poly options, check out Moroso's Solid Steel SBC Motor Mount Chart. Otherwise check out our Muscle Mounts to bypass the hassle of getting the correct sized metal motor mount. 

Dirty Dingo LS Solid Mounts

 

GM V8 Clam Shell Style 1972-99

The motor mount and motor mount bracket in the following photo goes by a lot of names. A and B make up the Clamshell Style engine mount. GM refers to A as engine mount and B as a bracket. Nowadays, A is most commonly referred to as engine mount while B is most commonly reffered to as the Clam Shell. Engine mount is a loose term however and in order to not confuse the style of motor mount you have with the Early Style, you can refer to them as the Clamshell MountA can also be referred to as: rubber isolator, rubber mount, SBC/V8 engine/motor mount, "mounting, engine". B can also be referred to as: buckets, elephant ears, cups, motor/engine mount bracket, "bracket, engine mount", "bracket, engine mt". The Clam Shell Style started to phase out the Early Style Short and Wide/Tall and Narrow's in 1972.

OER makes reproduction Clam Shells but you have to understand that they are not a one size fits all. 2WD and 4WD 1973-1987 C10 will not interchange for instance. If you are removing the Clam Shells for any reason, such as replacing the Clam Shell Mount, don't forget to label them as passenger and driver side so the install is much easier. 

 

The Clam Shell Mounts and the Clam Shells themselves will vary depending on application. SBC's typically used a 4-bolt Clam Shell Mount while the BBC's and Diesels used a 3-bolt Clam Shell Mount. If you have the Clam Shell Mount and the Clam Shell, you can use the conversion mounts already listed above. Some Clam Shells need to be sanded down to a flat surface before bolting them to the conversion mount unless using the DD-Sliders/DD-LT-Gliders.

 

4-bolt Style Clam Shell Mounts have mounting holes for bolts on all four corners. Often only three holes are used.

Not to be confused with the the 3 bolt style Clam Shell Mounts where they only have 3 mounting bolt holes. 

          A- Mounting bolt holes that are flush to the engine crossmember/V8 frame perch

          B- Rivets/welds holding the clamshell together. 

 

 

There are a couple of different poly inserts for Clam Shell Mounts.

4 Bolt Style 

Energy Suspension part number 3.1116 (G-Black, R-Red)

Replaces the inserts of the following G.M. type mounts: 14039437, 9762326, 467422, 1001132, 10001133, 9764714, 459021
Replaces the inserts of the following Aftermarket type mounts: 2292

 

3 Bolt Style

Energy Suspension part number 3.1121 (G-Black, R-Red) 


Replaces the inserts of the following Aftermarket type mounts: 2395, 2621

2395 GM OEM Equivalent: 14071939, 22145334, 22188393, 334941, 357717, 3993721

2621 GM OEM Equivalent: 15529450, 15529451, 15529452, 15731260, 22188659

*2395 and 2621 are not directly interchangeable. It is possible to use one for the other, however the rubber isolator would need to be reversed so the metal tabs sticking out of the side are in the proper orientation. This would require drilling out the rivets in the clamshell mount to seperate the metal housing. 2621's are more expensive as the only application is 2WD 88-98 GM Trucks.

 

1988-00 4WD V8 and Diesel 3 Bolt Stepped Style

Energy Suspension part number 3.1152 (G-Black, R-Red) 

Replaces the inserts of the following G.M. type mounts: 15659675, 15732188

Replaces the inserts of the following Aftermarket type mounts: 2637

 

1998-2002 Camaro/Firebird Style

Energy Suspension part number 3.1151 (G-Black, R-Red) 

Replaces the inserts of the following G.M. type mounts: GM GENUINE 22179268
Replaces the inserts of the following Aftermarket type mounts: 3064

 

*We currently only sell the black graphite ones. 

Install Instructions 

   

 

 

 

If you have a GM non Chevy vehicle or a Chevy vehicle that did not start out as a V8, you have to acquire the Chevy version of V8 motor mounts for that year range GM body style. That means the Clam Shell Mount AND the CORRECT Clam ShellsYou can still buy the Clam Shell Mount from local parts store, but you will have to source the steel outer Clam Shell that bolts to the block. The problem with that is that there is many different types and they are not all interchangeable and most of them are no longer available. Don't forget that some of them are driver/passenger specific! We have solved this issue with the Dirty Dingo EZ Mounts. You may find people referring to them as the Dingo Sliders, which causes confusion as you have already seen that we have a part number DD-Slider. We can differentiate which style slider you are trying to get if you let us know you have the Early Style or the Clam Shell Style.

 

LS Gen III/IV GM Car EZ Mount Chart

LS Gen III/IV GM Truck EZ Mount Chart

 

LT GEN V GM Car EZ Mount Chart

LT GEN V GM Car EZ Mount Chart

 

 

 

4.6L Ford V8 for Mustang LS Swaps

Ford OEM Genuine:  2R3Z-6038-AB (Right)/2R3Z-6038-AA(Left)

Aftermarket(Rubber): WESTAR EM3001(Right)/EM3002(Left), DEA / MARMON RIDE CONTROL A3001(Right)/A3002(Left), ANCHOR 3001(Right)/3002(Left), 

4.6L Ford Poly Energy Suspension Poly Mounts 4.1127 (G-Black, R-Red) comes with passenger and driver side

 

79-93 Fox Body 

*Customers have reported these work on 94-95 Mustangs. 

 

96-04 Ford SN95/New Edge

 

 

 

What's the difference between red and black Energy Suspension motor mounts? Black has graphite which adds a lubrication property. Red will squeek over time unless lubricated. Energy Suspension reccomends their Formula 5 prelube. Why choose Energy Suspension and transmission mounts over rubber? The biggest reason is the safety interlock. Take a look at the following photos to see the molded-in safety interlock. If anything crazy happens and the poly rips or melts from a fire, the safety interlock will still hold your engine down. The OEM or aftermarket rubber mounts would split in half and your engine would be jumping around like a fish causing a lot of havoc in the engine bay.

This is one of the reasons you will see people converting their Early Style SBC motor mounts to the Clam Shell Style. Even if the rubber deteriorates, the engine is still held in place by the metal housing holding what was left of the rubber isolator. Aftermarket Clam Shell Mounts rubber isolator tend to sag over time or become unseated entirely from the middle. GM Clam Shell Mounts last much longer than the aftermarket, but with the much higher price it is cheaper to use the Energy Suspension Poly inserts. Poly lasts longer and is more performance oriented. A stock GM Clam Shell Mount metal housing is made of thicker material than these aftermarket Clam Shell Mount metal housings and it is preferred to clean up an old dirty OEM Clam Shell Mount metal housing than to buy a new aftermarket one with the poly insert. 

 

"Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) choose to use rubber in their bushings for several reasons, including costs and comfort characteristics. Rubber offers less NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) since it is soft and compliant, however, during spirited driving, the pliability allows for changes in alignment during acceleration, braking, and hard cornering.

 
Much like your rubber tires, rubber bushings wear out, especially when considering common factors such as heat and harsh fluids. Rubber bushings with direct UV exposure will dry out, crack, and rot, causing vital suspension components to function poorly. Some OE replacement parts use lesser quality grade rubber which may wear or fail quicker than the OE factory rubber.
 
Unlike rubber, our Hyper-Flex™ polyurethane is extremely resistant to harsh fluids. Our bushings will not dry out, rot, or crack from heat or UV exposure. Polyurethane offers superior precision during spirited driving, eliminating deflection caused by the soft pliability of rubber."
 

 

How stiff are they? These are all at 70A-70T Durometer.
 
Prothane mounts in comparison are at 80A. 
 
 

 

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