AUSTIN VERT TALKS ABOUT 1973 MUSTANG ENGINE MOUNTINGS.

[Austin Vert]

Hi to all,

My apologies if my discussion below has been covered before regarding 1973 engine mountings. I know there has been a lot spoken about 1,2,3 mounts in the past, but for me, i am still in the dark somewhat as to actually finding workable solutions to replacing the motor mounts in my '73 Convertible with a 302 Windsor engine.

I have been doing a decent amount of research lately on trying to buy new or used '73 Convertible motor mounts, without much luck at all. I have also been looking into the prospect of getting my original motor mounts repaired and replaced with new vulcanized rubber inserts, without much success either. I am aware that the '73 Convertible motor mounts and the '73 pedistal/ frame mounts are exclusive to 1973 Convertibles only. In my case, my original factory motor mounts appear to be in still good serviceable condition, but being rubber, they could go west in the future sometime, and i wanted to be prepared to replace them when necessary.

My research has led me to West Coast Cougars and a company called Westar in the USA. West Coast Cougar of course, deal in factory oem used parts for '73 Mustangs, but have not got any stock of used '73 Vert motor mounts.
So thinking of my fellow Forum members, i did more research and got together a simple chart explaining the various options for all 1973 Mustang owners, be it for Hardtops/ Convertibles or Coupes. (see my chart below).
The good news it would seem, is that this Westar company produces new rubber motor mounts catering for all '73 model owners. I hope i am not proved to be wrong here, so fingers crossed i guess.

So regardless of your engine, be it a 351 Clevo, a 351 Windsor, or a 302 Windsor, you can purchase motor mounts for your Convertible, Coupe or Hardtop. It breaks down that the Coupe and Hardtop run the same pedistal/ frame mounts, and need to be married up with the matching motor mounts. The Convertible pedistal/ frame base mounts are different, and also needs to match up with their own special motor mounts. The Westar company caters for both the Verts and the Hardtops/ Coupes by offering up two separate styled motor mount parts. (see my pics below). In my case, my frame mounts are in great condition, and don't need to be replaced. I am only interested in eventually replacing the motor mounts. If you need to replace your existing frame mounts for any reason, then West Coast Cougar is probably the place to go, as they sell the oem used frame mounts.

I will get in contact with Rock Auto/Westar who sells and deals in these Westar motor mounts and verify if they are indeed suitable for our '73 Mustangs. I notice their are plenty of E bay sellers, selling on these same Westar motor mounts as well. The asking prices are very cheap as well. If i run into any problems with product compatibility issues, i will report back to the Forum and update my situation. I also notice that the Westar mounts are not captured by design, as the factory '73's are. This should not present any issues i hope with buying this product. Also, West Coast Cougar recommend going to 1972 frame and motor mounts as a get out of jail solution if you can't find any 1973 motor mounts for your Convertible. That is a solution i will explore later on if i run into trouble with the Westar products.

Lastly, this website could be worth checking out if you own a '73 Hardtop or Coupe only. They are offering repaired, new rubber replaced original motor mounts for sale. Best of luck there.

https://www.mustangsetc.com/73-mustang-302-351-motor-mount-rebuilt-fits-coupe-fastback/
Many thanks,
Greg.

UPDATE! (9 - 01 - 2024)

Hi again folks,

I have just been in contact with the tech rep from the Westar Company, to verify that the motor mounts for the 1973 Mustang, Convertible/ Hardtop and Coupe they are selling, will fit up OK with the original factory pedistal/ frame mounts. In both cases, they tell me that there should be no problems or issues with the correct fitment or fitup. On that basis, i will go ahead and order a set of motor mounts for myself with the expectation of having no problems.
I also asked about their '73 motor mounts not being metal captured. He did not know about that really, and could not provide an explanation as to why they designed and manufactured them that way. I feel that i am buying a quality product here, and hope that there would be no separation issues over the life of the mounts. He did say that Westar had been manufacturing these motor mounts for about 20 years or so. Wow! That puzzles me, as i wonder why the World has not heard of these products being available at all, over the years. I stumbled onto them by going to the Rock Auto website, and looked up my year model. It was that easy! In any case, i will give them a try and see how i get on. I will try and report back later on when i get them, and give another update on how i got on.

Greg.

 

[bkdunha]

Great research and thank you for sharing.

 

[Big Red Mach 1]

When I when to a Blue Thunder intake that was an inch taller, I needed to drop the engine in order to keep my Ram Air setup. I ended up using the shorter 73 pedistals and used the 71-72 style mounts. Lowered my engine 5/8". Worked perfect. I've also heard that others have tried that and it didn't work for them. Not sure why. I had no problem at all. Just had to lower the fan shroud.

 

[AcesArneson]

Hi to all,

My apologies if my discussion below has been covered before regarding 1973 engine mountings. I know there has been a lot spoken about 1,2,3 mounts in the past, but for me, i am still in the dark somewhat as to actually finding workable solutions to replacing the motor mounts in my '73 Convertible with a 302 Windsor engine.

I have been doing a decent amount of research lately on trying to buy new or used '73 Convertible motor mounts, without much luck at all. I have also been looking into the prospect of getting my original motor mounts repaired and replaced with new vulcanized rubber inserts, without much success either. I am aware that the '73 Convertible motor mounts and the '73 pedistal/ frame mounts are exclusive to 1973 Convertibles only. In my case, my original factory motor mounts appear to be in still good serviceable condition, but being rubber, they could go west in the future sometime, and i wanted to be prepared to replace them when necessary.

My research has led me to West Coast Cougars and a company called Westar in the USA. West Coast Cougar of course, deal in factory oem used parts for '73 Mustangs, but have not got any stock of used '73 Vert motor mounts.
So thinking of my fellow Forum members, i did more research and got together a simple chart explaining the various options for all 1973 Mustang owners, be it for Hardtops/ Convertibles or Coupes. (see my chart below).
The good news it would seem, is that this Westar company produces new rubber motor mounts catering for all '73 model owners. I hope i am not proved to be wrong here, so fingers crossed i guess.

So regardless of your engine, be it a 351 Clevo, a 351 Windsor, or a 302 Windsor, you can purchase motor mounts for your Convertible, Coupe or Hardtop. It breaks down that the Coupe and Hardtop run the same pedistal/ frame mounts, and need to be married up with the matching motor mounts. The Convertible pedistal/ frame base mounts are different, and also needs to match up with their own special motor mounts. The Westar company caters for both the Verts and the Hardtops/ Coupes by offering up two separate styled motor mount parts. (see my pics below). In my case, my frame mounts are in great condition, and don't need to be replaced. I am only interested in eventually replacing the motor mounts. If you need to replace your existing frame mounts for any reason, then West Coast Cougar is probably the place to go, as they sell the oem used frame mounts.

I will get in contact with Rock Auto/Westar who sells and deals in these Westar motor mounts and verify if they are indeed suitable for our '73 Mustangs. I notice their are plenty of E bay sellers, selling on these same Westar motor mounts as well. The asking prices are very cheap as well. If i run into any problems with product compatibility issues, i will report back to the Forum and update my situation. I also notice that the Westar mounts are not captured by design, as the factory '73's are. This should not present any issues i hope with buying this product. Also, West Coast Cougar recommend going to 1972 frame and motor mounts as a get out of jail solution if you can't find any 1973 motor mounts for your Convertible. That is a solution i will explore later on if i run into trouble with the Westar products.

Lastly, this website could be worth checking out if you own a '73 Hardtop or Coupe only. They are offering repaired, new rubber replaced original motor mounts for sale. Best of luck there.

https://www.mustangsetc.com/73-mustang-302-351-motor-mount-rebuilt-fits-coupe-fastback/
Many thanks,
Greg.

UPDATE! (9 - 01 - 2024)

Hi again folks,

I have just been in contact with the tech rep from the Westar Company, to verify that the motor mounts for the 1973 Mustang, Convertible/ Hardtop and Coupe they are selling, will fit up OK with the original factory pedistal/ frame mounts. In both cases, they tell me that there should be no problems or issues with the correct fitment or fitup. On that basis, i will go ahead and order a set of motor mounts for myself with the expectation of having no problems.
I also asked about their '73 motor mounts not being metal captured. He did not know about that really, and could not provide an explanation as to why they designed and manufactured them that way. I feel that i am buying a quality product here, and hope that there would be no separation issues over the life of the mounts. He did say that Westar had been manufacturing these motor mounts for about 20 years or so. Wow! That puzzles me, as i wonder why the World has not heard of these products being available at all, over the years. I stumbled onto them by going to the Rock Auto website, and looked up my year model. It was that easy! In any case, i will give them a try and see how i get on. I will try and report back later on when i get them, and give another update on how i got on.

Greg.

Which mounts did you get? I bought the 2258's for my 73 Vert but they were so hard to get on I will be taking them off. I had to loosen all the motor mount and pad mount bolts to get the long bolts through. I must have bought the wrong one but it is the one that came up when I entered my car on RockAuto.

 

[Austin Vert]

Which mounts did you get? I bought the 2258's for my 73 Vert but they were so hard to get on I will be taking them off. I had to loosen all the motor mount and pad mount bolts to get the long bolts through. I must have bought the wrong one but it is the one that came up when I entered my car on RockAuto.

Hi Aces,

OK, you say you bought the 2258's for your 1973 Vert. That part number would be incorrect. The correct part number for the '73 Convertible mounts will be the Westar EM - 2286 mounts. My story so far is that i ordered a set of 2286's at the beginning of this year. They are still boxed up, unopened or installed, as my original factory mounts and pedestals are still in good working condition. I bought the new ones for a rainy day, when i might have to replace the originals at short notice. Sorry, that being the case, i can give you or the Forum members any decent feedback as to how these new mounts will install or perform.

Hope that helps you,

Greg.

 

[AcesArneson]

Hi Aces,

OK, you say you bought the 2258's for your 1973 Vert. That part number would be incorrect. The correct part number for the '73 Convertible mounts will be the Westar EM - 2286 mounts. My story so far is that i ordered a set of 2286's at the beginning of this year. They are still boxed up, unopened or installed, as my original factory mounts and pedestals are still in good working condition. I bought the new ones for a rainy day, when i might have to replace the originals at short notice. Sorry, that being the case, i can give you or the Forum members any decent feedback as to how these new mounts will install or perform.

Hope that helps you,

Greg.

Sorry, it was 2286 that I bought. I was half asleep when I sent that message. They are not a good fit. I bought a set of 71/2 mounting pads and I am about to install those. If they dont fit I will just put my originals back in and buy a set of 71/2 mounts to go with those pads. My only concern is the original purpose behind Ford's reason for switching to the 73 Vert mounts. Apparently the angle of the driveshaft was creating vibration when they tested the car so the new design was implemented. I have a 4R70W which is just a tad longer than the FMX I took out, so hopefully switching to the other pads will help.
My original pads are in decent condition and I only purchased new ones anticipating that the old ones would give away at some point. I wont be completely disappointed if I have to put them back in.
I know there is a set available with Poly but I have heard bad reviews using Poly on engine mounts. The engine needs rubber to flex and Poly just doesn't provide enough movement.

 

[Austin Vert]

Sorry, it was 2286 that I bought. I was half asleep when I sent that message.

Hi again aces,

Thanks for that update. So you bought the 2286 mounts after all, and have install problems or issues with them. That does not sound good at all.

Sorry, but i am at a loss here as to what might be the problem here. First up, my original factory engine is a 302 Windsor, and i believe yours is a 351 Cleveland. According to the tech rep from Westar i spoke to, the different engines should not present itself as putting out any fitting issues.

That said, i assume your pedestals are the original factory ones. If they are, then that should present no mounting issues as well. These new mounts are designed to correct fit the original factory pedestals. That's as much as i know at this stage sorry.

As i just said above, i have not tried to install the new mounts in my Vert as yet so i can't be of any help to you there sorry. My advice would be to contact Westar and see if they can be of any help to you.

Greg.

 

[AcesArneson]

Hi again aces,

Thanks for that update. So you bought the 2286 mounts after all, and have install problems or issues with them. That does not sound good at all.

Sorry, but i am at a loss here as to what might be the problem here. First up, my original factory engine is a 302 Windsor, and i believe yours is a 351 Cleveland. According to the tech rep from Westar i spoke to, the different engines should not present itself as putting out any fitting issues.

That said, i assume your pedestals are the original factory ones. If they are, then that should present no mounting issues as well. These new mounts are designed to correct fit the original factory pedestals. That's as much as i know at this stage sorry.

As i just said above, i have not tried to install the new mounts in my Vert as yet so i can't be of any help to you there sorry. My advice would be to contact Westar and see if they can be of any help to you.

Greg.

I am going to try the 2286's with the pads from a 71/2 and see if that works. I'll let you know if they fit.

 

[Austin Vert]

I am going to try the 2286's with the pads from a 71/2 and see if that works. I'll let you know if they fit.

Ok. Can you confirm that your existing pedestals/pads are factory '73 originals, and also experimenting with '71/2 pedestals is way out of my knowledge field, and so best of luck with what ever ends up happening there. Maybe another Forum member has gone down that very road and can be of help here.

Greg

 

[AcesArneson]

Ok. Can you confirm that your existing pedestals/pads are factory '73 originals, and also experimenting with '71/2 pedestals is way out of my knowledge field, and so best of luck with what ever ends up happening there. Maybe another Forum member has gone down that very road and can be of help here.

Greg

Yes mine are original pads

 

[Austin Vert]

Yes mine are original pads

Thank you Sir,

That being the case, it does not solve the problems that you have had here. Not good i think. Again, my advice would be to talk to the techs from Westar to see if you can solve the fit up problems you are having, before doing anything else. Your call there. I assume your block is a factory original too?

Best of luck, and let us know how you got on with this situation.

Many thanks,

Greg