has anyone used a torque strap?

[Lancelot72]

The previous owner of my 72 coupe put new motor mounts on just a few months before I bought the car. However, when I pulled the engine out the drivers side mount was already broken. I was looking at different kinds of motor mounts and someone suggested using a torque strap. Has anyone here used one? Is so, info on what kind and where you attached it would be helpful. Also, pics would be appreciated.

Thanks for the help.

 

[KevinP]

You should not need a torque strap unless you have a a seriously modified engine. Regular mounts are fine.

 

[Hemikiller]

I'm running a self-made "mighty mount". A couple flat head cap screws, a drill bit, a counter sink and about an hour's time.

 

[Steve McMahan]

What? Hemikiller, no pics, I mean, come on. We look forward to your inventions .

 

[Hemikiller]

Fine....

 

[Steve McMahan]

Nice, that will not break.

 

[Don C]

You can also get aftermarket motor mounts that are a captive style, I believe that Prothane is one brand.

If you're not as innovative as Hemikiller here is another example of how to make your own:
http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/custom-motor-mounts.html

 

[71ProjectJunk]

In the old days we used to run a thick chain from an engine block bolt to somewhere in lower frame or crossmember to keep the motor mounts from breaking. It would be put in tight, so it would limit how much stress got put on the mounts, and you would not get vibrations like with solid mounts, but hemikillers solution is a lot better, LOL.

 

[Lancelot72]

Thanks guys this helps! I like the simplicity of Himikiller's solution.

 

[TheRktmn]

I busted a few mounts with the 351C I put in my '69 back in the 70s. Back then we used the old hefty chain method.
When I put in the 460 I went with a 8" turnbuckle from head to frame. I put a little preload on it and have had no motor mount problems in 20+ years.

 

[Billw69]

I too used a turnbuckle ..... short of solid motor mounts which transfered too much vibration.
Work fine, and just removed it when I stopped dragging the car

 

[tony-muscle]

You can also get aftermarket motor mounts that are a captive style, I believe that Prothane is one brand.

If you're not as innovative as Hemikiller here is another example of how to make your own:
http://www.how-to-build-hotrods.com/custom-motor-mounts.html

Correct. I have the Prothane and they are captive.

 

[c9zx]

I've been doing the same as Hemi since the early 1970s, it works and doesn't increase NVH that I can tell. Chuck

 

[MustangSally44]

My 67 Camero has a 1/4 inch cable around the frame and mount.This was a factory recall fix in 68

 

[jspears]

the frame mounts have holes in them. I shot some spray paint in the holes (from below) and then removed the motor mounts and drilled 3/8 inch holes in the spots marked by spray paint. then I put 3/8 inch socket head cap screws in the holes (with the nuts toward the motor) and bolted the motor mounts together. Finally I drilled the holes in the frame mounts out to accept the heads of the socket head cap screws and reinstalled the motor mounts.

 

[jspears]

Ok hemikiller countersunk his, I used the hole that was there. I didn't use anything to reduce vibrations though.

 

[will e]

Looking at hemikillers picture, there is just the one bolt and it is counter sunk on the side we cannot see?

 

[Hemikiller]

I did countersink the underside and tack welded the bolt to the bracket. The bushing is an off the shelf urethane sway bar end link bushing.

 

[will e]

I did countersink the underside and tack welded the bolt to the bracket. The bushing is an off the shelf urethane sway bar end link bushing.

Thanks for the details.

So what do you all think? My motor mounts are broken. Probably the tranny mount too. They are not the right mounts because I have a 1973 Convertible 351C and they are not available after market. I picked up a pair of used ones for the 1973 Convertible. They seem like they are in good shape but they are probably 50 years old. My engine is a little built, nothing crazy, but it's not stock for sure.

On one hand the idea of drilling into my unobtainium 1973 Convertible motor mounts is distressing. However, I also don't want to break them after installing in the car. So I am thinking of the HemiKiller modification. It's my car, I am not worried about originality.

What would you guys do?

 

[Hemikiller]

The 73 mounts are a captured style, so there's no need to pin them like I did.