Engine mount bushings

[Harbi]

Hi folks,

I replaced my engine mount bushings in 03 during my restoration. I noticed they cracked and looked a hundred years old! I replaced them again last summer and they look the same now. I got one set from Aircraft Spruce and the other from Wag Areo. It doesn't appear the engine is sagging but it looks bad. Am I getting old stock or is there something else I sould be looking for? Is there a better source for the rubber bushings?

Thanks
Wade Happy 4th of July to all!!!!!

[cpirrmann]

Re: Engine mount bushings

I replaced mine last year, and they look cracked and nasty too. I suppose it's the compression the causes them to crack.

[Guest]

Re: Engine mount bushings

Mine have been on since '98 and look fine.

However I previously did have hav ethe expeince when the new ones did look bad and get cracked very quickly and then I would replace them.

I am fairly sure it was one or both of these things 1) I used an incompatible solvent to clean the engine and it effected the bushings 2) bushings were old stock.

I changed the solvent not the source and problem is gone.

I used to buy stuff from Lou Liebee and he had surplus so that's why I say they could be old stock, just a guess though.

Now I am sitting here trying to recall the solvents and I can't, but I might later.


OK! Didn't take that long- I think it was chlorinated hydro carbons (if memory is good) that caused me grief and I no only use petroleum based on it.

Dave

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Engine mount bushings

The ones they sell now are too soft and junk. Unfortunately I don't know of another source unless Fresno has some NOS stock.

Mike

[Richard Boyer]

Re: Engine mount bushings

Mine were "new" as well when I replaced them a few months ago. Once I got the new ones on I inspected the old ones and couldn't figure out why I replaced them. Off the plane (uncompressed) they looked like new! But on the plane (compressed) the only part you can see had cracks and looked terrible.

Kind of odd.

[NY86]

Re: Engine mount bushings

I recently switched vendors from Superior to Continental for this very reason...

[Len Petterson]

Re: Engine mount bushings

In this posting it was mentioned about incompatible solvents, a very importent factor then you clean things made of "rubber".
"Rubber is not just rubber", for example there is rubberlike materials what will withstand acids but not gasoline, or the other way around. In my days of working with hydrualics I used O-rings and gasketts made from many kinds of rubber materials inds, if I needed to clean them from I used dishsoap and water. It never hurt anything.
A hint, never switch fluid use on a rubber lined hose, as it is has been affected by the first fluid, and it WILL be severly affected by the second fluid.
For example: If a hose was used on gasoline don't use it motor oils after.
If it is a old hose used hose ,dryed up from it's previuse use,IT IS GARBARGE!
If the fitting are of the resuable kind and in good condition, save them.
I hade a fluel hose close up on me last year, engine ran but would not take the trottle.
A fuel hose closed up at the fittings, possibly the reuseable fitting was not installed with probber lubrication and mandrels.
Recomended lifetime of a rubber fuel hose and bungees are 5 years.
Len
"Rubber and vedgabels has to fresh"(;f

[Guest]

Re: Engine mount bushings

In this posting it was mentioned about incompatible solvents, a very importent factor then you clean things made of "rubber".
"Rubber is not just rubber", for example there is rubberlike materials what will withstand acids but not gasoline, or the other way around. In my days of working with hydrualics I used O-rings and gasketts made from many kinds of rubber materials inds, if I needed to clean them from I used dishsoap and water. It never hurt anything.
A hint, never switch fluid use on a rubber lined hose, as it is has been affected by the first fluid, and it WILL be severly affected by the second fluid.
For example: If a hose was used on gasoline don't use it motor oils after.
If it is a old hose used hose ,dryed up from it's previuse use,IT IS GARBARGE!
If the fitting are of the resuable kind and in good condition, save them.
I hade a fluel hose close up on me last year, engine ran but would not take the trottle.
A fuel hose closed up at the fittings, possibly the reuseable fitting was not installed with probber lubrication and mandrels.
Recomended lifetime of a rubber fuel hose and bungees are 5 years.
Len
"Rubber and vedgabels has to fresh"(;f

Thanks Len, Dave

[VictorBravo]

Re: Engine mount bushings

Does anyone know about the new style Urethane bushing material that is used in car suspensions? The RUMOR is that this material has far better properties than the old rubber ones.

Don't bother reminding me that it's not certified... I know

My question is whether anyone knows if the urethane material would make a better engine mount bushing than the rubber, and of so, why? If they are that much better, or last longer, or isolate vibration better, it might be worthwhile to have some made and test it for possible field approval.