Engine Mounts

[RichardBoyer]

In 2004 I replaced the engine mounts on my C-85. In 2006 I noticed that the edge you can see appeared to be dry rotted. So I replaced them again. Only the exposed part looked bad, the rest looked good.

Once again I am seeing the same problem and my IA want me to replace them again. Compared to other aircraft, these things are cheap, so buying new ones isn't that big a deal.

Buy why are they doing this after only 2 to 3 years???
(I got them from AC Spruce both times.....)

[Marv]

Re: Engine Mounts

Richard i don't know about those rubbers, but i bought a set of replacement body mount rubbers for a 39 Ford and after about a year they were in worse shape than the 70 year old originals i took off. When i checked things out i found the replacement rubbers were made in Brazil.
I found that most rubber that is made in other countries is inferior to American made. Marv

[NY86]

Re: Engine Mounts

It is what it is...

They're available from Continental and Superior (for now...). Not sure if one is any better than the other. When my IA points to them I tell him they're only 1 year old and the last set did the same thing. Been saying the same thing for about 8 years now...

[t-crafter]

Re: Engine Mounts

Could be what you are using to wash your engine down during or after your annual. Some of those cleaners are tough on rubber parts. Try wiping them down with a good rubber preservative after cleaning your engine.

[Hank Jarrett]

Re: Engine Mounts

DON'T wipe it with one of the popular tire shine solutions that contain Formaldehyde. It leaches out the plasticizes in the rubber and turns it to dried up mush. On the antique cars I have messed with we used a pure silicone spray to preserve rubber parts but don't get it on anything you EVER might want to paint!
Hank

[Larry Lyons]

Re: Engine Mounts

we used a pure silicone spray to preserve rubber parts but don't get it on anything you EVER might want to paint!
Hank

Boy; ask me about that! Last year I took my A-7 mag switch apart, cleaned and rebuilt it. Upon reassembly I used silicon grease inside, it seeped around where the rotating lever and the case front meet and would not let the new paint stick at the edge. After wiping the paint off, cleaning, and repainting at least 4 times I gave up. It sat for almost a year, and developed a light patina of rust; I cleaned it all up last week end and repainted it. Looks great now but what a struggle to get here. Larry

[Ragwing nut]

Re: Engine Mounts

DO NOT USE THE SUPERIOR RUBBERS. They are too soft and will fail pre-maturely. Either buy new Continental, or check with Fresno on older original stock. I get so tired of changing them out I get mad just thinking about having to do it. Same goes with their worthless nose seals.

[flyguy]

Re: Engine Mounts

I have had the engine off several times recently (YUK), and my shock mounts are still flexible and looking good. I am prettty sure that I got them from Aircraft Spruce. They are at least 4 years old.
Darryl