1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

[Kevin S.]

I just recently pulled my 1969 L-46 350 / 350 engine to continue my restoration work on the engine bay only to find, to my surprise, that the engine mounts on my car are MADE IN KOREA. Lots of surprises on this restoration journey. I'm not sure what to do that would keep me on the best NCRS restoration path? I just cannot leave a KOREA part on this car so that it not an option.

I posted a WTB Ad for 1969 engine mounts and have a lead on a pair of Tracy Corvette engine mounts with PN 3809731 on them. These are the locking-style engine mounts, they were made to replace PN 3967767 which is the GM PN that I show to be correct in my 1969 AIM Front Engine Mounts P. J201. However, I'm concerned that the locking style will cause me to have to remove my OEM aluminum spark plug heat shields. I want to keep the plug heat shields on the car.

My options:
1. Keep looking for PN 3967767 non-locking engine mount.
2. Purchase the Tracy Corvette reproduction locking-style engine mounts with PN 3809731 on them. At least these were not made in Korea. I might have to deal with the fit of my spark plug heat shields.
3. I looked at reproduction non-locking engine mounts from Corvette Central PN 302004 and they look good except for ANCHOR-KOREA embossed on the black rubber cushion. I struggle with putting Korea parts on this NCRS restoration - can't do it.

Not sure what to do. I did check with David Sokolowski and he did not have any engine mounts with PN 3967767. I've also checked with Ecklers, Bair's Corvette, Van Steel - nothing that keeps me 100% NCRS correct in my mind or as close to 100% correct as I can get. My six (6) engine mount bolts have Anchor headmarks so that was nice to see and matches the TIM&JG.

Thanks in advance for the help and assistance. I did a historical search here too. Lots of information but most of the content was locking versus non-locking engine mounts and whether the '69 safety recall applied to Corvette or was more applicable to Chevelle, BelAir, Impala, and other Chevy models. It wasn't quite what I was looking for. Although, it did make me think that I should definately stick with the locking-style engine mount just for safety piece of mind.

Kevin

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

Laugh all you want, but those Korean-made mounts are better than most of what you'll buy today.
Anchor made some great motor mounts, and the good ones aren't available under their name any longer.
I would not go with a 50 year old NOS motor mount sitting on a shelf and trust the rubber.Do I own some? Yes, but only for reference.

Corvette Central's latest motor mounts are superb.
However, they're not made in USA either.
Having said that I've used a few sets and find them much better than others available.

I will guarantee you that most of the parts you have purchased for your restoration were not Made in USA if from any of the catalog companies.
That's just the way it is in 2024.

[Kevin S.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

Hey Patrick,
Would you go with locking-style or non-locking style engine mounts if you had a choice. I want to make sure that my spark plug heat shields will fit.

Thank you for you quick response. There is some age on those Tracy Corvette engine mounts. You are right on sourcing parts these days too.

Kevin

[Kevin S.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

I wake up this morning and have read Patrick's post again. Did more research here on related engine mount topic and have come to a conclusion. I am going to go ahead and purchase the Corvette Central ANCHOR-KOREA non-locking engine mounts to keep the car somewhat original since this is at least the style of engine mount that would be closest to GM PN 3967767 that was on the 1969 when it was built 10-31-68.

Yep, it has Korea on it. I'll deal with that. Patrick is right about that too. The new engine mounts are not the only Korea or China parts on the car.

https://www.corvettecentral.com/c3-6...t-style-302004


Kevin

[Chris H.]

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

I’d take the point hit and go with locking. Just peace of mind. Runaway engine can do an amazing amount of damage.

Chris------


Yes, GM didn't change to the locking style mounts because the original style were just as good. And, they initiated a very expensive recall of many cars to install the locking mounts to demonstrate just how serious they were about it.

Installing the locking mounts on a Corvette not previously so equipped involves only a minor modification to the left side lower "boomerang" spark plug wire shield.

[Kevin S.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

Hi Chris,
You make a valid point. The MADE IN KOREA locking-style engine mount that was on the engine when I pulled it could have been done as a result of the recall. I have no idea how long ago those were installed (perhaps 1969-1970). At the very least it might worthwhile to get a newer set with less age on them...for peace of mind.

Appreciate your opinion. Thank you.

Kevin

[Kevin S.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

Hi Joe,
If I am reading your note correctly to Chris, are you saying the Corvette non-locking original style engine mounts are just as good as the locking-style engine mounts. Do I have that right?

Thought I had read that the 1969 GM recall was issed due to other models, not specifically Corvette, that had issues with broken engine mounts, like Chevelle.

[Owen L.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

What about the idea of putting a locking mount just on the passenger side and keeping the original style on the driver's side? I believe I'm correct in saying that the passenger side is the most prone to failure due to the rotational torque of the engine pulling up on it while the driver's side is compressed by the torque.

I'm looking to replace one of my '67's non-locking mounts that has slightly soft rubber in places (a pre-1979 Anchor replacement) the other mount is GM (factory? in great shape). A couple days ago I bought a DEA/Marmon 2249 that looks a lot cleaner in construction than the Anchor version. This mount was all of $15 with shipping included off eBay. I'll report back once I see the actual mount in person and will include pics of my GM mount in comparison. (Rock Auto carries this same mount for $10 plus shipping.)

s-l1600.jpg

[Chris H.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

Found this on the internet. Engine mounts nothing to mess around with.

https://www.autosafety.org/chevrolet-motor-mounts/

63841613-06E5-4BCE-AE18-FC32E19C9E04.jpg

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

Hi Joe,
If I am reading your note correctly to Chris, are you saying the Corvette non-locking original style engine mounts are just as good as the locking-style engine mounts. Do I have that right?

Thought I had read that the 1969 GM recall was issed due to other models, not specifically Corvette, that had issues with broken engine mounts, like Chevelle.

Kevin------


No, that's not the point I was making. What I was saying is that if the non-locking mounts were as good as the locking, GM would never have gone to the locking mounts. Personally, I would NEVER use a non-locking mount on any car I intended to drive. For a "trailer queen" type car, they'd be OK, though.

[Mark E.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

What about the idea of putting a locking mount just on the passenger side and keeping the original style on the driver's side? I believe I'm correct in saying that the passenger side is the most prone to failure due to the rotational torque of the engine pulling up on it while the driver's side is compressed by the torque.

I'm looking to replace one of my '67's non-locking mounts that has slightly soft rubber in places (a pre-1979 Anchor replacement) the other mount is GM (factory? in great shape). A couple days ago I bought a DEA/Marmon 2249 that looks a lot cleaner in construction than the Anchor version. This mount was all of $15 with shipping included off eBay. I'll report back once I see the actual mount in person and will include pics of my GM mount in comparison. (Rock Auto carries this same mount for $10 plus shipping.)

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It's the driver's side that lifts when the engine is under load. I experienced a broken motor mount on a '65 Impala back in the 70s- left side of engine lifts during acceleration which causes the throttle linkage to open. All GM did for the recall was install a strap between the control arm and exhaust manifold while keeping the broken mount in place. I suspect cars with a cable throttle are less susceptible but I would replace any non-locking mounts on any car of mine.

I

[Owen L.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

It's the driver's side that lifts when the engine is under load. I experienced a broken motor mount on a '65 Impala back in the 70s- left side of engine lifts during acceleration which causes the throttle linkage to open. All GM did for the recall was install a strap between the control arm and exhaust manifold while keeping the broken mount in place. I suspect cars with a cable throttle are less susceptible but I would replace any non-locking mounts on any car of mine.

I

Huh. For some reason I've got that backwards in my brain. Thanks for the correction.

[Patrick H.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

I'm looking to replace one of my '67's non-locking mounts that has slightly soft rubber in places (a pre-1979 Anchor replacement) the other mount is GM (factory? in great shape). A couple days ago I bought a DEA/Marmon 2249 that looks a lot cleaner in construction than the Anchor version. This mount was all of $15 with shipping included off eBay. I'll report back once I see the actual mount in person and will include pics of my GM mount in comparison. (Rock Auto carries this same mount for $10 plus shipping.)

Owen,

FYI, these generic aftermarket mounts usually fit poorly with regard to the spacing and thickness of the “big ears” that hold the through-bolt to the engine.

The Corvette Central ones are the first one I have found - at least of the locking style - that fit like older Anchors or original GM.

[Mark F.]

Re: 1969 Engine Mounts - need some help / advice

Interesting read on how poorly NHTSA apparently "moved" on this issue....

I wonder why Chevelles and Corvettes were not included in the engine mount recall ?

This prompted me to check for recalls on my '67...
This NHTSA link is for all recalls
https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIi9_7g5WEigM V8VxHAR3FQgUXEAAYASAAEgLYhfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.dshttps://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=03E032000