1987 4.3 motor mounts

[Brian Boru]

Read all posts on motor mount problems. Is it feasible to replace them with engine in compartment or is it absolutely impossible to do without pulling the motor.My buddy insists we can do it without pulling the motor or are we getting into something that will prove to be a huge headache. Any and all advice would be really appreciated.

Thanks,Brian Boru

[Brian Boru]

I dont know if I blew my initial post but will try a short follow up question. Is it a better choice to pull the motor(4.3L) to replace the engine mounts or can I(with a buddy)do it without pulling it.Iread some threads and it seemed like all were geared to doing it with the motor out. I am trying to avoid this at this time.Need the Elco as a work truck so faster (maybe) is better. Any practical tips would be great too.



Thanks

Brian Boru

[steelybill]

You will have to jack the engine up a bit to get the old ones out/new ones in. Before you jack it, remove the distributor cap, so that it doesn't contact the firewall and break it. The other thing is the exhaust. You will have to find a place to loosen the exhaust to prevent bending some pipes etc when jacking the engine up a bit. That would depend of course on how much you have to raise it to get the mounts in & out.

[Brian Boru]

SteelyBill, thanks for the heads up. Will attempt to change out the motor mounts without pulling the motor.Will let you know how it works out. Hope it will go smooth(will heed your advice on exhaust,etc.) Thanks again, Brian Boru

[matty man]

Good luck, are the rubber mounts on the frame side or the engine side? I cant remember, I know the V-8`s the rubber mount is on the frame side and I would pull the motor for those. I am a thinkin` the V-6 rubber mounts are on the engine side, if so and if was me I would pull the motor if it was my truck, because I would reseal the rear main seal, replace the freeze plugs, and the timing cover seal & dampner, but it is a lot of work to drop the exhaust, wiring, coolant ect,, and usually makes a mess,, but thats just me,, steelybill gave some great tips I would also loosen the tranny mount bolt as well, when you jack the motor thats going to put a lot of stress on that tranny mount and you can split it, so save some headache and loosen the bolt,, good luck, matty man

[Brian Boru]

Matty Man. I do need to replace a freeze plug on the passenger side and I agree it makes a lot of sense to pull motor. For now, I'm trying to do the "mostest with the leastest" and down the road do all three plugs and up grade the mounts. Work has finally kicked in a bit here in San Diego, so after the really bad spell we had in construction, this 65 year old has to get out there and pound some nails so I can pursue my real career as a perpetual teenager.Thank you and SteelyBill.

Brian Boru

[georgiamadman]

you can do it without pulling the motor but you will have to pull the front springs to be able to get to the nuts that hold the motor mounts in.

[Brian Boru]

Just got done with motor mount change out. Got the two leaking freeze plugs while in there. Heeded all advice and managed to complete the job(with a buddy)with a lot of effort,caution and time. Took about 6 hours with two guys. I agree with one and all it would be much better to pull the motor. But if anyone out there needs to do it without pulling the motor,it can be done. Thanks for all the help from fellow members(couldnt have done it without you)

Brian Boru