FE and T18/C6 mounts from Autofab, plus frame alignment.

[robroy]

Hi!

I've been investigating whether or not anybody makes upgraded motor mounts for FEs in our trucks.

Today I came across this site: http://www.autofab.com/

It looks like they make a mount called, "FT 390." Here's a picture of it:



I mailed john@autofab.com to see if these will work in our trucks.

Does anybody know of other sources for upgraded FE motor mounts?

Thanks!
-Robroy

[fordman]

Ft is usually a name used for trucks larger than F350 like the F550 and f600 and even larger trucks as well as some uhaul engines. i would check intothat first. how would those mount to the crossmember? would you have to use new holes? it looks like it to me. give a direct link to those if you can.

[stangconv]

They say they shoudl fit our truck

FT-390 390-428 FE motor 65-79 Ford 2WD truck $240

http://www.autofab.com/motor_mounts.htm

At the bottom of the page in the chart....

[robroy]

Hey Fordman and Stangconv,

Fordman, those are good points that I'll need to think about. I probably don't want to bother with drilling new holes.

Stangconv, thanks for pointing out that it says it'll work on our trucks! Strangely, the text in that chart at the bottom of the screen is invisible in my browser until I highlight it with the mouse; I didn't see it the first time around.

Thanks!
-Robroy

[Dragon]

This code right here prevents Mac users and Certain versions of IE to see the info. I had to look at the page source code to read it. Member HTML Writers Guild here.

Code: Select all

<script language="JavaScript"><!--
MSFPhover = 
  (((navigator.appName == "Netscape") && 
  (parseInt(navigator.appVersion) >= 3 )) || 
  ((navigator.appName == "Microsoft Internet Explorer") && 
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function MSFPpreload(img) 
{

It shows up fine in FireFox

[robroy]

I mailed John at Autofab.com and heard that these mounts DO work on our trucks!

And better still, they come with adapter plates that make them a bolt in; they bolt right on to our frames.

John recommends also replacing the transmission mount with theirs at the same time. I read from him that under torque, the transmission mount will flex around quite a bit, and that'll eventually mess up the motor mounts.

It's true that the transmission mount for the T18 is the same as the mount for the C6 right?

The total transmission and motor mount package is $400.

-Robroy

[fordman]

the way to tell which trans mount you need is to go to autozone . and look up the part numbers for the c6 and t18 mount and see if they are the same part number.

[Dragon]

I wondered how they fit because they don't fit by this picture and your picture.

Frame mounts.jpg

[fordman]

too expensive for me. he did say something about an adapter plate.

[DuckRyder]

I'd love to see some pictures if you get them.

There must be some sort of adapter though...

[robroy]

the way to tell which trans mount you need is to go to autozone . and look up the part numbers for the c6 and t18 mount and see if they are the same part number.

Hey that's a smart suggestion--thanks Fordman! Unfortunately, it both Rockauto.com and NAPA have different part numbers for C6 vs T18 mounts:

NAPA Automatic: Balkamp BK6201032
NAPA Manual: Balkamp BK6021237

Rockauto Automatic: Anchor 2329
Rockauto Manual: Anchor 2327

So John at Autofab.com already said he'd be happy to make a custom transmission mount if his existing C6 pattern wouldn't work for me.

too expensive for me. he did say something about an adapter plate.

Yeah it's a little expensive, but he has the benefit of being the only FE upgrade mount place around (that I'm aware of). And yeah, the adapter plates should make the whole thing bolt-in.

I'd love to see some pictures if you get them. There must be some sort of adapter though...

Well now I have to get them! They sound like a fair price to me and I'd love to not have to worry at all about my motor mounts. I've heard plenty of stories about the stock FE mounts coming apart. And yeah there's an adapter for our frames, according to John at Autofab.com.

The only thing for me to work out with John at Autofab.com now is the transmission mount. I might need to ship him my existing mount for him to custom make one.

I also read in a mail from John that because his mounts use urethane bushings, it's normal to feel more engine vibration coming through the frame and body than you'd normally feel with stock mounts. At first this seemed like a disadvantage but after carefully using my imagination, it sounds like fun!

And here's my latest question:

How hard is it to change the transmission mount (given that the T18's installed in the truck with the bell housing on it, but the engine's removed at the moment)? I've never done this before.

Thanks very much for all the great advice!
-Robroy

[robroy]

Here are some more data points on mounts:

Dennis Carpeter: Same for M/T as A/T (C5TZ-6068-A).
NPD: Same for M/T as A/T (F-6068-3).
Advance Auto: Same as Rockauto (different for M/T and A/T).
LMC: M/T is part 45-0340, while A/T is part 45-0342.

So some say they're the same and some say they're different! Anybody have any experience with this?

Also, is a "rear engine mount" the same as the transmission mount? And do these three mounts completely support the engine/transmission, or are there others?

Thanks very much!
-Robroy

[fordman]

i dont know abotu rear engine mounts. those could be for a slick with a y block. they have rear engine mounts on the bellhousings.fe's have three mounting spots twoo on the front sides and one on the transmission.

[Dragon]

Well now I have to get them! They sound like a fair price to me and I'd love to not have to worry at all about my motor mounts. I've heard plenty of stories about the stock FE mounts coming apart. And yeah there's an adapter for our frames, according to John at Autofab.com.

I have tore several apart. No big deal just it only seems to happen if they get oily or you have over 500 horsepower and pop the clutch a lot.

[robroy]

Hey Fordman and Dragon, thanks for your replies!

I heard back from John at Autofab.com again today--he responds to e-mails very quickly.

For the benefit of all those reading this thread, here are all the questions I've asked John so far and his responses (I got his permission to post these).

I'm especially pleased to hear that the adapter plates are made for our truck frames; they're not universal adapter plates that can move around a lot and be bolted down in a hundred different positions.

Hi!

While browsing your site I came across some nice looking engine mounts!

Do you make an engine mount that will work for my 1972 Ford F250 (2WD)?
I am installing a high performance 390 (FE block) engine and am concerned
that the stock mounts may not be durable enough to hold up.

Thanks very much!
-Robroy

Yes we certainly do. Part number is FT390. Please use our transmission mount
with the motor mounts. The package is $400 for the bolt in motor and
transmission mounts. They will include frame brackets so you dont have to
worry about adapting to your existing structures. If you do pay pal send me
your address and I can invoice you online for convenience. If you have any
questions just let me know. John

Hi John that's great news, thank you for your fast reply!

Is there a technical reason why your transmission mounts should be used in
conjunction with your motor mounts, or is this just a suggestion?

I'm happy to hear that you have plates to adapt your mounts to my frame!
So does this mean your mounts are 100% bolt-in?

Also, will your transmission mount work for my T18-1E (early style)
transmission?

Thank you very much John!

the stock trans mount is weak and will allow the tail housing to move around
under torque. this will eventually cause the motor mounts to break. I
believe the trans mounts are the same for auto and manuel trans. If not we
will make one that will work if we have to. It is that important to do the
job right. Our mounts are bolt in. John

Hi John, thanks again for the quick reply!

I understand what you're saying about the transmission mount and think
that's a great idea. I've asked about whether the mount is the same for
the T18 as the C6 on Fordification.com (like you, I think it is).

The whole reason I'm looking around for an upgrade is that I've heard bad
stories about the stock mounts being pretty weak on these trucks, and I'm
installing a 436 horsepower 390 that makes 463 ft/lbs of torque at
4,000RPM. I'm not an off roader, but I don't want to rip the stock mounts
apart just by playing with the throttle a little bit!

Two more questions: will installing your mounts make the frame less
insulated from engine vibration than the stock mounts? What other
differences might I notice between your mounts and the stock setup?

Thanks again John,
-Robroy

They are cushioned and insulated with a ureathane bushing
but tougher than rubber so you will get some motor feel thru the chassis. As
long as your motor is balanced it is negligible.

Good morning John, thanks for replying!

Your mounts sound fantastic and I want to buy, but I'm still trying to
sort out the question as to whether or not the transmission mount is the
same for the C6 and as for the T18. Meanwhile, could you answer a few
more questions?

1. Is your existing transmission mount made for the C6?

I believe it is but please send me a picture to verify ok?

2. Are the adapter plates that adapt the mounts to the truck
made exactly for this frame, or are they universal
(with elongated holes for bolts that allow the mount
location to be adjusted)?

They are made to the frame with an exact location.

3. If the T18 mount turns out to be different, would you
want me to ship you mine so you can fashion something
for it?

Yes please.

4. Would there be an extra cost, beyond the $400, to
make a custom mount for my T18 (if it's different)?

No , i will absorb the extra cost to accomplish the additional part number for our inventory.

5. If I ordered the mounts, approximately how long would
I wait to receive them?

Usually within a week.