Brian B

It looks like my motor mounts are toast. Since I have the old style mounts with the little shocks, is there a benefit in switching to the newer style rather than just replacing the original stuff?

I've searched the threads and I would need to replace the crossmember and heat shields to convert to the new style. Do the new mounts make the car smoother than the old style? Cost wise, it seems about even between replacing the original style and buying a new crossmember and shields.

Thanks for any input!

85fortheDrive

Brian:
I cannot tell you how noticeable the difference has been after I installed new motor mounts. The ride is so much smoother and feels more assured. Was it worth it - no question about it.

FWIW I chose to replace the oil pan gasket as well in the process - it's a common WYIA project. That turned out to be a bigger pain in the butt, but was also well worth it.

PM me if you want a lead on where to get the motor mounts.

Good luck.

Garth S

My '80 remains as smooth as silk on the OEM solid mounts .... but the mini shocks are fresh: I have had and driven S4's with old collapsed hyd. mounts and found a marked improvement when replaced with the Corteco (ford) mounts; however, it is difficult to claim that this marks an improvement over the 16v/solid mount/mini shock set up.
To convert to the S4 hydraulic type, the newer Xmember has been recommended; however, continue the archive search .... IIRC, someone redrilled the 16v style member to accept the hydraulic mounts. It this is more fact than a figment of my imagination, it would be far more cost effective to drill and plonk in a $50 pair of Cortecos.

EDIT: Thanks for the info JP ( post below) ..... scratch the 'redrilling' thought.

JP Rodkey

BTDT. The crossmember must be updated to a hydraulic (later) crossmember - redrilling won't work because the mount landing on the member itself is different. I wrote up an article about the process and Randy V created a pdf - but the link no longer works. Here is the original thread:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/221919-how-to-upgrade-solid-ob-motor-mount-to-late-model-hydraulic-mounts.html

I should have the Word doc (with pics), but it's not on this computer. If interested PM me and I will try to find it. In the meantime, here is a pic to show the differences. The top crossmember is from a '79 solid mount, and the lower from an '84 with hydraulic mounts.

RicerSchnitzzle

What year did the motor mounts change? Did they change with the S4? Are the 85/86 blocks on the older style mounts?

drnick

whats the incentive in retrofitting the newer style mounts?

ROG100

83/84 was the change.

RicerSchnitzzle

Thanks Rog! So does that mean I have to change mounts for my 86 bottom end om hybrid Euro, or can I reuse the old style mounts? Looking at the block it appeared to do-able with the old mounts. I have no complaints about the older style mounts. Sorry for the highjack.

John Veninger

I actually converted it for you awhile back.

Here is the link:

http://members.rennlist.com/jveninger/MMconvert.pdf

John Veninger

Using the cheaper Ford mounts, but it runs close inprice once you buy a used cross member for around $100.00

Brian B

Thanks for all of the input guys. I was tryng to figure out if its better to switch to the new style or just replace the original style mounts/shocks. I'll probably keep things original since the difference in price is really nominal after you factor in the price of the new crossmember and heat shields.

Has anybody had luck having the shocks rebuilt? I saw in an earlier thread that they could be rebuilt, but there was info on how well they held up.

I'm going to wait until winter to do the mounts and pan gasket. If I can sweet talk the wife, maybe I'll throw in a Y pipe while I'm in there...

85fortheDrive

I just got greenlighted for this one as well - ordered it from Rog100 on Saturday. Gotta say I'm a lucky guy in this regard because we just endured some big coin on an emergency water pump repair.

They say great minds think alike. It appears ours do too

Stan.Shaw@Excell.Net

If you decide you want an upgraded cross member, I have one freshly removed from an 86. If I recall correctly the heat shields are in good shape. I could provide a used set of motor mounts in unknown condition too...

I tried PM and email, but saw at least one bounce.