If you have a Duke with an automatic transmission, chances are you have the liquid-filled lower engine mount. I'm referring to the "pillow block" below the oil pan. Not only are these mounts overly soft, but they aren't very durable. The only place I could find that carries this mount is the Fiero Store. And they charge over $140 for it!

But there's an alternative. You can replace that dorky liquid-filled mount with a solid rubber mount, with very little modification. Here's how...

First of all, you need to select a solid rubber engine mount. I used the one that the Fiero Store lists for the Duke/manual combo, and '85-87 V6. They charge $32.95 for it (part# 52900). The number stamped on the bottom is 2472.

Once you have your new engine mount, follow the standard procedure for replacing the lower engine mount. There are only 2 additional things you need to do:

1) Jack the car high enough to get a drill under there
2) After you get the old mount out, you need to modify the mounting holes in the cradle

Below, you can see photos of the solid rubber mount and the liquid-filled mount side-by-side. The solid mount is on top. Notice the difference in the mounting stud locations. The top mounting studs are identical. But the liquid-filled mount has staggered studs on the bottom. The solid one has the bottom studs inline.

On the solid rubber mount, the front bottom stud (relative to the car) is 1/4" further forward. And the rear bottom stud is 1/2" further inboard (toward the center of the car). You'll need to modify the holes in the engine cradle accordingly. I used a Dremel with a grinding bit to slot the front hole, and a drill with a 3/8" bit to drill the rear hole. See photos below.

BEFORE

AFTER

You can see that I slotted the front hole 1/4" forward, and drilled a new rear hole 1/2" closer to the center of the car. The solid mount will now fit.

BOTTOM

TOP

Then you just finish putting everything else back together. That's it!

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 05-17-2005).]

That was worth my A+ rateing...

Wow that info would have been helpful last weekend. I have a 87 fiero with a automatic, and it had that very crappy motor mount and it was beyond shot, it was gone. Well after a day of calling around I found the only way I could get the exact same one was to go through the dealer and that was $180. I found if you took a 85 motor mount and modify the mounts on the engine and cradle and it will work. Good post though, this should help a lot of people.

The 88 5-speed Dukes also have the liquid filled mount. Never saw one torn up like that though. What condition is your dog-bone in?

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I'm not a huge fan of the fluid mount. They are ok when they are fresh but don't last all that well. The fact it is next to imposible to keep them from getting oil soaked on the cars with spinon filter doesn't help. Next mount of any kind that I do there is getting some sort of hat to keep the oil from running down the bracket from the filter onto it. No matter what I've tried to catch the oil when changing the filter has always ended up with some on the mount and frame bracket. The solid mount looks to have the same crap catching sump in the middle so I'd recomend something to keep oil out of it as well for long life. No motor mount last long soaking in oil. (Same effect as putting oil in your brake system but takes longer to kill it.)

2472 is the Anchor part number and you can get it thru most parts stores. Autozone.com shows it for $11.99. Fiero Store stuck you for around $20 plus shipping charge if any. Partsamerica (Advance Auto) wants $15.99. Still less than half what FS wants.

Source: Partsamerica.com

The Fiero Store price is typical gouging they do for anything they think they can get away with it on. The L4 mounts were recently discontinued by Anchor far as I can tell. They no doubt bought whatever stock they could and jerked up the price. The last liquid one I bought was about $40 just a year or two ago. (There may still be some foating around the various regional warehouses. Try independant parts stores.) The trans mounts are similarly price jacked to twice or more what the parts stores want.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurasic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top of every forum page...)

Gordo: The dogbone is OK. The rubber bushings are intact... no cracking or splitting. And the transmission mount (single mount) is in perfect condition.

My car is an '87 SE with the Duke/auto combo. This has to be the worst combo as far as engine/tranny mounts are concerned. It used a liquid-filled lower engine mount (weak), along with a single tranny mount (puts more stress on engine mounts) and a dogbone with really mushy bushings (lets the engine dance around). The end result is wrecked mounts, a cracked exhaust manifold, and a beat-up air cleaner box.

I replaced both the lower engine mount and transmission mount about 3 yrs ago. As you can see, the lower engine mount didn't last very long. The combination of the retarded engine/tranny mount setup and oil spillage must be what ruined it. I'm thinking of swapping to dual transmission mounts as well.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 05-17-2005).]

The dual trans mounts can't hurt, that's for sure. I've wanted to do that for some time now but haven't had the time or parts. Plus it makes working in the trans a hell of allot easier if you need to do the TCC electricals or add a shift kit.

I run a set of polyurethane bushings in the strut. You get some more vibration at idle but it is better than breaking intake and exhaust parts because of too much engine movement. Whoever came up with the mono mount should be kicked in the head.

Im pretty positive advanced should have the liquid mount in stock somewhere 20-40$. If im not mistaken it was used in a lot of other GM cars too.

they came with liquid mounts?
99% of them on the road must be blown out.

I checked with several auto parts stores (Advance, Pep Boys, CarQuest, Central) and none of them even had a listing for a '87 Duke/auto lower engine mount. When I bought the liquid-filled mount 3 yrs ago, the only place that had it was Discount (now Advance). They don't carry it anymore. Ironically, I bought it under the assumption that it was a solid mount. That's how it was listed in their computer.

[This message has been edited by Blacktree (edited 05-18-2005).]

I dealt with the evil liquid mount awhile ago. I started a thread a bit ago too: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/059890.html

Part numbers at the bottom. The liquid mounts are still available for 45 bucks at Kragen. Part number Anchor 2548. Anchor 2472 is the solid rubber mount (16 bucks at Kragen). Don't bother trying to search by application - as Kragen themselves don't even know what this is for, though they had it sitting on the shelf when I went in. Strange. Now of course, as you may have figured out, the liquid mounts suck. I've been very strongly considering doing exactly what you just did. + For you!

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Chris

Blue 1987 GT Getrag 5 speed, 1" lowering springs, 225 50R16 rims and tires, Fiero Store 9 3/4" HD clutch - Awaiting a motor rebuild so I can complete my 3.4 TDC swap. Almost done! Build Thread: https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/059801.html
Silver 1986 2m4 THM 125c automatic (Current commuter)
Black 1985 2m4 SE Isuzu 5 speed (no paperwork)