so i just grinded off the old ones and now im havein a hard time getting the two top bolts in ( THERES NO FREAKIN ROOM)
im sure theres an easyier way???

thanks Sean

 

The ones into the frame? They require one of three things. One option is welding, one is to remove the springs and control arms, one is to cut access holes or slots. I don't have any links or pics handy, but this has been covered before, so try some more searching.

 

I tried this when I installed my headers and gave up quickly since my car was on ramps. I realised that the A-Arms would need to come out to get to those bolts which is a major PITA to say the least. I've had a broken mount for years and I'm so tired of it. I was going to take it down to a shop one day with my new mounts and pay them to do it! There is no easy way!

 

Pain in the tutu? Oh yes.

But it's possible to do without removing the A-arms, I've done it.

Requires extensions, swivels, 15mm socket, regular 15mm combo wrench, and another 15mm combo that you're not afraid to "modify" (read: heat with a torch, stick in a vice, and bend at an angle with vice-grips. Not your prized craftsman, get a cheapie!)

Having done that, I almost wish I'd just cut access holes

 

its possible to do it on the ground, you just gotta macgyver some tools together, ive never had a problem, i just do one at a time unbolt one, jack up the motor so its tilted, put the new one in, line up the bolts and get someone you reeaaaallly trust not to smash your hand in there and as its dropping just shove the bolts thru, and then the "special" tool you made is helpful i did it with 2 box end wrenches on my freinds 89 GTA

 

It's easy when the engine is out. There are access holes in the crossmember. The hardest part is getting the nut and washer on the bolts. A drop of superglue will keep the washer on the nut. The only special tool I used beyond wrenches, sockets, extensions, was a swivel joint.

 

I did mine with the front suspension together. It sucked badly and I think I spent alot of the time retreiving the nuts and washers that I repeatedly dropped into the crossmember. Still, it was so worth it. Like Drew says, the key is putting together the right combination of extensions and swivels. I ended up using thick sticky grease to hold the nuts and washers together while installing them. Really wished I had done the mounts while I had the suspension apart. So much easier then. Ive done a few others but only as part of an engine swap that included changing springs and removing LCAs.

 

I did mine in my old car by jacking it up off the mounts with the engine hoist then just loosen the bolts and replace the mount's it was a major PITA just take your time and you'll be fine.

 

got r done !
It was'nt easy but, i did it without removing squat! case of beer later, there now sits a new forged 355 with dart heads 510/530 cam with 12:1comp. i put my old holley street dom. on it with alum. wpump thanks for all the input.

 

What was your method?

 

I do it by not taking the top bolts out at all. Just take out the single lower bolt, drill out the lower rivet, pry up the clamshell, remove the old insert, put a new insert in, squeeze the clamshell back together, replace the lower bolt.

 

You know the telescoping magnetic tools? I used one of those and put the bolts in from the bottom. Factory installation was the bolts in from the top, with nuts and washers in the frame/control arms. Still wasn't easy, but once you poked the bolt through the hole, you could grab onto it and put the nuts and washers on the top side. Even though it was faster, my son still laughed at some of the new word-combinations I came up with!

 

I have solid mounts in mine.
I want to remove and install stock type mounts,but If I cant figure out a way before the motor goes back in tomorrow,I will have to keep the solids in.