Help! I'm melting engine mounts every 2000 miles!

Here's the situation. 71 Satellite Sebring, 340 with Hedman shorty headers. I've had headers like these on the car for over 8 years. Since I've installed a new pair of the headers the engine mounts have been melting. The mounts lose their form, compress, and my engine drops a 1/2 inch. I've gone through 3 sets in the past year.

I'm using the Schumacher Creative interlocking mounts and they've been great about warranty replacements. I'm not sure if those mounts use a softer compound or what.

I don't think a heat shield is practical, given the space I have to work with.

I'm thinking of the following options:
- Trying stock rubber mounts and seeing if they last
- Going with solid mounts and dealing with the vibration

Has anyone had a similar problem? Has anyone run solid mounts on a street car? I don't want my teeth to fall out driving this thing.

Any advice?

Thanks.

I think I would look into carb adjustment and timing to be sure you aren't causing the headers to get too hot. Did you change anything other than the headers?

First place to start, figure out if the heat issue is normal.

Check your grounds, with a voltmeter under a load. It sounds like you are seeking ground through the mounts.

This ^^^^^ and I hate to say it, but maybe different style headers? I know you said you ran this style for years prior?

Another idea is to get thermal coating inside, my TTI headers do and run very cool in the motor compartment.

I'd try stock mounts at this point and I'm betting they will hold up better? But maybe not since I read that the rubber don't last on the new ones?

Good luck.

Thank you for the good suggestions so far. I'll check into the carb and the grounding.

Although has anyone run solid mounts? Are they a nightmare?

Jim

If those are the Poly-Loc mounts, that's just what they do. The urethane can't take the heat.

I have a C-body with shorties and have the same problem.

Kevin

I run solid mounts on my 70 Roadrunner as it seemed the over the counter rubber ones did not last and I was tired of changing them. Little more vibration but I don't really notice it.


I have been finding that the rubber used in alot of the parts any more is junk, I've had tie rod boots rot and split with in a few months of being replaced. I maintain a fleet of trucks and have found this to be an issue with the new stuff too not just our older muscle cars.

Dan

Have solid mounts on my roadrunner, no objection if the engine runs good and is balanced. Been on there 20 years.

If it's "normal" heat, then a simple sheet metal heat shield can really get a lot of heat off of it.

Those headers are nice but are tight against everything around them I've often wondered how some components survive...You've only got so many choices using them...Heat shield, header wrap/coating,solid or rubber mounts, and the carb tune as some have suggested...
Take your pic or combine them any way you like...

I've been running solid mounts for years. Little more vibration, but worth it.

I have read good reviews on these mounts from Mancini's. Something to check out.

http://www.manciniracing.com/maheduenmo.html

I think I'm going to have to go with the Chinese menu approach - all of the above.

I talked to a rep at Mancini about that mount and they didn't think it would hold up to the heat. They suggested a wrap.

Since this is a daily driver car and the engine is a little shaky I think it's best I stay away from a solid mount. I'm going to have to go with a wrap and heat shield if possible.

My last resort is to uninstall the headers and go with manifolds.

Manifolds are even hotter. A friend changed from Manifolds to TTI headers on a BB and it is 1/3 as hot as before, he did measure the temp for accuracy.

I use a heat blanket/sandwich thing on the Torana and have some spare and cut off a chunk for a buddy to use on his mustang, worked good in both cases. It is metal with insulation material in the middle of it. I bought a few different brands to try/use around a fuel line that is close to a header tube. I can check the brand later (think I still have the package with the left over pieces in the garage) if you liked..

I would replace then steel strap engine in place never had engine mount issue on my 340 in 45 years

Yes, please! I am running out of options on this and any idea is welcome. Any brand info or pics would be appreciated.

Thank you!

FYI - I spoke with Michael at Schumacher Creative and he has a new product that he thinks will resolve the problem. It's a spool type mount to replace the standard biscuit type.

I'm going to give them a try and I will let the board know how it goes.

Jim