Body Mounts on C3

[UtahZR1]

Father,

A friend of mine is restoring a 1970 LT1. He noticed that when he removed the body from the frame, that they had doughnuts, almost like a paper, as body mounts. I am curious, did the rubbers rot away on it, or is this the way the factory installed it? Or, did the factory forget to put the body mounts in and just left washers?

[fatherlarry]

Hi UtahZR1,

Excellent question. Basically, on the 1968-1972, the C3 body style used body mounts that looked like a hockey puck with a hole in the center. I believe they were made of asbestos with steel fibers in them. The reason for this is that it put the body directly on the frame to give more of a sports car effect and feel for the road. Actually, it gives a harder ride and more of a sports car feeling. Also, it gave less flex to the body which would give less stress cracks on the fiber glass. In 1973 they came out with the rubber body mounts and the side door steel beam center construction which actually added more weight to the car and the body mounts absorbed most of the shock from the road giving you a quieter and more comfortable ride. Not only did the government start coming down with emissions regulations, bringing down hp and performance, but the public started demanding a more comfort features opposed to the older C1's & C2's, such as A/C, more plush interior, higher quality stereo systems and so on. Personally, I like the doughnuts better than the rubber body mounts. It makes it feel very sporty and like you're part of the road. I believe if he wants to replace them, there are some aftermarket companies that have them in stock. Hope this helps.:nod: :smoke:

[cruzn75]

Where can I get my body mounts replaced ? I have a 1975 coupe and went to a local body shop droped my car off for a week while on vacation. They were to replace mounts which I picked up as a kit. Guess what they didn't do it. Something about having to raise the body and it could possible crack. They didn't want to take the chance. Can I do this job myself ? I do almost all my own repairs. Except for the technical ones. Thanks for the help.

ACE

[fatherlarry]

cruzn75,

Replacing the body mounts can cause cracks and stress marks if not done properly, especially on the convertibles. There is a method that is used when replacing body mounts, which an experienced Corvette body shop would be able to handle. I don't recommend doing it yourself. For example, replacing the rear body mounts without loosening all the other body mounts, and not taking the correct precautions on setting the doors on the top that meet the quarter panel that gives you your space, you could wind up having the quarter panel going into the tops of your doors and chipping the paint, and throwing the alignment out. So, basically, if you are not an expert in this area, then leave it to an auto body technician that has experience on the C3's. Apparently, this body shop hasn't done many body mount changes on Corvettes. Usually, on the C3's the body mount bolts freeze and rust and sometimes have to be heated or drilled out, and new replacement bolts need to be put in. Sometimes, the hangers are rotted also. It's not a small job. Also, in '73, they changed over to the rubber body mounts, opposed to the old doughnuts they had from '68-'72. These mounts were supposed to absorb more shock and make for a better ride. I personally like the doughnuts that gave you more of a sports car feeling and feel for the road, plus they were easier to install. Good luck, and let us know how you make out.

[cruzn75]

Thanks for the reply. I need to find a shop that will do my body mount repair. I'll just have to keep looking around for a shop.
Thanks again.

ACE