how important are solid motor mounts in a non-racing rig?

[racer7x]

I will be running a 1998 Johnson 200 hp on a modified (transom, stringer, coring) 1980 Glastron Carlson CVX 16. I won't be racing it but I do plan on running 65 to 70 on a regular basis and hitting 80 occasionally. The mechanic building my motor (who has 35 years experience) is telling me I don't need solid mounts. I will be running Sea Star Pro steering but from what I understand won't make any difference if using the stock rubber mounts. Is my mechanic right and its not really that important in a non-racing rig?

[Fast Fred]

you don't Need them, but if it was me i'd have a set. over time i've seen the stock lower ones get ugly and make it hader to line up the shift shaft. no feed back from the pro star so you should be good with stockers.

[racer7x]

Thanks Fred, I appreciate the info.

[racer7x]

Can using solid mounts cause anything to break or crack in the engine? I'm not too worried about the boat because I have installed a new transom with 3 knees.

[Fast Fred]

can't say i've ever seen any thing break cuzz of the mounts, i fly mine off 15 foot rollers, she has solids.

[racer7x]

Damn! Sounds like fun! I guess I don't have anything to worry about then. Its just going to be a lake boat and the CVX 16 isn't made for too much of a rough water situation.

[89HST]

A cvx 16 with a 200 is already a recipie for a chine walking mess. If the motor is apart do the mounts.

[LittleCharger]

A cvx 16 with a 200 is already a recipie for a chine walking mess. If the motor is apart do the mounts.

Gotta agree!! That's alot of motor for that boat, given it's narrow pad you will want all the help you can get to fly it on the pad so the mounts would be a must in my eyes.

[racer7x]

Believe me, I know and have definitely decided to run the solid mounts and I already have the Sea Star Pro steering. I think maybe my engine builder forgot what boat I'm putting the 200 on.

[phillnjack]

are solid mounts available over the counter, or is this something you have to have specially made ?


phill

[Skoontz]

Before I put solids on my 140 crossflow, I would have to do the psycho-billy reverse counter steer to keep my Vee hul from doing the chine flop. I installed solids, which at the time OMC's solids were nothing more than untra hard rubber. Took her out and could take both hands off the wheel, reach down between my legs and with my mouth pick up my bottloe of Old Style beer, shot gun it, then set the bottle back before I had to have my hands on the wheel..... Made a huge difference in my opinion but the entire boat vibrated like a orbital sander at idle....Good thing my boat only had two speeds, on and off.

[racer7x]

You can get them for Mercury but for OMC they have to be specially made, as far as I know. I found a guy on Scream and Fly that makes them but they ain't cheap especially compared to the Mercury mounts. I have been trying to find some cheaper ones but no luck yet. He does do good work thouvgh.

[Mark75H]

I agree with Fred. Good advice given

[phillnjack]

I take it the mounts are solid steel and not alloy ?
im just wondering whats the best material to have them made in.


phill

[racer7x]

The ones I saw were made out of billet aluminum, I think. I will be buying a set.

[phillnjack]

so with these mounts there is no shock absorbtion at all !!!!!!!!!
its all down to the main steering tube to take all the knocks,bumps and all the shock of power plus
the tremendous shock if the gearcase leaves the water !!!!!!!!!
sounds like a recipe for something somewhere to break or wear very fast.
I would imagine fine for flat lake use and drag racing on flat water, but on the sea im not too sure.

What about poly bushes ?
wouldnt this be the best way to go ?
Poly bushes can be much stiffer and last a lifetime compared to normal rubber and can take a lot more
abuse from solvents when cleaning engine off etc.

just a thought, as ive used them in a 4x4 and made a massive difference to the driveline.



phill

[byrdsperformance@tds.net]

Nylon or teflon matiral work well.

[phillnjack]

When people are making solid mounts, why do they go to the trouble of making up a complete new block when
just filling the old original ones with metal would do the same job and be a definite fit straight away ?


just curious


phill......

[racer7x]

I have been trying to find poly mounts myself but have had no luck whatsoever. One guy on this sight said he runs solid (aluminum I'm assuming) in intense offshore situations and has never had anything break, but it still worries me some.

[phillnjack]

well the top mounts could easily made from bushes found on 4x4 range rovers for example.
just need to take out the complete rubber from originals and just replace with poly with a shoulder on them.
will have a look round myself to see whats available with the poly stuff, i cant se it being too hard to just
fit to original metal mounts.

im not keen on the idea of having to start in gear and not having any give engine block /transom/steering.
probably ok for drag or oval racing, but not for offshore stuff, just my views on solids.
seems like some folk have been using them a long time though !!!!!!!!!!!


phill

[racer7x]

Are you saying you have to start the motor in gear if you run solid motor mounts?

[89HST]

:rolleyes:

The reason for starting in gear is it is very tough on gearcase components when shifting a big pitch propeller, or when you have a modified motor that does'nt exactly idle tame.

[Fast Fred]

no big deal runnin solid mounts, factory's been sendin out for decades , once they're in, forget them. it is custom to only make a shift when not runnin, it is hard on the foot, a real go fast Moda have the timin adv' locked in place, so she is high strung .

[racer7x]

So its ok to shift when the motor is at idle if hasn't been modified or hopped up even with solid mounts or is it still not a good idea?

[Fast Fred]

yes, just shift it.

[racer7x]

Thanks Fred. Do you happen to know where to get solid mounts for an OMC? The guy I was planning on getting them from wants quite a bit for them, but they might be worth it cuz they look like they are precision machined.

[Fast Fred]

i'd try Sea Way, go fast boat stuff is not cheap in general , but if it fits, nice and clean, bolts right up, maybe even some fresh hardware, made out of the best stuff goin, i'd pay it. sounds like the dudes who know that hull, you need them.:cool:

[racer7x]

Ya I think your right, thanks