1933 model b front engine mount dampers

[FrankWest]

My front engine dampers are hard and I am replacing them. I sent for the upper and lower cushions and the necessary washers, because I think some of the original washers are missing. I found a diagram in the Greenbook. The small bumper goes underneath through the cross member , is there a washer on the bottom and top of this or only on the bottom.

[DavidG]

If manufactured correctly, the bottom portion has washers vulcanized to it on both top and bottom and nothing additional should be required or used. There's a large separate washer that sits on top of the upper insulator that the motor mount bracket rests upon and then a thick smaller washer goes over the top of the motor mount bracket on which the castle (or slotted hex) nut will seat once the special bolt is inserted from the bottom.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by DavidG

If manufactured correctly, the bottom portion has washers vulcanized to it on both top and bottom and nothing additional should be required or used. There's a large separate washer that sits on top of the upper insulator that the motor mount bracket rests upon and then a thick smaller washer goes over the top of the motor mount bracket on which the castle (or slotted hex) nut will seat once the special bolt is inserted from the bottom.

ON my originals the washers have delaminated from the disintegrating rubber.
On my replacements the cheesy washers are seperate pieces.
I may use the original washers with the new rubber....
Do you know anyone that sells properly made cushions.

The ones I have I bought from Mac's and they are made in India!

[DavidG]

Ones from Bob Drake at least used to be as original, including in terms of the correct softness of the rubber portions.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Ones from Bob Drake at least used to be as original, including in terms of the correct softness of the rubber portions.

Bob Drake has good stuff...
They have two different sets..
One has chrome rings around the large cushion and extra brackets?
Done know what those extra brackets are for.
The other set they have has no brackets and no chrome rings
My originals have metal rings around the large cushion but dark and not chrome.

https://www.bobdrake.com/ItemForm.as...e-87862315efc8

https://www.bobdrake.com/ItemForm.as...e-87862315efc8

[DavidG]

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Frank,

The ones you want are those shown in your first example (no chrome and no extra brackets). The chrome plating is not original and the extra brackets are for installing a later V-8 engine in the chassis. Both examples have a steel band around the circumference of the large upper insulator. The large cup washers that come with the kit (they look to be either cadmium or zinc plated in the illustration) are not used in your application as there are depressions stamped into your front cross member that capture the large upper insulators. Those cup washers are only used on '35 and up and some very early '32 front cross members.

If you want 100% originality, all of the exposed steel portions of both the bottom and top insulators were originally brass plated, including the washers originally vulcanized to the bottom insulator and the large one on top of the large insulator plus the circumferential band. It was for corrosion protection and did not affect the functionality of the insulators.

[FrankWest]

Thanks

[GaryU.]

Not in stock according to his site.

[FrankWest]

Oh NO

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Frank,

The ones you want are those shown in your first example (no chrome and no extra brackets). The chrome plating is not original and the extra brackets are for installing a later V-8 engine in the chassis. Both examples have a steel band around the circumference of the large upper insulator. The large cup washers that come with the kit (they look to be either cadmium or zinc plated in the illustration) are not used in your application as there are depressions stamped into your front cross member that capture the large upper insulators. Those cup washers are only used on '35 and up and some very early '32 front cross members.

If you want 100% originality, all of the exposed steel portions of both the bottom and top insulators were originally brass plated, including the washers originally vulcanized to the bottom insulator and the large one on top of the large insulator plus the circumferential band. It was for corrosion protection and did not affect the functionality of the insulators.

I think the bands are now paint black same with the washers.
It would be almost impossible to plate those parts now if I purchased this stuff from Drake.
The best I could do would be to paint with a brass paint?
I could purchase a thin Brass flat washer.
With all the stuff sold for Ford cars I am surprise that someone has not produced an exact rep-lica...It is not so important anyway, I guess, I think the right rubber properties are the most important to function properly.

[DavidG]

Given what you've said previously about your plans for the car, I agree that details like the brass plating are secondary to functionality. The problem, of course, is that evidently Bob's recent "free shipping offer" and his cyber week discounts have cleared out his inventory of these kits. You might check with sellers like C&G and Sacramento Vintage to see if they carry the Drake insulators.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Given what you've said previously about your plans for the car, I agree that details like the brass plating are secondary to functionality. The problem, of course, is that evidently Bob's recent "free shipping offer" and his cyber week discounts have cleared out his inventory of these kits. You might check with sellers like C&G and Sacramento Vintage to see if they carry the Drake insulators.

I was able to order from drake....They said nothing about being out of stock?
Is there a place I could send these parts to have then brass plated? Probably not, because they would have to be brass plated before lamination.

[supereal]

They are not hard to find. We get ours from C&G. Ask for motor mounts, as the term "damper" refers to the front crankshaft pulley in common useage.

[DavidG]

If you really, really want the brass plating it can be done without harming the rubber. You'll need to remove the black paint and perhaps some rubber scrap that cover up the band and washers. A call to platers in the yellow pages in your area will lead you to the one(s) that do brass plating. The other alternative is, of course, some brass colored paint from the local hobby shop.

[FrankWest]

YOU'RE RIGHT. REMEMBER LONG AGO PEOPLE USED TO HAVE THE BABY SHOES BRONZED.
I imagine getting bronzed is almost like getting brassed!

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by DavidG

If you really, really want the brass plating it can be done without harming the rubber. You'll need to remove the black paint and perhaps some rubber scrap that cover up the band and washers. A call to platers in the yellow pages in your area will lead you to the one(s) that do brass plating. The other alternative is, of course, some brass colored paint from the local hobby shop.

Do many owners go for the brass plating or do they just do without it?

[CC33]

C&G is a great alternate from Bob Drake and Mac's.

[DavidG]

Frank,

I believe that only restorers preoccupied with authenticity would bother with the brass plating or paint. I bother, but I wouldn't for a driver as functionality isn't enhanced by doing so.

If you do decide to plate or paint should you ever have the transmission out of the chassis, the exposed steel portion of the rear transmission mounting bracket/insulator was also originally brass plated.

In this particular instance, C&G is only a viable alternative if the insulators they sell come from Drake as those are the best reproductions available.

[FrankWest]

thanks

[1931 flamingo]

If you still can't find what you want, try JOB LOT on Long Island.
Paul in CT