El Camino body Mount #3

[wooddie14]

So I'm fitting some thing on my 78 El Camino before I blast it and paint it and noticed one of my body mounts not correct. #3 bushing appears to be too thin/short, on both side. All of the other mounts are fitting and snugged up with new bolts. There appears to be about a 1/4" gap like the bushing is too short. Any ideas?

 

[Streetbu]

#3 is supposed to go on the opposite way of all the others for some strange reason. Thats how the factory did it. Swap the upper and lower around and you should be good to go.

 

[383_GrandPrix]

Streetbu is correct, I just looked at the instructions that came with my polly bushings and number 3 is supposed to be installed opposite the others or "up-side down" if you will

 

[ed1948]

The above is for El Camino.

 

[wooddie14]

Thanks for the replies everyone however, I don't see that this will fix the problem. The mount listed in my instructions is the same as the energy suspension diagram above. I bought mine years ago from PST. Bushing number 4131 and 4132 are used. If I switch the top and bottom it doesn't fix problem, still have about 1/4" gap between body and top of bushing. I took the #3 bushing out and took a picture of it, as you can see the top and bottom are nearly identical size or thickness. Also the way it's pictured is the way the instructions say to install it, 4131 on top and 4132 on bottom. 4131 is actually slightly thicker at about .93". The bottom is about .90" thick. I will have more time later to investigate.

 

[pontiacgp]

I would put a jack with a piece of wood near that spot and jack up the frame till the gap is closed and then tighten up the bolt. It could be the car was driven around with bad or missing bushings and that could have caused the C channel to tweak.

 

[ed1948]

About the only thing firmer than a G Body frame is overcooked spaghetti.

But, is it possible the body bottom at the mount could also be tweaked.
Loosen all the body mount bolts and rad support(if fenders still attached) on one side, check that all mounts are in position and tighten all the bolts in sequence a turn or two at a time until the torque spec is reached. Are the rocker panel seams/lip straight from front to back? Any accident damage to the body or frame? Before tightening make sure the rocker panel gap is parallel to the frame rails and there is equal space on each side of the car at the rocker lip to frame rail.