DF-2205-2 Bushings brand engine mounts

[ChrisOB]

I'm looking at all the options and came across these from Go2marine.  Has anyone used them? Anyone have additional comments on using Vetus 75 in rear and 50 in front?  Thanks!

[scgunner]

Chris,

I'm not familiar with the DF-2205-2 Bushings but I've seen a lot of messages posted over the years and read a few articles on the Vetus motor mounts, generally everyone seems to be very happy with them. I could be wrong but I believe Vetus is OE on Universal powered C34s. It's your choice but I tend to go with what seems to work for everybody else or OE.

[Ron Hill]

Chris : If I had to do it all over again with a M25XP engine, I would go with the Vetus 75s all the way around.

I was listening to a Vetus engineer when I went with all 50s!!  They were just too soft so that's when I change out the rears to 75s!!

A few thoughts

[ChrisOB]

Thanks Ron I'm leaning towards the 75 all around set up, these bushings brand looked similar to the ones I have, assume they are the originals.

[Stu Jackson]

Chris, that's a good way to lean!   The whole idea of this website is to avoid reinventing the wheel, right?    Use the 75s, all four.  Good luck.  Tell us how you did it, too, while you're at it, always good for a tech note and/or wiki contribution.

[ChrisOB]

I wanted to post an update here incase anyone was looking for engine mount solutions on this thread in the future.  I ended up not replacing them.  I spent a few more hours on the alignment, and had a helper (my wonderful wife) in the aft cabin upside down with the feelers while I adjusted the mounts with big wrenches and sockets from the front and the 2 side access doors.  Did a few test runs to the mouth of the harbor and back and re-adjustments.  Everything is very smooth and quite now, even with all my sound insulation ripped out (Soundown Yachtmaster Jr pack just arrived from Defender). Note- I had just installed a new stainless shaft, and I did a lot of banging around, cutting metal and cursing to get the old bronze shaft out, and had my rudder out and a lot of stuff going on back there.  I have decided to not purchase new mounts, but I appreciate everyone's input and if anyone ends up on this thread in the future, there is good advice about the mounts to get.

[scgunner]

Chris,

I'm curious as to why you chose not to replace the motor mounts, with all the work you did back there it would have seemed to be a perfect opportunity to replace them, they are after all 34yrs old.

[ChrisOB]

It was really just a time issue.  R&R the mounts looks straightforward enough, but I didn't have time to start that project.  Most of the work I did was further aft, and the only work I would have to duplicate if I choose to do the mounts is the alignment, which should go quicker next time with less guesswork.  Once I finish the second half of the air conditioning duct work I may revisit it, however I never did settle on exactly which mounts I would purchase.

[Ron Hill]

Chris : it's hard to believe that you still have the original 1986 engine mounts??  I would have thought that after 34 years at least the front port side mount would have had enough oil dripped (from filter changes) to make it SOFT!!   

A thought

[Roc]

I have my original 2000 year motor mounts.  When I change fluids, I drape cloths over them so nothing spills on them.  I check the engine for excessive vibration in neutral and in gear, you can barely see the engine shake.  I guess my mounts are still doing their job.

[ChrisOB]

I always take the filter off last, and with a rag I have never dripped on the mount, but the PO's may have.  My 1986 M25 hasn't ticked 2000 yet, we were in the Bahamas for 2 seasons and I think I only burned 100 gallons in the 2 seasons.  The second Bahamas season we did 3 months and 600 miles of travelling and I arrived back in Florida with 5 gallons of Florida diesel on the rail, didn't fuel up once (18 in the tank and 4x6 gals on the rail).  We did burn a lot on the trip down from NY though since we have an older golden retriever so we did a bunch of ICW.  The engine is super smooth at the moment, so I will put other projects ahead of the engine mounts.  I try to use it as little as possible these days anyway.  Speaking of which, I love my Asym, but has anyone fitted a sprit and a CODE-0 on a top down?  That would really make or break that "we are doing 4.6 should we motor" question.  The CODE would make that jump back to 5.7 a lot easier.

EDIT: I have no idea if my mounts are 1986 originals, the boat had 3 PO's to my knowledge (Me since 2013).  "Frog Prince" was active at some point in the Catalina 40+ foot forums, I think he was the owner in the 1990's, and I was able to re-activate his CG documentation number(Yes I changed it all to me, its just easier to not re-submit the measurements).  My cockpit cushions still say Frog Prince on them, and bottom siders got a kick when I told them that when i was ordering a repair kit(they recognized the Frog Prince custom Logo).  Their cushions are designed for 8 years or so and i think i am pushing 20.  I know some of the other PO's are deceased.

[Ron Hill]

ROC : We all have ways to protect that mount under the oil filter. 
BTW, your M35BC engine didn't come with the crummy OEM M25 XP mounts. 

Yours are a MUCH better engine mount!!

A thought