Bill Schultz's Journal

While its fairly fresh in my mind, I want to list how I installed the Rear Mounts and Cross Member on the '74.
The engine I put in is a '75 as the original engine is seized. Will be rebuilt in a year or two.
Anyway, I cruised this site, the Bentley, The Haynes, YouTube and Googled every bit of info I could find - John Twists info on the variations was very helpful) - because of the posts on this site indicating it is a bear of a job. As it proved to be. Yes, after doing it a few times like others on this site, I can see were, with some exaggerating, it can be done in 30 minutes. So, lucky for me, my buddy I purchased some carb parts for for my previous B, over in Dartmouth, posted photos of his install right when I needed it. There was another person who had posted his version of the sequence of attaching the parts with a different sequence.
Well, I tried both variations and only got so far before one part or another would just not pop in or access to the bolts was impossible.
So, Here is how I did it...
First, I DID NOT remove the exhaust system.
Second, I DO NOT have a lift or a garage.
So, like many of us, i was working on my back in the drive way with the car on jack stands about 15 to 18 inches up.
Those are both items you should consider changing...at least a lift...
Ok, so, I cleaned and painted all the reusable parts.
I assembled the butterfly top and bottom with the new bushing and bolt.
I bolted to transmission with the butterfly, ears to the rear, very loosely. I had the new mounts in place also.
I fit the cross member in place, having to use a shovel between the frame and the exhaust pipe, lifting up on the shovel handle, gave me an inch or so to get the cross member back in place with some wiggle room.
I DID drill socket size holes in the cross member, as described on this site, for easier access to the mount studs. I had tried every position and combination previously and with the car NOT on a lift and the exhaust in place, its the only way I could install.
So with the cross member moved into position and loosely attaching the two bolts to the captive nuts in the butterfly,
I got the left side mount stud, into the cross members bracket.
(rear hole - not OD transmission so the cross member has to be closer to the trans. If OD trans, use the front hole).
I thought it would be a simple matter of positioning the cross member on the right side,..but...
I've seen photos of cross members which have slots in the bracket that bolts to the stud in the back of the rubber mounts, I believe individuals do this to ease the positioning of the stud into the hole(s). I do not think any cross members came from the factory with such slots.
So, I trying to wiggle, pull,loosen bolts already tightened, on both sides of the car... I tried prying the shovel handle up a little farther.
Nothing worked. I just could not get enough leverage to move the cross member. or tranny, over enough to make the stud pop in on the right side. It was easily within .125"! Many different tools and implements were use to help in the persuasion, to no avail.
Then I thought if I only had a come - along...then I thought more and wondered if my very recent purchase from Harbor Freight would do the trick. I bought the ratcheting set of tie downs just the day before...
I wrapper one around the butterfly bracket and the other end I fed around a handy deck support, 4X4.attached to the house.
I started ratcheting and within 15 ratchets, I heard a comforting thunk from under the car. I crawled under it, tow rope still in place, taught, and saw that it had worked. The stud on the mount was in a hole, but it was the front hole, for OD transmissions.
I grabbed the cross member where it bolts to the frame and pulled down, with almost no effort at all the stud came out of the bracket and with a slight move on the cross member, it went right in the rear hole.
I then tightened the nuts onto the studs, via the holes I drilled in the cross member and made sure all was tight.
Bolting the member back in place. I had new rear mounts!
That kind of how I remember doing it...
Good luck with yours...