Body Bushing Kits info

Discussion in 'Wet behind the ears??' started by Dalton69Skylark, Sep 24, 2020.

  1. Dalton69Skylark

    Dalton69Skylark Well-Known Member

    I'm doing a total body off restoration with a '69 Skylark. I see several body bushing kits available out there. each says they're better than the one before. I hear polyurethane is the way to go. Any advice on good kits at a good price? This car will have 500 HP or slightly more pending my budget.
     
  2. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

    I would use the rubber mounts. And, yes, I have used the synthetic mounts. Some like the CARS mounts and some like Fusick Olds mounts.
     
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  3. flynbuick

    flynbuick Guest

  4. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    Most of the available body mount bushings and kits are generic..... one size bushing fits all locations. There isn't much difference between manufacturers.
    But if you want bushings identical to the originals, CARS, Fusick, and Inline Tube sell individual bushings, sized like the originals..... for example, the rearmost bushings near the trunk may be a larger diameter than the bushings used at the cowl or along the side rails. There may be 4 different bushings used by Buick.
    Do you need the hardware? That'll likely cost extra. Inline tube has nice reproductions with flanged bolt heads and pointed ends.
    Going this route with original sized bushings and repo hardware will cost you $150++ .

    A nice kit at a good price is offered by Ground Up. A bunch of guys here have used them. They use the one-size-fits all locations, and a hardware kit with flanged bolt heads. Be sure to get the convertible kit as it has the extra cowl bushings Buick used on the Skylark.
    https://www.ss396.com/chevelle/DCC-...ion_product_id=629&cartype=chevelle&year=1969
    upload_2020-9-25_10-6-37.png
     
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  5. FLGS400

    FLGS400 Gold Level Contributor

    Great information, thanks!
     
  6. 12lives

    12lives Control the controllable, let the rest go

    Should you do all the mounts at the same time? One side at a time? George says the raise the body 1/2-3/4", should I worry about the front fenders hitting the body/doors?
     
  7. PaulGS

    PaulGS Well-Known Member

    If you lift one side at a time, you need to watch the body hitting the bumpers.
     
  8. Dalton69Skylark

    Dalton69Skylark Well-Known Member

    I'll look into this. Thanks.
    A lot of people say go urethane or rubber. Can anybody explain the pros and cons of either?
     
  9. Oldskewl59

    Oldskewl59 Gold Level Contributor

    The Urethane bushings are a harder, less forgiving material. They will transmit noise and vibration much better than the stock rubber bushings, but are better for serious racing, where a harsh ride is not a factor. Personally, I can't imagine the gains would be worth it on a street driven car. Other suspension parts might be worth the performance gain.
     
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  10. 64 skylark mike

    64 skylark mike Well-Known Member

    I used a kit from Ground Up SS 396 for my '64 Skylark. Definitely order the convertible kit. I also ended up ordering 2 extra mounts and replaced the unbolted mounts with the bolt in type. The threaded inserts are already there in the body. I did one side at a time once I got all the bolts loose. Removed both bumpers. Took bolts out of one side and loosened bolts on other side. I cut a 2x4 the length of the rockers and made a groove for the pinch weld to fit into. Jacked up one side about 1-1/2" and got all the mounts in on that side. Let it back down and installed the bolts but didn't tighten all the way. Same for other side. Then tighten everything down with vehicle setting on the tires on the same height of wood blocks. Hardest part was getting the bolts out. One cage nut was rotted beyond taking the nut out . Another was rusted so bad that I had to cut a hole in the floorboard and drill it out.
     
  11. gstewart

    gstewart Well-Known Member

    I purchased the convert kit from Fusik Olds. I removed the fender liners to replace the two bushings under each side. I purchased front bushing by the rad cradle from CARS.. I replaced one side of the vehicle at a time so as not to move the body.
     
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  12. BennyK81

    BennyK81 Well-Known Member

    does the Ground Up kit have lower bushings with molded in washers? you can't really tell by the picture

    kit does look appealing
     
  13. 64 skylark mike

    64 skylark mike Well-Known Member

    Yes, on the washers built in. I am very happy with them. I ordered the convertible kit, but I was short the rubber bumpers that don't use bolts. Golden Oldie 65 sent me some. But he also told me about using regular mounts with bolts in those 4 locations. So I ordered extra mounts and installed with bolts. Just make sure the kit you order has 14 standard mounts and all new bolts. Run a thread tap through all the captured nuts with a bit of PB Blaster.
    My car has always rode good, but there is a lot less rattles now. I rebuilt the rear suspension and added a rear sway bar and new shocks while I had the car apart. The ride seems more stable, but still smooth. So I don't know exactly how much improvement the mounts made. I do know that the rubber on the old mounts were in a lot worse condition than I thought once I got them out. They were falling apart.
     
  14. BennyK81

    BennyK81 Well-Known Member

    Thanks for the info.. I'll probably try this kit as the price is appealing and bolts look good too. I have a few original bolts that are like new wich I can reuse.

    Does it include the two different bushings for under the doors? don't know if 65's have them too
     
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2020
  15. BennyK81

    BennyK81 Well-Known Member

    Now look at that:

    upload_2020-10-10_20-53-50.png

    Swiss Francs is close to USD...so you get the picture...thats over USD 200 for shipping...impossible for me...

    that's why I always have to order at Summit or smaller shops where you talk to the owner himself....
     
  16. Gary Bohannon

    Gary Bohannon Well-Known Member

    I used the Energy Suspension black poly kit for Buicks only, with the extra mounts.
    64-67 skylark ....4155G
    68-72 skylark ....4160G
    The 68-72 Buick Skylarks all had open frames, even the GS models. For that reason, if you want to do some performance driving, use the poly bushings to firm up the frame.
    I used them on my 67 GS with the boxed frame and did not notice any extra road noise. I love the firm feel, and knowing that nothing is going to sag again.
    I took time to lay out all the 12 stacks of parts, and then noticed what parts come off my car that looked different. I positioned the rear end vs body, before torquing everything tight.
     
  17. 64 skylark mike

    64 skylark mike Well-Known Member

    The bushings were all the same on my car, both the originals I took off and the new ones.
     
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