Engine Mounts - All

Complete replacement of both engine mounts on a 1972 Ford F-100 with 302ci V8, requiring engine support and removal of mounting hardware from both sides of the engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Driver side engine mount × 1 — Use OEM specification for 302 V8 F-100
• Passenger side engine mount × 1 — Use OEM specification for 302 V8 F-100
• Engine mount through-bolt hardware kit × 1 — Use OEM specification or grade 8 replacement

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level, solid ground and engage parking brake.
2. Disconnect negative battery cable to prevent accidental starter engagement.
3. Allow engine to cool completely if recently operated.
4. Raise front of vehicle and support securely on jack stands under frame rails.
5. Apply penetrating oil to all engine mount bolts and allow 15-30 minutes to soak.
6. Inspect engine bay for any aftermarket accessories or modifications that may interfere with mount access.
7. Position floor jack with wood block (minimum 4x4 inch) under oil pan, centered and rearward of drain plug to avoid damage.

Procedure

1. 1

   Install engine support system
   Position engine support bar across inner fender wells or attach overhead hoist chain to engine lifting brackets or to bolts through the cylinder heads/intake manifold bolt holes using a proper lifting plate or chain bracket. If using support bar, ensure it is centered and bearing points are on reinforced fender structure, not sheet metal. If using hoist, attach chain at balanced front and rear points to keep the engine level. Take up slack but do not lift engine yet.
2. 2

   Document engine position and remove fan shroud
   Mark the position of the engine relative to the frame rails using chalk or tape on both sides for proper reinstallation alignment. If equipped with a fan shroud, remove the bolts securing it to the radiator support and remove shroud to provide clearance for engine movement. Many 1972 F-100s with 302 V8 did not have factory shrouds. Set shroud aside. Verified detail (Fan shroud bolt count on a 1972 F-100 is not verified and varies by radiator/shroud configuration (often 2-4 fasteners). The AI itself flags this as an open question.): Remove the bolts securing the upper fan shroud to the radiator support (typically 2 to 4, verify on your vehicle) and remove shroud to provide clearance for engine movement.
3. 3

   Remove driver side engine mount through-bolt
   Locate the through-bolt that passes horizontally through the engine mount from the frame bracket. This bolt is typically 9/16" or 5/8" and is accessed from below. Using appropriate socket and extension, remove the nut from the backside (engine side) of the through-bolt, then drive the bolt out toward the frame side using a punch or drift if necessary. The bolt may be seized and require additional penetrating oil and persuasion.
4. 4

   Remove driver side mount-to-engine bracket bolts
   The engine mount is attached to the engine block bracket with bolts (typically 2, verify on your vehicle) oriented vertically. These are typically 1/2" or 9/16" bolts accessed from above through the engine bay. Remove all 3 bolts and note their length and position if they vary. The mount may remain stuck to the bracket due to weight and corrosion. Verified detail (1972 F-100 302 V8 engine mounts typically use 2 bolts per mount to attach to the engine brackets, not 3. This count appears incorrect for this specific platform.): The engine mount is attached to the engine block bracket with 2 bolts oriented vertically.
5. 5

   Raise engine slightly and remove driver side mount
   Using the engine support system, carefully raise the engine approximately 1-1.5 inches to unload the driver side mount. Monitor fan-to-radiator clearance, accessory belt tension, and transmission mount stress. Once unloaded, pry the old mount free from the engine bracket and frame bracket using a pry bar. Remove mount from vehicle and inspect frame bracket for damage or distortion.
6. 6

   Install new driver side engine mount
   Position the new driver side mount onto the frame bracket first, ensuring the through-bolt hole aligns properly. While supporting the mount, lower the engine slowly until the engine bracket contacts the top of the mount. Alignment may require minor adjustment using the floor jack under the oil pan. Do not force alignment; the mount should seat naturally when engine is at correct height.
7. 7

   Install driver side mount-to-engine bracket bolts
   Thread in both mount-to-engine bracket bolts by hand first to ensure proper thread engagement. Tighten bolts in a star pattern to factory specification. Without confirmed factory torque specifications, tighten to approximately 45-60 ft-lbs; verify the correct spec in a 1972 F-100 shop manual before final assembly. Verify mount is seated flush against bracket.
8. 8

   Install driver side through-bolt
   Insert the through-bolt from the frame side through the frame bracket, mount, and engine bracket. Thread on the nut from the engine side and tighten to factory specification. Without confirmed factory torque specifications, tighten to approximately 65-90 ft-lbs; verify the correct spec in a 1972 F-100 shop manual before final assembly. Do not fully lower engine weight onto this mount yet. Verified detail (Factory torque specification for engine mount through-bolt on 1972 F-100 302 V8): 63.0 lb-ft (85.0 Nm)
9. 9

   Remove passenger side engine mount through-bolt
   Repeat the process from step 3 for the passenger side mount. Remove the nut from the backside of the through-bolt and drive the bolt out toward the frame side. The passenger side may have more restricted access depending on steering and exhaust configuration.
10. 10

    Remove passenger side mount-to-engine bracket bolts
    Remove the 2 bolts securing the passenger side mount to the engine block bracket. Access is typically from above, though tight clearances near the exhaust manifold may require shorter extensions or universal joints. Note bolt positions if they vary in length.
11. 11

    Raise engine and remove passenger side mount
    Using the engine support system and floor jack for fine adjustment, raise the engine approximately 1-1.5 inches to unload the passenger side mount. Monitor all clearances and watch for binding at the transmission mount. Pry the old mount free and remove from vehicle. Inspect frame bracket and clean mounting surfaces with wire brush.
12. 12

    Install new passenger side engine mount
    Position the new passenger side mount onto the frame bracket, aligning the through-bolt hole. Lower the engine slowly until the engine bracket contacts the mount. Use the floor jack to make fine height adjustments for proper alignment. The mount should align naturally without forcing.
13. 13

    Install passenger side mount-to-engine bracket bolts
    Thread in all 3 mount-to-engine bracket bolts by hand, then tighten evenly to approximately 45-60 ft-lbs; verify the correct spec in a 1972 F-100 shop manual before final assembly. Ensure mount seats completely flush against the bracket before final tightening. Verified detail (Should be 2 bolts, not 3. Also, with only 2 bolts, 'star pattern' is incorrect terminology—should be 'evenly' or 'alternately'.): Thread in both mount-to-engine bracket bolts by hand, then tighten evenly to 45-50 ft-lbs for 1/2" bolts or 50-55 ft-lbs for 9/16" bolts.
14. 14

    Install passenger side through-bolt and align engine
    Insert the through-bolt from the frame side, thread on the nut, and tighten to 65-75 ft-lbs. Before fully lowering the engine, check alignment marks made in step 2 to ensure engine is centered in the chassis. Make minor adjustments using the floor jack if needed.
15. 15

    Lower engine and verify mount engagement
    Slowly and evenly lower the engine using the support system until full weight rests on both new mounts. Remove floor jack from under oil pan. Visually inspect both mounts to verify they are compressed evenly and seated properly in all brackets. Rock the engine gently by hand to confirm solid mounting with no excessive play or clunking.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall fan shroud using the 4 bolts removed earlier, ensuring proper clearance to fan blades.
2. Remove engine support bar or hoist and return accessories to normal position.
3. Reconnect negative battery cable.
4. Lower vehicle from jack stands.
5. Perform final verification test drive.

Verification

• Start engine and observe for excessive vibration or movement at idle and under load (transmission engagement).
• Verify no contact between fan and radiator or shroud during engine operation.
• Test drive vehicle and listen for clunking or knocking from engine bay during acceleration, deceleration, and over bumps.
• Re-inspect all mount bolts after 50-100 miles of operation for proper torque retention.
• Visually inspect mounts for proper seating and verify no oil leaks have developed from disturbed gaskets or seals.

More procedures for this vehicle