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While replacing the numerous rusty sections of the floor board of the 51 Packard, I had to remove several of the body/frame bolts. Some were so rusty that one quarter turn on the wrench would break them in half. So after the new metal was in, I bought new Grade 8 bolts and nuts, but needed new rubber bushings. There are two types used - the upper one has a metal bushing in the center to keep the rubber from being crushed. This is the one between the bottom of the floor pan and the frame. The second one is underneath the frame, and is a rubber bushing with a large fender washer underneath it. I went to Napa to see if they could help me, and I found they have a generic motor mount rubber for about $2 each. The rubber is exactly the right diameter, but is too thick. (It is the thicker bushing on the left in the photo.) A few minutes with a band saw corrects this issue. A hacksaw will work, but the blade tends to wander. After the underside of the new metal was painted and undercoated, I installed the new bolts, washers and rubber bushings. I now feel comfortable knowing that the body and frame are now securely fastened together. Plus the Packard doesn't look like Fred Flintstone's car!

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Good to know something may be available locally. Metro Molded Partshttp://www.metrommp.com/ also has some generic body cushions in various sizes -- and considerably less in cost than some advertised elsewhere.

David, nice to know about the NAPA rubber mounts. I have found that cutting rubber parts with a saw works better if the blade is lubricated rather than used dry. Water, oil, and brake fluid all work well.

(o[]o)

Putting the rubber in the freezer mite help to. However note that there are special grinding wheels available for grinding rubber.

Gotta NAPA part # handy???? Add it to the "Packard Parts X-ref" (see left as main menue) or i'll add it. PRobably need to add HH56's link posted above too.

Thanks for the very helpful info.

How did u hold the rubber to saw it???? THat has always been a problem for me. Usualy i have to find some kind of PVC or thin wall tubing that the rubber will fit to keep it from distorting as i saw it or to allow for clamping in a vice..

Also need to watch for the rubbers softness/hardness. It is measured in uniots called Durometers. There is a simple hand held hardness tester that will measure it if in doubt. Usualy i just guess at it.

I held the mounts in the vice, which made it more difficult to cut straight. A band saw would work best I think. The rubber is fairly hard, but does compress when you get after the wrench. The Napa number is 602-1045. I added it to the data base, but I couldn't find the original part number for the upper or lower ones.