The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk identifying motor mounts, and some other mount?

Hello. In a post a few weeks ago, somebody said my problem could be due to "soft motor mounts". That problem has been solved, but now I'm trying to find my motor mounts to inspect them. Justhorsenround narrowed it down for me, and I believe I've found the rear mounts, but I'm not sure about the front mounts.

Also, there are these other "mounts" that I wonder what they are.

I've attached 3 pictures, and the views are kind of progressive, so I'll lead you through them in order.

The first picture is looking under the front of the truck (probably obvious). Directly beneath the radiator you'll see two U-shaped steel supports sandwiched between two "cross members". The rubber cushion or bushing is missing from the left one and crispy on the right one. What are these supporting, and is the missing rubber a big safety or mechanical concern?

The second picture is a view from underneath the first picture, looking up at the cross member. The two bolts on the left are in the U-shaped brackets, and a different view of the missing or crispy rubber bushings. On the right of this picture are 4 bolts, and I think this is where my motor mounts are? Can someone please confirm?

The last picture is a view of the 4 bolts on the right of the previous picture, from the back side. You can see the front of the bottom of the oil pan. If the motor mounts are here, they're enclosed by a piece of metal and not readily accessible for inspection. Should I need to remove some covers in order to inspect my motor mounts?

And finally, what is meant by "soft motor mounts"? I think I found the rear mounts, and they're very rigid rubber (I think), Does "soft" really mean not firm, or does it mean not properly secured?

The third picture shows the front motor mount with a metal cover over it which I believe is to keep oil off of it. There are four bolts altogether. Two bolts connect the motor to the mount. And two connect the mount to the frame. There are holes for the first two bolts to go through the frame but the are not attached. There is an excellent diagram in the shop manual.
The bolts which connect the motor to the mounts go through the metal cover. The bolts which connect the mount to the frame are under the metal cover.
It looks like that front motor mount is kind of soft.

I agree with Sedgewick.

For reference: you have the upper right assembly

Photo #1 is the Radiator Support mounting. Photo #3 is the front motor mount. "Soft" means that there is too much movement in them. It's not a monumental job to replace the rubber mount and just might help.

Thanks guys, very helpful. I had seen the nice diagram in the Shop Manual, but I couldn't find it under the truck. If I had gone back to the diagram, it would've confirmed what I was looking at. I will search the forums to read up on the replacement procedure for the front mounts. I can't imagine how one would do that without pulling the engine, or at least jacking it up, but if Justhorsen says it's not a monumental job, there must be a way. Would be a good time to have an overhead lift in my barn.

Take the bolts/nuts off the mount. Place a floor jack under the front or as close to the front of the engine as you can. Place a 2x4 or 2X6 on the jack pad and slowly jack the front of the motor up. Don’t go more than an inch or so, that will give you room to maneuver the mount out after getting the upper bolts off. Someone will be along shortly with what you will have to do to get the upper part of the mount loose. It’s been 30 years since I did one so my memory might be a bit rusty.🛠