Motor Mounts

What Are Motor Mounts and Why Do They Matter?

Motor mounts are the unsung heroes of any engine installation — whether you're powering a weekend cruiser, a liveaboard vessel, or a full-size RV. These critical components secure the engine to the chassis or hull structure and, just as importantly, act as vibration isolators, absorbing the constant movement and torque pulses produced by a running engine. Without properly functioning motor mounts, excess vibration can transfer through the entire drivetrain, causing accelerated wear on surrounding components, uncomfortable noise levels, and potentially dangerous misalignment of linkages and exhaust systems.

In marine and RV applications, motor mounts face a unique set of demands. Constant exposure to moisture, temperature swings, salt air, and the sustained load cycles of long-distance travel all take a toll on the rubber-and-steel construction of a typical mount. Recognizing early signs of mount failure — such as excessive engine movement under acceleration, clunking sounds when shifting, or a noticeable increase in cabin vibration — can save owners from far more expensive repairs down the road.

Types of Motor Mounts

• Standard Rubber Mounts: The most common type, featuring a rubber isolator bonded between metal brackets. Ideal for OEM-style replacements where quiet operation is the priority.
• Hydraulic Mounts: Fluid-filled designs that offer superior vibration damping, especially suited for front-wheel-drive and transverse engine configurations.
• Performance / Polyurethane Mounts: Firmer bushings that reduce engine movement under high-torque conditions. Popular for performance builds and engine swap applications where precision alignment matters more than maximum NVH isolation.
• Billet Aluminum Mounts: Machined from solid aluminum with replaceable bushings, offering the strength and adjustability demanded by purpose-built performance and swap applications.

What to Consider When Shopping for Motor Mounts

Fit and application accuracy are paramount — an incorrectly spec'd mount can introduce misalignment that stresses exhaust components, drive shafts, and transmission linkages. Beyond fitment, consider the durometer (hardness) rating of the rubber or polyurethane bushing: softer compounds absorb more vibration but allow more engine movement, while stiffer compounds keep the engine planted but transmit more NVH into the cabin. For marine environments in particular, look for mounts with corrosion-resistant hardware and rubber compounds rated for exposure to fuels and oils.

Top Motor Mount Brands

When it comes to performance engine swap applications, Innovative Mounts leads the field. Innovative Mounts is a leading manufacturer of motor mounts, traction bars, shift linkages, and all-wheel-drive swap parts, with products designed, cut, welded, and finished in-house by their east coast team for strict quality control. Their billet and steel mount kits cover a wide range of Honda, Acura, and other popular engine swap platforms, with bushing options spanning from street-friendly to full track-hardness ratings.

For straightforward OEM-replacement coverage across a huge range of domestic and import vehicles, Anchor Industries has been the go-to name since 1933. Anchor uses a special Chemlock® bonding agent to ensure a superior rubber-to-metal bond, and all mounts are designed with CAD/CAM technology to meet or exceed OEM specifications, with both natural and SBR rubber compounds tuned to each application's specific durometer requirements.

DEA Products has been a focused specialist in engine and transmission mounts since its incorporation in 1981, offering a bolt-in replacement philosophy across passenger cars, trucks, and SUVs. Their mounts are engineered to meet or exceed original specifications, making them a popular choice for budget-conscious restorers and daily-driver repairs alike.

Rounding out the lineup, Westar provides a broad catalog of OEM-style replacement motor mounts covering a wide variety of vehicle applications, offering an accessible option for straightforward engine mount replacements across many makes and models.