Jesse,

Haven't seen any responses.....don't know that I can answer your question with certainty; but, two things that can be considered are the age and sagging.

If you have the installation manual; take a look at the Vibration Isolator detail which shows a cross section of the engine mount socket and the parts that make up the assembly. A point to keep in mind is the engine mount socket has a smaller diameter in the center of the mount than what you see on the outside.....if there is enough sag/wear....it isn't beyond possibilities that metal to metal contact could occur between the minor diameter of the engine mount socket and the metal bushing that the bolt goes through.

I remember it being a bit of a challenge to get enough compression on the rubber mounts to get the nut started on the bolt on my build when everything was new - probaby due to compressing the rubber hose bushing that goes between the front and back Lord rubber bushing.

Keep your spirits up on the maintenance stuff you are finding.....

Sincerely,

Dave S
KF 7 Trigear
912ULS Warp drive

St Paul, MN