What is this???? Weight in transmission tunnel 72 SSP

[JoePole]

Hope I put this in the proper section. While changing out my mufflers I noticed this weight located in the transmission tunnel where the rear sub frame starts.
appears to be fastened with rubber isolation mounts. What is its purpose? Remove it for street car? Sorry for the bad pictures.

 

[j-c-c-62]

A handicap for the sake of Chevy's and Ford's?

 

[Ron_M]

I've believed it to be some kind of vibration dampener. I parted a 72 Coronet that had one.

 

[j-c-c-62]

Seriously, it's a solution for a lazy engineer to retune a disliked chassis resonance or a bean counter's low-cost quick fix to do the same thing.
My car, it would be in the scrap pile, allowing me to eat another 1/4 pounder, and I would either turn up the radio, or get louder mufflers.

 

[70chall440]

That is correct, it is a weight designed to reduce or eliminate vibrations within the passenger compartment. I removed the one in my 71 charger as well.

 

[Ron_M]

SWAG I'm thinking it might have added at the factory during dynamometer testing? Doesn't seem to be a common item and most of the ones that I have encountered seem to be on the 1971/1972 MY cars. Just a wild a$$ guess though.

 

[Lefty71]

Its the chrome muffler bearing.
Yours is kinda rusty.

 

[j-c-c-62]

Wonder if the previous owner ever rotated it?

 

[71Beeper]

My 71 came with one also.
I took it off and used it as a wheel stop.
Pretty heavy for such a small piece of casting.

 

[Lefty71]

A handicap for the sake of Chevy's and Ford's?

This is good.....I was gonna say "keeps the front end down" lol

 

[Nacho-RT74]

If doesn’t disturb and can help, why remove it?

 

[68_661charger]

Ive seen those mounted on the transmission under the tail shaft as well. Super heavy piece....

 

[71Beeper]

If doesn’t disturb and can help, why remove it?

Good question Nacho,
I think I'll clean mine up and get it powder coated and put it back on to see if it makes a difference.
I did leave the studs in the underside so it can be bolted back in place.

But that will be a winter project and try it out next year.

 

[Kevin McCabe]

Hope I put this in the proper section. While changing out my mufflers I noticed this weight located in the transmission tunnel where the rear sub frame starts.
appears to be fastened with rubber isolation mounts. What is its purpose? Remove it for street car? Sorry for the bad pictures.

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IT's a driveline vibration dampener. Leave it alone.