Inliners International Forums General Discussion Ford 300 Ford - THICK washers

Does anybody have a resource for THICK washers.
The intake/exhaust mounting washers on a 300 are for a 3/8" stud and have a 7/8" outer diameter, but just barely get a grip on my Offie intake and EFI exhaust manifolds. I need something with an outer diameter of at least 1", and preferably 1 1/8". If I can get 1 1/4" washers I can grind them down, but they HAVE TO BE ABOUT 1/4" THICK.
HELP!!!

Not a bad plan Walt, I may have to end up doing that, but I'm thinking that they are hardened, 8 line I think.

Ch**y used "football" shaped washers on their I-6s. They reportedly work perfectly on the Offy/EFI conversion on the Ford 300.

Strangeranger said
"Ch**y used "football" shaped washers on their I-6s. They reportedly work perfectly on the Offy/EFI conversion on the Ford 300"

Yeah but then all my Ch**y buddies would never let me up. I can hear them now: "So you couldn't get that FURD to run without some Chebby parts on it huh?", or "Built FURD tough with Chebby stuff ?". Those GM boys can be brutal, you know!

I better just continue looking for some bigger washers, but thanks for the suggestion.

I had trouble getting the Chevy washers to work on a 300. They hit the port wall before they seat on the mounting tab.

Yeah, I always wondered why the Ford thick washers were only "almost big enough". I think they have been responsible for damaging many aluminum aftermarket manifolds as they just don't offer enough bite on the aluminum.

I have made washers out of flat plate in the past. The stock washers are not heat treated as I recall.

I guess we'd better not tell him about Ch**y I6 rocker arms fitting the 300 and increasing the lift

Inline6Guy, I've checked autobody shim/washers suppliers- nothing matches. Could they be cut out of 1/4" stock using a metal cutting holesaw of the proper o.d. then enlarging the pilot hole to 3/8.

FTF - good to know about the non heat treated, thanks.
Strange Ranger - Yeah but they can't SEE the rockers LOL.

I have tried tractor parts dealers... no deal.
I have tried bolt suppliers .... no deal.
Tomorrow I'm gonna call the local CAT dealer, I have my fingers crossed.
If I find some I'll let you guys know the PN, where, and how much.

Well, FYI the local Catapillar dealer had some 1.25" x 3/16" washers for about $1.30 each. He had trouble finding them on the computer untill I told him to look at manifold bolts/washers for an inline motor then Bingo. Buy that time I had already started making my own from 1.5" x 3/16" strap iron, so I went on and finished them.
One thing though, if you decide to make your own, be aware that each one is different, partly due to location and partly due to the "relief" cut into the EFI manifolds. Also positioning these oblong retainers correctly during instalation is tougher than with round washers. If I had some 1.5" x 1/4" strap, I would have used that to be on the stronger side. All in all, they look OK and will do a much better job of holding my manifolds, and the new stainless bolts dress it up some too.