pn 120394 washer help on ID

[Alan Drake]

This is the washer on the fuel filter bracket, 3834122, on a hi perf eng for 64. The 365 & 375.
IS the washer a flat washer (120394) or ?? And what reference are you using? Question for National so need ref.

Thanks
Alan

[John D.]

Re: pn 120394 washer help on ID

Alan, It's a flat washer. Bascially an SAE 3/8" washer. References used to substaniate the authenticity of this part are as follows: Assembly manual, Standard parts manual,original photos of factory engines, etc.
The same washer is also used on the clear air tube. The thin nut on top of this flat washer is a 3/8 course thread jam nut- (not a lock nut). It was used in various locations. Fuel filter bracket, clean air tube, and two were used for the clutch rod. Joe Lucia put a photo on the DB here showing a package of flat washers that were cadmium or zinc plated. Whether or not these washers were in fact plated or bare steel from St. Louis is not quite clear to us at this time. If I were to bet on it here is what I would say. Originally the washers were bare steel as pointed on in the Standard Parts Book. But later on the washers were plated. But this is only speculation.
Robert Jorjorian also posted a photo of these washers and others worked quite hard on this washer project because for many years the hobbiest and repro catalogs mislead us by suggesting that an outside star washers was used for the fuel filter adapter stud. On their behave though I do think the error was made because the 57-58 FI fuel filter adapter studs did in fact use an outside star washer. But the 63 to 65 hiHP Corvettes only used the SAE flat washer. There is zero doubt in my mind the above is the real deal. You are on the ball Alan. I am proud of you for putting this washer on your show car. Let all the others there at the show see what the real deal is supposed to be.I believe Verne with the 57 FI car is there. Use him for reference also as he presented us with a nice photo of an original fuel filter stud with a rather rusty flat washer. I just bought a 1000 of them and would not have done so if I didn't truly believe the above. Free for the asking at Corvette Carlisle. Thanks, John

[John D.]

Re: pn 120394 washer help on ID

Alan, Didn't you also have a pic of this flat washer setup?

[Alan Drake]

Re: pn 120394 washer help on ID

Yes, picture!
However at the Nationals they still are hitting everyone on this no Star Washer.
Wanted to give judges some info - do not believe anything will be changed, but
Also note (for DB info) that my fuel bracket is original to car and does not have any markings on chrome. If a star washer was used the bracket would be all marked up. Well I pass John's post on.
Thanks
Alan

[John D.]

Re: pn 120394 washer help on ID

Alan, You are to be commended for showing your car with this flat washer. Problem is for the last 30 years guys have been using the outside star washer. Some even think they know which star washer is correct as to its configuration. All that is misinformation. But since the item is not covered by the manuals and since it is not widely recognized as being the real deal I can see why you got a hit.
Takes more than our chatter here to convince people. It will take an act of congress, articles in "The Restorer" and other publications and communication with the catalog companies to correct this error. I mean there are thousands of cars out there that have the outside star washer for the fuel filter bracket. One of them is in my garage. But not for long.
I hate to admit it but as fussy as I am with my show car I didn't have the b's to install the damn thing. I apologize for my weakness.
Meanwhile keep up the good work. After all do you want a correct car or just another repro car. I have read most all of your posts here on the DB. I can tell you want the real deal. It's people like you that we all need. Thanks very much, John

[John D.]

Re: pn 120394 washer help on ID

Alan, While at the national please check Lance's & Chips original 63 to see if it has the flat washer for the FF brkt. If so you know what to do. Show it to all concerned. Then document everything and send it to Roy et al. Thanx

[Alan Drake]

Re: Sorry

Already left (6am) for show before email so unable to take pictures. Just never got near a computer again till now.
Does the washer pn have a description in the parts book???
Alan

Guess I'll wait for JG to catch up with car.

[John D.]

Re: flat washer trivia

Alan, Did I give you a couple of washers??? Can't remember. Sent a lot out. In the aims it lists the part number. #120394.The standard parts book lists the dimensions for sure. Flat washer. OD is 13/16, hole size is 13/32 (3/8), and it's 1/16" thick.Pretty simple cheap washer. Readily available. It may have been zinc plated back then but I don't know. SPB says steel. Could have been bare?? "You can still get these from GM under the original part number. They are supplied in a package of 10." (ala Joe Lucia) Got the same info from Michael Hanson on the west coast of FL and Robert Jorjorian from the East coast.Every little bit helps as these guys are the guru's of this hobby. Hanson flooded me with info like he always does. Now I've been getting some emails where guys have been looking thru their rusty parts they took from their midyears and guess what?So far none had the outside star washer. The stud assembly had just thin flat washer and a thin jam nut. After I get thru a couple of Carlisle shows back to back I think I may write an article on the washer. Before I do that I will ask for help in more documentation from the troops so there is no doubt in ANYONEs mind. Next week I may have a pic from Lance's 12,000 mile 63 of the filter stud assembly. Maybe I can get Gary Cox to take a pic also. (Gary if you are looking in!!!!). John

[Alan Drake]

Re: flat washer trivia

Yes John you gave me washers and then I found one too.
Wait for your article so this can be cleared up for next year, think its in the new JG for 63/64?
Alan

[John D.]

Re: flat washer trivia

Alan, Highly unlikely for this info to be in any manuals. But maybe in the future if properly presented and documented. I see you are really into the nitty gritty. That's good as that's my bag. Later, John