Washers - copper, steel, spring

[Phil C]

Good evening everyone,  Washer think of this? When I removed my rocker oil feed pipe, it had a copper washer each side of the banjos. No other washers. No leaks were apparent.

But before I even removed it, I thought I would renew the washers when I came to fit a new pipe, so I ordered, from Draganfly, the washers which were shown on the parts diagram. I did ask the person I spoke to to label them individually, but he didn't (they are very busy at the moment.) What I received, for each banjo, were a spring washer, and two flat washers, one of which is copper. The other flat washer and the spring washer, appear to be steel. The diagram shows them all as follows:

10140  0156    (that's a spring washer, shown on the parts diagram as being innermost of the washers)
10140  0157    (outside the spring washer, inside the banjo)
10140  0159    (outside the banjo, so in contact with the domed nut.)

So I need to decide:  do I stick with what was used on the old pipe, ie just a copper washer each side of the banjo, full stop? Or do I do it as per the parts diagram?  And if so, which of the two flat washers is the copper one?  Any thoughts, please?      Phil.

[Phil C]

By the way, it's a 1965 B40F.

[idie]

Do your oil feed bolts not have a taper under the heads. If they are flat under the head I would stick to the copper washers. My B33 and Shooting Star have tapers under the bolt heads so only need a washer under the banjo.

[Phil C]

Oil feed bolts?  Taper? I'm not with you, idie.  The washers and dome nut fit onto the threaded end of the spindles.

The spring washer is a pretty springy looking affair (see photo.)

I've now found the invoice, which lists 0159 superseded to 942-48 rockerbox washer; 0156 rocker spring washer; 0158 rocker thrust washer. I'm guessing the thrust washer is the flat steel jobby.

All help regarding whether to do it as per parts diagram, or go with just plain copper washers, much appreciated.    Phil.

[Mike40M]

As your copper washers did their job, I see no point in using anything else.
Only problem with reusing them is that they tend to harden with age and use. Simply heat them until red (more than 400C) to soften (anneal) them.

[Phil C]

They did the job with the old banjos, but will they with the new? If they do the job, what's all this spring washer, thrust washer stuff about?  Phil

[KEV441]

The spring washer is from inside the rocker box. Thackery washer I thinck its called.

  Kev

[Phil C]

You mean I didn't need it?

[idie]

I think as has been said you most likely have all the rocker spindle washers. The Thackery washer takes up the side play and the plain washer is a bearing surface. Use the copper washers heat them up to red or they give a  green glow to the flame and drop them in water. This will soften them.

[Phil C]

So just use two (annealed) copper washers and forget the rest because they go inside, not outside, the rocker cover? Am I understanding this right?  Phil

[Blackthou]

Hi Phil,

Before I got to the end of the thread, I'd hoped the replies would be as Idie said; 2 copper washers, heat to cherry red (with your new blow torch or the gas ring on the cooker) and plunge into water. There's more than a good chance your originals would still be serviceable if annealed. Lap the banjo faces on fine emery/flat surface as an added extra to remove any manufacturing burrs and improve the seal.

As others have said re the rest, rocker box. I'm sure you could return them.

Keep up the good work and the interesting posts. Look forward to them.

[Phil C]

Okay, thanks very much everyone, much appreciated.  Phil.
PS  By the way, if you think I ask a lot of questions now, just wait until, one day, I eventually pluck up the courage to go into the rocker box and beyond!

[Blackthou]

Looking forward to it. It's how we learn and why we are all on a forum. It keeps them alive too.

There's nothing worse than a forum where the posts are days - or longer, between.

[morven21]

D'accord!