Head stud washers.
 

My engine came wuth no washers.

I think I have read they should have and should be hardened.

I guess to stop the nut points diigging and false torque readings?

Is this correct for cast iron heads,?.

Not sure where I can get hardened washers from, maybe heat some soft ones and dunk them in oil?

Re: Head stud washers.
 

I don't know about studs, but I got my hardened washers for my 8BA with headbolts from "GOSFAST" on here. They were perfect. I have to believe he has something similar for studs.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

Only used with aluminum heads, not on cast iron

Re: Head stud washers.
 

From factory there where no washers on either studs or bolts.
The nuts should be shamfered a bit to help from digging into the heads.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

Hey pooch,
You can use hard washers on cast iron heads, but I do not know of any Ford engine that came stock with them.
Hard washers are prudent to use with alum heads and other parts, as the hard nuts will do damage to alum when torqued.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

OK thanks all, I assumed there should be washers, but if not ... will let it be,

Light chamfer sounds good to me to get more correct torque reading.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

Correct, the washers we use work well with either bolts or studs, we've been using them for years now on the SBC 100% stock-appearing builds. They have a very slight chamfer to clear the small radius under the head bolts, can go either way when using studs.

They are almost not noticeable when installed (see photo below).

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. It is much better to use them between the fasteners and the castings, they really help save the bolt/nut surfaces. Here's a couple shots of some bolts/washers for the Flatheads.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

Never use studs, Harden washers can be had at most auto supply stores as #8 washers, for alum heads.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

Also Pooch, if you decide to use washers I wouldn't attempt to harden them myself. The ability to harden a metal depends on the material it is made from and most washers are not the correct composition.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

I've never used bolts in any of the FH engines that I have built or had built. My personal preference has always been to use studs. When I removed the original aluminum 21 stud heads from my avatar 35 fordor sedan and replaced them with cast iron heads, I still used the original hardened washers because all the studs were just a tad bit too long w/o the washers. Plus, I believe the hardened washers do offer some advantages in achieving the correct torque on head nuts.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

Same here, I am always anxious doing the last torquing on a 70 year old cast iron thread .

Much prefer studs.

I used studs in the exhaust manifold holes of my 21 studder for same reason.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

My 42 originally had what looked like brass nuts and no washers. I replaced the nuts with what said was cadmium plated nuts, I assume steel.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

Gofast,

Do you have washers for ford v-8-60?

Thanks Harold

Re: Head stud washers.
 

Hi Harold, I have similar washers for 1/4", 5/16", 3/8", (7/16" pictured), and 1/2".

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Assuming the "60" also uses 7/16" head bolt fasteners, the washers in the photo above are the correct ones. I believe there are only 34 (total) required though??

Re: Head stud washers.
 

Not always good to ASSUME Gary ;), the 60 hp, 17 stud FH engines, use 9/16" hex head nuts with 3/8" - 24 threads for head fasteners.

Re: Head stud washers.
 

Hi John, you're absolutely correct, not always good to "assume" anything.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. That's why I listed all the available size washers I keep around. I can't recall ever assembling a "60", have done the machining for a friend on a few many years ago, but never actually got to assemble one.