CA77 Head Sealing Washers?

GeorgeP1111 · Post by **GeorgeP1111** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:19 pm

When I took off the head on my CA77 the 4 corner studs had the copper washers, the 4 center had the steel ones, all studs had acorn nuts. The copper washers are no longer available, but the 90441-286-000 WASHER, SEAL (8mm) still are. So I ordered and received 8 of the sealing washers and they are the steel ones.

I have read LM's comments (from many moons ago) on how Honda had changed to the 4x4 washer arrangement with 4 flat nuts in 1967 so I get all that. I guess I'm surprised that a "Sealing" washer is simply a thick steel washer. I can understand the copper washers called sealing, but what is sealing about a steel washer (I was expecting aluminum)? And... if the 4 corner studs require the copper washers to "seal", how come the parts book shows all 8 using the Steel Washer number, and will the steel washers.... seal? These are not zinc plated copper washers, they are magnetic.

tnx
George
65+ CA77

48lesco · Post by **48lesco** » Sat Mar 12, 2011 5:51 pm

George - I just used those on my CB77. I was a little surprised too that they were steel, but they're a soft steel and work fine - 250 miles and no leaks. All 8 do need to seal, they are all open to oil in the head. The thickness is important too so that the acorns don't bottom out.

GeorgeP1111 · Post by **GeorgeP1111** » Sun Mar 13, 2011 9:29 am

48lesco wrote:250 miles and no leaks.

Sounds good to me, thanks for the input.

George

Jethro · Post by **Jethro** » Wed Mar 16, 2011 10:03 pm

Just to make it known, you can anneal the copper washers by heating them up until they glow red then drop them in a container of cool water and they are just as good as new ones.

Just want to help save you guys some $$$$$:)

Jethro

GeorgeP1111 · Post by **GeorgeP1111** » Thu Mar 17, 2011 7:28 am

Jethro wrote:Just to make it known, you can anneal the copper washers by heating them up until they glow red then drop them in a container of cool water and they are just as good as new ones.
Just want to help save you guys some $$$$$:)
Jethro

That sounds like a fun idea. I have 4 used copper washers, I'll give it a try today.

tnx
George

sohel951 · Post by **sohel951** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 9:27 am

I can understand the copper washers called sealing, but what is sealing about a steel washer (I was expecting aluminum)? And... if the 4 corner studs require the copper washers to "seal", how come the parts book shows all 8 using the Steel Washer number, and will the steel washers.... seal? These are not zinc plated copper washers, they are magnetic.

Photo Restoration

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Sun Mar 27, 2011 9:53 am

The parts books and fiche for these old engines are not always correct as to the info they offer.
Things like screws/washers/nuts were changed over the years and the person assigned to upgrade the listing wasn't always correct with his info.
When these engines were in the early years (1958/1961) the engine actually used 10 copper sealing washers and cap nuts.
The first ones did use washers which looked copper then at some point they were zinc plated.
Like GEORGE said earlier on this subject I made comment on these parts.
I looked at my parts books and fiche for these engines and looks like none of then agree as to what was used over the years. (depends on the year of issue of the books/fiche)
I do recommend ya use the copper/zinc washers at the 4 corners and not to worry about the 4 center ones or the 2 at he lower case. ........lm

sohel951 wrote:I can understand the copper washers called sealing, but what is sealing about a steel washer (I was expecting aluminum)? And... if the 4 corner studs require the copper washers to "seal", how come the parts book shows all 8 using the Steel Washer number, and will the steel washers.... seal? These are not zinc plated copper washers, they are magnetic.

Photo Restoration