Small parts ie washers

[Millrat]

I am ordering misc. small parts from VB. I can understand the nuts that go with the threaded parts but is it necessary to order the flat washers or can those be gotten cheaper at the hardware store. My car is a driver so really looking for function...

 

[RickB]

Most likely cheaper even if you go with brass or stainless washers, not to mention regular steel.
There are many places where I have opted to use stainless or brass, just to reduce the number of things that could possibly rust.

 

[equiprx]

Depends on where you want to go with the restoration and what kind of car it is. There are some cars that have unique flat washers that generic ones would stand out under a concourse scrutineering. If they are just flat and not thicker or thinner than the generic, than there is no reason to replace with expensive ones. One of my old Italian cars used locking flat washers with flat edges. In my business, which is restoring scientific instruments, I recycle all the hardware I can from scrapped units and upgrade with stainless where possible. No extra points for using original parts in these restorations.

 

[Millrat]

This was my thought. Stainless seems the best investment and we happen to have a new farm store opening with a huge fastener dept. I am not well enough aquainted with the parts yet to know the oddball stuff from what I can get off the shelf. I am sure that I will be though

 

[Boink]

Seems like "Winks Hardware" in SE Portland has nearly anything anyone could want. Just bring something along with your explanation, and they'll trot you back into the stacks. They've got anything.

 

[Millrat]

Seems like "Winks Hardware" in SE Portland has nearly anything anyone could want. Just bring something along with your explanation, and they'll trot you back into the stacks. They've got anything.

I get to Portland often enough to check this out . Where in SE?

 

[Boink]

Seems like "Winks Hardware" in SE Portland has nearly anything anyone could want. Just bring something along with your explanation, and they'll trot you back into the stacks. They've got anything.

I get to Portland often enough to check this out . Where in SE?

Can't remember exactly, but the near SE area (close to river). I know you'll find them on-line, but I'm going to guess near Hawthorne and Grand... very close in. It's probably the best hardware store for small bits I've ever seen. You go in and take a number, then explain what you need and they take you back (because they don't let people wonder through the stacks and stacks of stuff). Parkrose Hardware in far NW Portland is good too (and they let you paw through everything). Winks has very knowledgeable people.

 

[RichBall]

As mentioned try to find a fastener house near you. They should have everything (fine or course thread) you need at better prices. Most major sized cities have one if not several. I know that there is one in Eugene, if you get there more often than Portland.

Here is a list of the fasteners that BMC used along with the old BMC part numbers. Not of a lot of use, but will give you a description range of sizes that were used.

https://www.healey6.com/bulletins/BMC%20Std%20Parts%20Fasteners.pdf

 

[RickB]

Oh - this reminds me that Fastenal called and said my bolt arrived - I need to pick it up on my way home.
Next power outage I'll have at least one working generator.
(Currently have two non working 4K watt generators in the shed)

 

[Millrat]

[

"Here is a list of the fasteners that BMC used along with the old BMC part numbers. Not of a lot of use, but will give you a description range of sizes that were used."

Thanks for the link. I am finding that all the info I can get is still not enough!

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Erik, they'll probably have some good copper crush washers at that place as well