'54 Ford serrated hood washers

GLAmes

GLAmes

Senior Member
Does anyone have a source for the serrated washers used to mount the hood to the spring assy? The parts manual shows Washer 5/16 part #351360-S. I had no trouble finding the wave washers because thy have a lot of applications.
 
Those serrated washers (along with 5/16" bolts) were also used on the '55 car door and hood and fender mounts at some body plants where there was enough left-over bolts and washers from the previous year models.
In '55 and '56, those serrated washers were only used along with a nut to mount the hood hinge to the cowl (4 required per side). In '55/56, the doors hood and fenders used the new serrated 5/16" washer/bolts that look like a flying saucer.
Once the body plant(s) received shipments of the flying saucer bolts during the '55 model year, they quit using the serrated washers and separate 5/16" bolts and substituting them for the flying saucer bolts (except kept using the serrated washers for hood-hinge to cowl mounting only).
As far as I know, the separate serrated washers are not reproduced by anyone, but you can get semi-duplicate repro's of the flying saucer bolts from some of the repro parts suppliers and use them instead of the separate washers and bolts, but it wouldn't be period correct on a '54 Ford. Also the repro flying saucer bolts don't look exactly like the originals.
 
Daves55Sedan said:
Those serrated washers (along with 5/16" bolts) were also used on the '55 car door and hood and fender mounts at some body plants where there was enough left-over bolts and washers from the previous year models.
In '55 and '56, those serrated washers were only used along with a nut to mount the hood hinge to the cowl (4 required per side). In '55/56, the doors hood and fenders used the new serrated 5/16" washer/bolts that look like a flying saucer.
Once the body plant(s) received shipments of the flying saucer bolts during the '55 model year, they quit using the serrated washers and separate 5/16" bolts and substituting them for the flying saucer bolts (except kept using the serrated washers for hood-hinge to cowl mounting only).
As far as I know, the separate serrated washers are not reproduced by anyone, but you can get semi-duplicate repro's of the flying saucer bolts from some of the repro parts suppliers and use them instead of the separate washers and bolts, but it wouldn't be period correct on a '54 Ford. Also the repro flying saucer bolts don't look exactly like the originals.
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So these replace the early style bolts ? https://www.ebay.com/itm/2544853256...FI7E62%2B2IfKQ%3D%3D|ampid:PL_CLK|clp:2047675
 
JeffB2 said:
So these replace the early style bolts ?
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Maybe, but you'd need to be sure they have the right thread and proper bolt length for the application.
In most cases, Fomoco used the fine thread 5/16" bolts for the doors and fenders. These offered on e-bay look like the coarse thread version.
Also, be careful NOT TO EXCEED the length of the bolt you are replacing. The hinge-to-hood bolts are SHORTER than the door and fender bolts. If you tried to use the longer bolts from a fender or door hinge, the bottom of the bolt will hit the bottom skin of the hood and put a big dent in it.
 
Fomoco made several variations of these bolts in '55/56
The longest ones with hole guide on the end of the bolt were used in door hinge and fender mounting applications.
Another type with same length as above except without the hole-guide was used on the two forwardmost hood-to-hood hinge mounting
A shorter bolt with hole-guide was used on rearward most hood-to-hood hinge and also radiator-to-support bracket mounting.
There was also a short bolt like the one above except without hole-guide used in various places such as some of the radiator air deflector mounting.
These were always 5/16" usually with fine thread. In rare cases, I have seen the coarse thread used but only in very limited applications and may have been used in later years of the same flying saucer design. All the speed-nuts I have ever seen used on '55/56 cars for the flying saucer bolts were of the fine-thread variety.
 
Being period correct isn't as important to me as correct function. They are supposed to pinch between the shoulder of the bolt and the inside of the hood to allow the hinge to move freely on the bolt's shoulder. I believe there is thickness criteria as well. I found some 5/16 fender washers at the local hardware store that are slightly thicker and the hole is slightly larger. I bought more than I need and plan on experimenting with fabricating them to work but would much rather just buy them. It seems strange to me that the bolts and the wave washers are relatively easy to find but not the serrated washers.
 
It seems strange to me that the bolts and the wave washers are relatively easy to find but not the serrated washers.
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You need to look for an AUTOMOTIVE PAINT SUPPLY house in your area. They will carry a large selection of fasteners and should be able to order what you need.

HOME DEPOT and its CHI-COM hardware ain't gonna cut it.
 
I ended up making some. A hammer, an anvil and a Dremel. Flattened the fender washers a little which closed up the hole and cut some crosshatch into them. Not perfect, but they will work.
 
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The OD is too small, the washer has to grip the hood outside the adjustment slots. Good find, nonethelest.
 
A tempered belleville washer may be just as good as a serrated one about arresting movement. This link has all sorts of lock washers.
https://www.mcmaster.com/serrated-lock-washers/

Nord locks are a two washer locking system that is sometimes used instead of split lock washers and star locks. They don't come in large area sizes like belleville washers do.
 
I have the AMK Ford fastener book. I looked up the part number you provided and it says it is a special washer but does not mention serrations. it is a 5/16 flat washer, ID .328 OD .750 and the thickness is .031. There is no illustration of the part. I hope that helps
 
Most Ford chassis parts catalogs have a listing of fasteners in the front section. Many are illustrated but not all.
 
cokefirst said:
I have the AMK Ford fastener book. I looked up the part number you provided and it says it is a special washer but does not mention serrations. it is a 5/16 flat washer, ID .328 OD .750 and the thickness is .031. There is no illustration of the part. I hope that helps
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Thanks, but I have one original washer and it is in fact serrated. I think the three I made will do the job.
 
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