Most of the nylon fender washers holding my engine bay insulation need to be replaced. The only source I can find is this slightly smaller washer (1.25" vs 1.375") from Amazon:
Amazon.com: Hard-to-Find Fastener 014973171223 Specialty Nylon Washers,... (https://www.amazon.com/Hard-Find-Fastener-014973171223-Specialty/dp/B00L1IYRX6/ref=sr_1_15?keywords=nylon+washer&qid=1553189804&s=gateway&sr=8-15)
They cost about $0.95 each and I need about 50. Does anyone know of a better, less expensive, source? And could I just use metal fender washers instead?
Thanks in advance.
Get nails with big nylon washers for foam insulation at HD. Pull the nails, use screws
Reused most of mine,get some stainless from Lowes.
At least some of the large plastic washers used on nails are made from polypropylene which might not hold up to the heat of the engine compartment. I also checked McMaster and Fastenal online, but no luck.
Why did they use nylon in the first place? Just to avoid corrosion or is there some other reason. Certainly, metal washers would be better to hold the blankets in place and would be much cheaper. For example, these stainless washers are only about $0.13 each.
Amazon.com: 1/4" Stainless Fender Washer, 1-1/4" Outside Diameter, (100... (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075VBTQ6Y/ref=sspa_dk_detail_0?pd_rd_i=B076ZS4CR5&pd_rd_w=IQJ3E&pf_rd_p=80559f3c-f83b-49c1-8a72-40f936e9df7a&pd_rd_wg=9WXhn&pf_rd_r=9RHH83X3H421C4TKP34R&pd_rd_r=162d5d05-4c10-11e9-96ba-09dd5d4e5c18&th=1)
George, go with the stainless and forget about it!
I can't think of any reason not to use stainless washers, but I would certainly like to learn why not if someone can provide the answer. Stainless would be my first choice.
SS fender washers are an excellent choice.
I use these
Round Washers | AGM Industries (https://agmind.com/product/round-washers/)
They do come in stainless steel, galvanized, and aluminum
The square ones work great also.
Hunt around for the best price as I have no stock in this outfit.
Mike
George here you go. Almost half the price from Amazon.
0.250 x 1.250 x 0.062 Nylon Specialty Nylon Washers (https://www.fastenerline.com/nylon-washers/9029-0250-x-1250-x-0062-nylon-specialty-nylon-washers.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw7MzkBRAGEiwAkOXexE6r2uyV9QrT8sxibTpni5eOmGU1HL7TeUxK8eWNtTuyx59XSMnqrRoCE3YQAvD_BwE)
Check the stainless fender washers from ebay: stainless fender washers | eBay (https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2334524.m570.l1313.TR1.TRC0.A0.H0.Xstainless+fender+washers.TRS0&_nkw=stainless+fender+washers&_sacat=0&LH_TitleDesc=0&rmvSB=true&_osacat=0&_odkw=132521456791+) . All sizes up to at least 2" diameter.
I buy all my stainless from ebay suppliers. Most orders are here in two days with New York orders only one more day. Excellent quality and price. Stainless fasteners are cheaper than hardware store zinc stuff. Generally, the stainless from a ebay order is cheaper than the gas to drive to town and back.
Pierce
I love this forum! Thanks for all the suggestions.
g
At the risk being accused of "overthinking" these washers, I got to wondering why they would use nylon in the first place. They are certainly more expensive and less durable than metal washers. Could it be that metal washers abrade the thermal blanket over time? I must say that mine is in remarkable good condition given its age, except of course for the washers.
George,
If the blanket was moving then yes it would cause the blanket cover to fray. Those blankets are fastened down in a way to would be unlikely for the blankets to move around. In power plant business the extreme heat would have more effect on the cover material than the washers, clips, and tie wire.
Mike
Not to interrupt a good stainless washer--But the nylon washers are there for a reason-- if you have an engine fire the washers are suppose to melt and let the blanket drop down and cover the engine to help control the fire.
Just my 2 cents worth
Chris
Did the 99's and newer come with the blanket?Our 96 had the black glued on stuff that was falling apart and it had the nylon
washers,next time somebody takes the tour of Foretravel would be a good question.
My guess is heat transfer. The nylon will not transfer the engine room heat to the screw and then the wood
When I replaced the crumbling, heavy black foam I first applied a good 3M spray adhesive and, being a bit paranoid, I also used the nylon fasteners. I had to supplement broken nylon washers with stainless fender washers but I did put them on over away from the engine, in the access door area on the driver's side. That was about three years ago and things are still good.
I also did the generator compartment the same way.
Here are the generator compartment pictures. Couldn't find them before.
Pictures were with the cart you see in the last photo. It was the perfect height for sliding the generator in or out.
Cart was my design about 10 years ago that I tried to market with a partner.
Versatile, many different configurations done by simply changing parts around.
A hand cart, a tow behind an ATV, or snowmobile, or lawn tractor. Mounts in the receiver of a vehicle, wheels or skis
Good for hauling carcass, wood, water, or whatever.
Sales never got off the ground. Too much $$$
I got 50 aluminum stamping blanks and drilled holes in them that were sized for the screws.
The idea that nylon was used for fire suppression has merit, but all would have to melt to allow the blanket to drop. IMO
And, even then, all the screw heads would have to release the fabric/material. Can't see that happening. Guess you could make the hole in the material larger than the screw heads and secure it with the nylon washers. But, would a fire/heat source release all of the nylon washers quickly enough and at the same time to orchestrate a synchronized release.
If the washers melted and did allow the blanket to drop down, it's going to be way too late as the fire has already spread to the FG in the rear quarter.
Pierce
Nice sanitary installation Nitehawk! What LED's did you use and how long have they been in place. I have been unable to find some that have the specs for high temperature conditions found in the engine compartment, though maybe outdoor rated ones may do...
Don
Sorry, Don. Got the LEDs of the internet (Amazon) about four years ago. Adhesive backed, about $17 for 16' strip, 12V and sealed for outdoor use. Actually, I used the same LED light strips inside the coach when I removed the fluorescent bulbs and ballasts. (Shoe Goo here also!)
Being a bit anal I also applied Shoe Goo about every 6" just to make sure the light strip stayed put. Good thing, too. The original adhesive let go in the engine heat but the Shoe Goo keeps things in place.
I turn the lights on at night when we are camped in the woods. I left the wiring for the 12V bulb fixture connected up but took the bulb out of the socket but leave it in the housing. This left me an optional light in the event of the LEDs failing and I use the existing fixture on/off switch.
I also doubled up on the LED light strips on the back side of my air cleaner housing so it was easier to locate my engine oil dipstick hole.
Thanks for the compliment. I do hear that a lot whenever I open the louvered door on the driver's side and turn on the lights to show folks the engine compartment. They can't get over how clean it is even tho 30 years old.
Try Fastenal: Flat Washers | Fastenal (https://www.fastenal.com/product/fasteners/washers/flat-washers/600097?categoryId=600097&level=3&query=nylon%2Bwashers&isExpanded=true&productFamilyId=26295)
$21.95 for 50
RMP Stamping Blanks, 1.5" Round, Aluminum .032" (20 Ga.) (https://www.rmpstore.com/RMP-Stamping-Blanks-15-Round-Aluminum-032-20-Ga_p_63.html)