I have a technical question. I have easy access to copper and brass washers, both of which are commonly used as crush or seal washers in heavy equipment maintenance. I do not have easy access to aluminum crush washers, that is to say the ones called out for use on old Wings. Is there any reason why one could not just substitute a copper or brass crush washer for an aluminum one when installing a new water pump? I know copper crush washers are available for use on the brake line fittings. Electrolysis issues occurred to me but I am not smart enough to figure out electrolysis in an engine environment with heat, oil and coolant all mixing about.
Anyone know the answer? If not, anyone have an opinion? Ha, that should get a response!
Brass or Copper Crush Washers
Moderators: CYBORG, Oldewing, robin1731, Forum Moderators
- Kroosa
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 373
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:53 pm
- Location: Vaughn, Washington
Brass or Copper Crush Washers
Ken R.
2013 BMW K1600 GTL
2013 CB1100
Several 75 & 76 GL1000's,
including a few LTD's, &
other early Hondas.
2013 BMW K1600 GTL
2013 CB1100
Several 75 & 76 GL1000's,
including a few LTD's, &
other early Hondas.
- CYBORG
- Moderator
- Posts: 24552
- Joined: Mon Jan 14, 2008 12:52 pm
- Location: Muskegon mich
Re: Brass or Copper Crush Washers
never thought much about it. if you have the proper size copper, i would consider them over the brass
1978 custom GL1000
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
1977 custom with 1200 engine
1985 gl1200
- Roady
- Member Relations &_Graphics
- Posts: 11957
- Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2007 2:35 pm
- Location: Port St. John, FL
Re: Brass or Copper Crush Washers
You should get a set of the 3 alum. washers with either the pump or seal kit (not sure which one). I would just use those.
As you thought ... there might be a problem with dissimilar metals.
As you thought ... there might be a problem with dissimilar metals.
- robin1731
- Membership Admin
- Posts: 21729
- Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
- Location: Decatur, Indiana
Re: Brass or Copper Crush Washers
Maybe but we use copper washers on the brake lines. With aluminum bodies and steel banjo's. And you are using steel bolts to hold the aluminum water pump on. The only thing I wouldn't be sure about is the copper washer in the coolant. Like Cyborg I would choose copper over the brass. Copper is a bit softer and it is after all being used as a crush washer with a bolt that is only torques to 8-9ft-lbs.Roady wrote:snip............
As you thought ... there might be a problem with dissimilar metals.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
- scootsx2
- True Blue Steel Biker
- Posts: 2485
- Joined: Mon Jun 07, 2010 12:52 pm
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri USA
Re: Brass or Copper Crush Washers
When I replaced the brake lines on my sidecar outfit this past winter, I found copper crush washers had been used with the old lines. The new lines came with aluminum crush washers.
1975 GL1000 Sidecar Outfit
1982 CX500-based Trident ex-Police Trike
2001 GL1800 MotorTrike
2006 Vespa LX150
1956 Francis-Barnett Falcon 74
195x Solex 1700
196x Solex 2200
St. Louis, MO
The dude abides.
Brothers of the Third Wheel - Gateway Chapter http://www.btw-trikers.org
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club http://www.vjmc.org
Francis-Barnett Owners Club http://www.francis-barnett.co.uk/
Antique Motorcycle Club of America http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/
Vintage Motor Cycle Club http://www.vmcc.net
British Motorcycle Charitable Trust http://www.bmct.org/
VeloSolex Club UK http://www.velosolexclubuk.com/
1982 CX500-based Trident ex-Police Trike
2001 GL1800 MotorTrike
2006 Vespa LX150
1956 Francis-Barnett Falcon 74
195x Solex 1700
196x Solex 2200
St. Louis, MO
The dude abides.
Brothers of the Third Wheel - Gateway Chapter http://www.btw-trikers.org
Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club http://www.vjmc.org
Francis-Barnett Owners Club http://www.francis-barnett.co.uk/
Antique Motorcycle Club of America http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/
Vintage Motor Cycle Club http://www.vmcc.net
British Motorcycle Charitable Trust http://www.bmct.org/
VeloSolex Club UK http://www.velosolexclubuk.com/
- Kroosa
- Titanium Member
- Posts: 373
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 6:53 pm
- Location: Vaughn, Washington
Re: Brass or Copper Crush Washers
Hmmm. Having trouble now locating the correct size in copper. Lotsa brass. If I have no joy in copper I will just order the aluminum ones from Partzilla, they sell them separately. I need to make a parts order anyway and can easily justify an add on. This is simply not something that I want to take chances with.
Ken R.
2013 BMW K1600 GTL
2013 CB1100
Several 75 & 76 GL1000's,
including a few LTD's, &
other early Hondas.
2013 BMW K1600 GTL
2013 CB1100
Several 75 & 76 GL1000's,
including a few LTD's, &
other early Hondas.
-
- Similar Topics
- Replies
- Views
- Last post
-
- 5 Replies
- 262 Views
-
Last post by rcmatt007
-
- 14 Replies
- 798 Views
-
Last post by BlueThunder
-
- 10 Replies
- 709 Views
-
Last post by sphen
-
- 9 Replies
- 617 Views
-
Last post by PDub
-
- 17 Replies
- 784 Views
-
Last post by salukispeed