Cam Cover Install Question

FWIW on my 1982 308GTSI 2v I use flat and spring washer. Also only use KlingerSil gasket (green) with no sealant other than next to the cam seals. Torque half way then full torque. Others may chime in......

 

Why would you?

 

On the parts catalog it just say washer but it didn’t say what kind.

 

Car manufacturers do not use unneeded parts. Analyze why the washer(s) are there and install what is needed.

 

Use Ferrari part # 11197771

 

The whole purpose of spring washers is to eliminate the need of a flat washer. The purpose of using a flat washer with regular lock washers is to prevent the sharp locking tangs from marring the engine surface.

 

Ensure little or no paint below the washer and use only wave spring washer.

Best, Peter

 

All the washers under my acorns are plain flat. I guess someone decided wave washers weren't something they liked, at some point... guess I'll create another shopping list.

 

I think using the spring or wavy washer is better than a flat washer because at least there’s no chance for the A corn nut to get loose.

 

A spring washer will damage the soft cam cover. Use a wave washer or alternatively a conic washer. A flat washer does not make any sense.

Best, Peter

 

I just installed my covers recently on my 1985 308 GTS QV in which I just used a flat washer with chrome acorn nuts. As far as the valve cover gaskets, I purchased the green gaskets with the red silicon beads with no sealant on the other side except for the cam seals and torque nuts to spec...

 

I don't think any type of lock/spring washer is required for the valve cover. It came from the factor with a flat washer.

 

I very much doubt that. Most, if not all, nuts on classic Ferrari engines are locked. Either by nylon lock nuts or by using wavy or spring washers (Spring washers often in combination with a flat washer to protect the aluminum). Even my Dino from 1969 have wavy washers on the cam covers. This is a snip from the original Italian parts book item#13.

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login



Note that there is often incorrect text and numbers in Ferrari's parts books caused by sloppy translation or simple negligence.

I guess the cam covers on our old cars have been removed several times over the last many decades and the original hardware might be long gone. We need some of the very experienced Ferrari mechanics to chime in here.

Best, Peter

 

My manual shows a flat washer and self locking nut.
Image Unavailable, Please Login


11 100044 14 Dado autobloccante Selflocking nut
12 11197771 14 Rondella Washer

 

I believe your manual is showing a domed nut and saying something else in the text in a mixture of Italian and English. These manuals are not always to be trusted. That's what makes Ferrari wrenching so interesting.

Best, Peter

 

This is the 512BBi parts manual from Maranello Parts UK:

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I'm happy to install whatever washer should be there, and be informed if what I have isn't right. But I think it's worth noting that between misguided previous owners + dubious factory materials (let's not pretend the factory reference materials are perfect), one shouldn't be dinged for not knowing which particular washer should be installed. If my car has flats, and the illustration shows... blurry something... I'm not exactly clairvoyant.

 

For me the term "spring" washer means the wavy or conical spring steel type. The others are internal and external star and split lock washers. At least that's how I've always categorized them. With a spring washer you don't need a flat washer for protection as you do with the regular tabbed lock washers. The wave type spring washer works pretty much just like a flat washer only better since they will act as a lock washer and keep the nut secure.

 

All the lock washers we are discussing here are made by spring steel, hence they are all generally named as spring washers amongst "ordinary" amateur consumers. But the first one showed on the pictures below is the most common lock washer and is nearly always just named as a "spring" washer (Google is your friend).

Best, Peter

Mostly named "Spring Washer" in my region:

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Mostly named Conical / Belleville Washer

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Mostly named Wave / Wavy washer

Image Unavailable, Please Login

Mostly named "Star" washer (Not used on our engines)

Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The first one is usually called split washer or lock washer

 

I have often wondered which one will exert the most "spring" or resistance under a nut.

I'm thinking the split ring or Belleville may offer more resistance than the wavy washer. However, the star does offer some resistance as well as having sharp corners to bite into the metal. Just wondering.