'47 fuel pump insulators

Posted by Dave Kenney On 2010/3/29 16:06:39

The fuel pump on my '47 Super Clipper has two insulator sleeves in the bolt holes, an approx. 1/8" gasket between pump and engine block and two non metal washers all presumably to insulate the pump from heat. The bolts are drilled for safety wire to keep the bolts tight since the specified torque on the bolts to hold the pump in place is quite low. My question is; the fibre non metal washers are broken so in the absence of the washers would it be acceptable to use lock washers on the bolts and snug them up at a higher ft/lbs.? I have no idea where to find new washers of the type used except that Max Merrit has a kit. At $15 I think this is exorbitant and besides I don't need the sleeves. I would prefer a less expensive alternative, possibly a hard nylon washer etc.. Any ideas or should I just install lock washers with more torque on the bolts and not worry about the insulator washers?