For those of us (in particular me) who wanted to find out more on the Battery Terminal Washers discussed here, I decided to see what I could find. Of course trying to find original Factory washers (374043-S) would be next to impossible, so I set my sights on NOS Ford Service Part ones (C1AZ-10A717-A). I found only one pack, and ordered it ; it was delivered yesterday (04/23/2025).
Inside the package was a small (3-3/4?{ x 4-1/2?), early 60?s type (?tannish? with red lettering) small parts envelope. However, unlike most small parts envelopes of the 60?s, this was of very heavy paper (at least twice as thick as ?normal?), and instead of the usual gummed flap closing the envelope, there was no flap, and instead, the two sides of the top of the envelope were held together with some sort of adhesive (presumably to prevent or at least retard the evaporation and/ or leakage of the oil that impregnated the felt washers). Remember, the Service Part Washers were ?Oil Impregnated? while the Factory washers were dry, and had to be saturated ?with M-7C12 Rust Preventive Before Installing Washer to Terminal Post??. This was obviously an early 60?s envelope due to the tan/red coloring as opposed to the later blue/gray coloring.
Inside the envelope were two, Dark Gray to Black felt washers. The washers were 1-5/16 OD, 5/8? ID, and had a thickness if 5/16?. Note tha5t the thickness is quite a bit more than the Factory 1/8? (before being saturated). Possibly this is because the felt washer absorbed the oil and expanded in thickness (although expanding more than double seems like a lot), or Ford decided that the Service Parts should be thicker. Either way, that is what they are.
Hope this helps,
Bob
