New Athena Copper washers or Anneal the old OEM ones ?

So, Im about to put my crank case back together and there are 10 copper washers that go under the bolts that hold the crank shaft & bearings.

My gasket kit (Athena) came with new copper washers but theyre not quite as thick as the OEM Honda ones.

So....

Am I ok to use the Athena washers or should I anneal and sand the old ones and re use ?

 

I like sticking to oem stuff... if the difference is not big I would sand the oem ones and re-use.

 

Yea, maybe I'll anneal and sand the OEM

 

I have never reused a copper washer, but I'm not saying it can't be done. Athena is a very reputable company, been around a long time. I would just measure the depth of the threads the bolt is going to thread into and if it is deep enough to allow the thinner washers, I personally wouldn't see an issue. Long story short, I would use the new ones and not waste the time monkeying around with the old ones.

 

One vote OEM, One Vote New

Well, I've already Annealed them and sanded the OEM ones, so I have a choice to make I guess, the OEM are .5MM thicker than the Athena ones.

 

Honda is very good about giving extra depth of threads. Maybe before gooping up the bolts, run one down and see if it still wants to bottom out without a washer. If so, use a new one and be done with it.

 

I vote any of the above.

 

Just mic the thread depth, done. I'm not going to say this is gospel, but I'm pretty sure the intention of copper washers is for one time use....not that it means shit, once you get the engine sealed up. I seriously doubt that Honda cut those threads so precisely that 1 or 2mm (at the most) is going to make any difference. Actually, I can't believe we are even having this conversation, but that's just me being my douchey self. Apologies in advance.

 

Smart man.

 

Well, as it happens, I trial fitted the Athena ones and theyre too large in diameter to properly seat in the recessed/machined seats on the case and the holes in them are bigger than the OEM so the bolt flange doesnt seat on much either.

So.....

I guess im using the OEM ones that have been annealed and sanded -- at least for those 10 washers that are used around the Crank area. Rest of the Athena ones are ok.