Judges!!!?? 1947 WL Head Bolt finish with Aluminum heads

[kehughes]

Building a '47 WL. Were the head bolts Cad or Parker when using aluminum heads? I also planned on keeping the heads natural. I think some years were painted black? Were '47 aluminum heads natural?


thanks

[alanc48]

Building a '47 WL. Were the head bolts Cad or Parker when using aluminum heads? I also planned on keeping the heads natural. I think some years were painted black? Were '47 aluminum heads natural?


thanks

I've heard that painting the aluminum heads will overheat them.

[vph-d]

Weren't all/most of the WLA heads painted? Palmer is unsure about painted or bare for 47 WLs.
VPH-D

[alanc48]

Weren't all/most of the WLA heads painted? Palmer is unsure about painted or bare for 47 WLs.
VPH-D

Painting the iron ones is fine, for aluminum I've heard glass beading or sandblasting only. Painted aluminum gets too hot and can warp the heads.

[Rubone]

Weren't all/most of the WLA heads painted?

Yes, most production WLAs had black painted heads as per military specs. So did all civilian production through '46. I have never seen an original '47 WL with painted heads, but that is just me. Maybe someone has an early OP '47 WL out there.
Robbie

[alanc48]

Yes, most production WLAs had black painted heads as per military specs. So did all civilian production through '46. I have never seen an original '47 WL with painted heads, but that is just me. Maybe someone has an early OP '47 WL out there.
Robbie

Weren't WLA's low compression and have iron heads?

[Erdos]

Natural aluminum heads with parkerized bolts is correct. My 47 is an AMCA winners circle bike with those finishings.

[alanc48]

I just did a search and found this http://www.antiquemotorcycle.org/bbo...2-wla&p=133533 guess they never came with cast iron heads according to Robbie

[Rubone]

Weren't WLA's low compression and have iron heads?

No, they were low compression and had Aluminum heads, marked with the number 5 on the outside right edge.
The engine on the far right in this picture has NOS WLA heads on it with factory paint.

[Rubone]

Michael Paquette of Worsham castle leather has an original '47 WL Vin 166* with black painted heads. He believes it is original and is in contact with Bruce Palmer about it.

[kehughes]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'll go with natural heads and parkerized head bolts/washers.