31 cast steel oil pump finish

[xofrevlis]

I have started refurbishing a 31VL oil pump. After some cleaning, I think there might be a trace of a silver finish on the casting body. I read Steve Slocombe's notes about finish on this part and it is described as cast steel. Was there any finish on the pump? Anything to prevent corrosion? Thanks Wayne

[Chris Haynes]

I hope this helps. Looks like bare cast iron to me.

[Steve Slocombe]

Interesting factory photo Chris. With the cast iron oil pump and the Y-manifold cylinders this can only be a 1933 VLD motor. You can see it has the 1933 style raised throttle lever, and the carb-to-manifold screw and generator bolts have not yet got the slots. It has the earlier head bolt washers, lock washers under the base stud nuts, and they have not stinted on the cadmium finish. But it does not have the one-year 1933 oil pump with the adjuster screw for the chain oiler, so probably a prototype for the photos. I like the cork where the vent pipe goes in to the breather pocket cover.

[xofrevlis]

Thanks for the photo. Bare casting it will be.
Wayne