Cylinder I.D.

[c.o.]

I got this spare jug with my '48 but it definitely was an orphan part as it doesn't belong on the bike. Can somebody put a year on it for me? It has a tag on it that says '53 to '62. Is this correct? Thanks in advance for any comments.

[Chris Haynes]

October 22 1952 for a Panhead.

[c.o.]

That was quick! Thanks Chris! So am I to assume J (Oct)- 22 (22nd)-2 (52)?

Next question.... Does anybody need this before I throw it on e-bay?

[Chris Haynes]

It could be September or October depending in whether or not they were using the letter i in that year. Something that late in '52 would be for a 1953 machine.
With the amount of broken fins on it I wouldn't expect a lot of bidders. You should also get out the micrometer and see what size it is.

[BigLakeBob]

I may be interested, maybe another picture and would like to know bore size. Thanks, Bob AMCA#6738

[harleytoprock]

Chris, Do you have any documentary proof of this dating method or is this your own interpertation? It seems that also in the auto world , foundrys all dated with different methods. Some used calender dates with letters to identify the month( like you said some used "I" and some didn't) and other crazy methods like Julian dates. Or, even numbered days like day # 198 of year 1952. With the panhead cylinder pictured, the screwed on tag, is easily change daily. But how was the month "J"changed? It looks like its part of the pattern. That would be more difficult to change monthly. Could the "J" be a pattern identification? Could the "J" be the year identification? Why would the year be included on the easily change tag but the month cast into the pattern? "22-2" could be Julian ( 22 week of 1952). It would have been a lot easier if all foundrys just used a plain old date method like " 10-22-52". Just trying to respectfully stir the pot.

[Chris Haynes]

[QUOTE=harleytoprock;106522]Chris, Do you have any documentary proof of this dating method or is this your own interpertation?
I picked up the phone and called Motor Casting Company whe cast the cylinders for H-D. That is their hallmark on the cylinders. That is what they told me.

But how was the month "J"changed? It looks like its part of the pattern. That would be more difficult to change monthly. Could the "J" be a pattern identification? Could the "J" be the year identification? Why would the year be included on the easily change tag but the month cast into the pattern? "22-2" could be Julian ( 22 week of 1952). It would have been a lot easier if all foundrys just used a plain old date method like " 10-22-52". Just trying to respectfully stir the pot.
Stir the pot all you want. It won't change facts. The dats tag was changed daily. In the earlyier years MCC did use a different casting code that they have not been able to decipher for me. I often see numbers like 4-7, 1-13. 7-25 with no letters.

[panz4ever]

harleytoprock...here is a link form another forum. Agrees w/ Chris' answere to the question..

http://www.hydra-glide.com/phpBB3/vi...php?f=5&t=8081

[upsrod]

Chris,
I don't see any broken fins?

[Chris Haynes]

Chris,
I don't see any broken fins?

Perhaps an optical illusion.

[bmh]

Sorry Chris but I have a different theory on these codes. It is basically the same one in use in many industries today. 22-2 would stand for the 22cnd week of a year ending in 2, 1952 in this case as the cylinder markings were changed by 62. The J is the letter that represents the mother used to make the sand mold the part was cast in, since it is fairly obvious that it was not changed. There was really no need to know what day a part was made, for most non-critical parts just the month will do. But on high stress parts ( most notably cylinders and flywheels) that may be involved in a recall or other warranty repairs the week and which tooling used would be necessary. I suspect that records of this were kept attached the the VIN and Line Bore # so that if a defect developed due to tooling wear or damage they knew which bikes needed fixed.

[c.o.]

I may be interested, maybe another picture and would like to know bore size. Thanks, Bob AMCA#6738

Bob, here's some more pics... I hate to admit this but I have neither a micrometer or a bore gauge. (Note to self.. rectify that one of these days!) I'll try to stop by a machine shop sometime this week. It also looks like the camera flash made the bore look more glazed than it actually is.

[panz4ever]

With the drain hole in the cylinder that should make them 62 since pre- hydraulic ones did not have that feature. Suppose someone could have drilled it for the oil hole...

[BigLakeBob]

panz4ever, Don't you mean '53-'62? '63 would not have feed hole. Hydraulic '53 right? Bob AMCA#6738

[panz4ever]

panz4ever, Don't you mean '53-'62? '63 would not have feed hole. Hydraulic '53 right? Bob AMCA#6738

yes, didn't explain that very well...and bmh if your logic is correct should there not be examples of cylinders with codes for the entire year. I have not observed any pan cylinders that go beyond 31. Anyone with a tag that starts with 32 to 52?