Classic All 'historic' bikes.

1972 IRONHEAD ENGINE NUMBER PROBLEMS

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Nov 27, 2005 | 11:08 PM
  #1  
72SHOVEL's Avatar
72SHOVEL
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From:
Default 1972 IRONHEAD ENGINE NUMBER PROBLEMS

LOOKING FOR SOME ONE THAT HAS PLAYED THE NUMBER GAME WITH SOME OLDER SPORTIES. i HAD A BASKET CASE AND DECIDED TO START OVER. BOUGHT A NEW BLOCK (3A30508H2) THINK ITS A 72. GRABED A SET OF HEADS FROM A FRIEND (16682-71 & 16684-71) WONDERING IF THIES HEADS ARE COMPATABLE WITH THE NEW CACES. ALSO IIF ANYONE HAS ONE OF THEIR OLD BOOKS AROUND LET ME KNOW WHAT NUMBERS I SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR TO GET THE CORRECT JUGS FOR THIS PROJECT. THIES WILL HELP ME FINALLY GET MY CHOPPER TOGETHER, THANKS.
 
Reply
Old Nov 27, 2005 | 11:57 PM
  #2  
pococj's Avatar
pococj
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,472
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Default RE: 1972 IRONHEAD ENGINE NUMBER PROBLEMS

Like I said in reply to your other post, the '72 models are different.

1957-1971 cylinders - front: 16464-58 rear: 16465-58

1972 cylinders - front: 16464-72 rear: 16465-72

1973-1985 cylinders - front: 16464-73A rear: 16465-73A

The '72 1000cc head bolt pattern is different than the previous 900 cc, and also different than the '73 and later 1000cc pattern. And just to really confuse things, some early '73 models used '72 cylinders and heads.

Your crankcase numbers indicate a '72 year model. The cylinder bases are different, but there are only 2 versions - 1957-1971 and 1972-1985. This is according to the base gasket part numbers.

So, to sum up what I've dug out of my catalogs: '72 crankcases can use '72 - '85 cylinders. You'll have to match the heads to the cylinders - '72 heads can be used only on '72 and some early '73cylinders; '73 - '85 heads can be used on late '73 - '85 cylinders.

From all this, I do not think you can use the '71 heads you have on the '72 crankcases, as the '71 and earlier cylinder bases are different, and won't bolt to the '72 and later cases.

Geez, my head hurts!
 
Reply
Old Nov 28, 2005 | 09:34 PM
  #3  
72SHOVEL's Avatar
72SHOVEL
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: 1972 IRONHEAD ENGINE NUMBER PROBLEMS

Skip I got to thank you agian you are a welth of info. I checked out that site and I am wating on a reply I guess you are a little faster. now i just have t find if the heads that got from my friend will work (16682-71 & 16684-71). does your book say I can use thies, my friend says they are 1000cc heads but i would like to be shure. I 'll have to send you some asprin for your head. Thanks agian boss.
 
Reply
Old Nov 29, 2005 | 08:19 AM
  #4  
pococj's Avatar
pococj
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,472
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Default RE: 1972 IRONHEAD ENGINE NUMBER PROBLEMS

I can't find the part numbers anywhere in all the junk I have for the 1000cc heads. I was assuming the -71 number indicated 1971 heads, which are not 1000cc. But HD has been known for changes in mid year production, so I can't say for sure. Hope someone on Sportster.org can offer more info.
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2005 | 10:17 PM
  #5  
72SHOVEL's Avatar
72SHOVEL
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: 1972 IRONHEAD ENGINE NUMBER PROBLEMS

Skip thanks for all your help, you save me a ton of time triying to find a web site that didn't exist. I'll have to send you some picks of the bike as it unfolds. I can't wate to ride the chopper because I fabed most of the bike in my garage with a welder, a set of tourches, a pipe bender, a laser, and the ***** to do it because some one said you can't build **** like that with out a full blown shop. thanks agian boss!
 
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2005 | 11:47 PM
  #6  
pococj's Avatar
pococj
Seasoned HDF Member
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 11,068
Likes: 1,472
From: Texas! Ya mean there's someplace else?
Default RE: 1972 IRONHEAD ENGINE NUMBER PROBLEMS

Got any way of postin' some build pics on here?
 
Reply
Old Dec 5, 2005 | 01:06 PM
  #7  
72SHOVEL's Avatar
72SHOVEL
Thread Starter
|
Novice
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: 1972 IRONHEAD ENGINE NUMBER PROBLEMS

I think the woman is getting me a digital camera for x-mass. When I get it I'll find a way to set up the picks. I haven't seen all the options in the forum yet, but I will.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
max738
Engine Mechanical Topics
11
Jun 23, 2022 03:07 PM
2rays
Touring Models
14
Mar 30, 2013 03:25 PM
speakerfritz
Touring Models
6
Oct 1, 2011 02:27 PM
Hawghauler
Exhaust System Topics
9
Sep 23, 2011 03:47 PM
topdong1
Ironhead
17
Apr 17, 2008 04:01 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:01 PM.

story-0
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-1
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-3
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-4
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-5
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE
story-9
Southpaw Super Glide: A Left-Hand-Drive 1979 Harley FXE Built to Fit the Rider

Slideshow: Graeme Billington's left-hand-drive Shovelhead is as much about problem-solving as it is about classic Harley form.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2025-12-30 11:27:08


VIEW MORE