engine id codes
Thread Starter
|
Stage I
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
engine id codes
I have a 49?pan motor but I can't identify the year. It seems the case was replaced, and on the top of the case near the base of the cylinder is a stamped "7". Can anyone shed some light on this for me?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 7,481
Likes: 3,677
From: Santa Klaus County, Cali
RE: engine id codes
The "7" just means the case is set up for a 74 cu inch motor. On the left side of the engine case above the timing hole plug there should be a raised boss with numbers and letters on it. This number is used for registration purposes and is the VIN number. It consists of two numeric characters, one or more alpha characters and ends in four or more (depending on production numbers) numeric characters. Should look something like...49FL1234.
In addition to these numbers, there are lower case numbers. These are on the bottom half of both cases. A complete engine crankcase consists of two matched halves, one right and one left. Lower case numbers are located on the bottom outside edge near the front of the case. Thes numbers normally consist of three numeric characters, a dash and four or more numeric characters...1 49 - 2345. The first number designates it as an F, FL, E, or EL (later bikes it also meant FLH), the next two numbers indicate the year in which the engine case was produced at the Harley factory. Note: the number may be one year earlier than the number stamped on the engine boss. The opposite is not true! This situation exists because HD pre-stamped a supply of crankcases based on anticipated needs. If the entire supply was not used before the termination of the year model, these cases were used in the next successive year model.
As a general rule, lower case productions numbers and vin production numbers do not match, although I guess at least one set from each year would as the production number reached the vin number.
If you examine your lower case numbers and they are non-matching halves...welcome to the real world of mix and match. Doesn't generally mean anything other than at some point the right of left case was blown out and thrown away rather than being rebuilt. Technology today allows for fixing the old cases (Head Hog is one of the best).
Not sure where you live, but one last thought...places like S&S and STD make aftermarket cases today but, in California, you won't get it registered as a 49; the best you will do is get is registered as a special construction and get assigned a blue tag.
In addition to these numbers, there are lower case numbers. These are on the bottom half of both cases. A complete engine crankcase consists of two matched halves, one right and one left. Lower case numbers are located on the bottom outside edge near the front of the case. Thes numbers normally consist of three numeric characters, a dash and four or more numeric characters...1 49 - 2345. The first number designates it as an F, FL, E, or EL (later bikes it also meant FLH), the next two numbers indicate the year in which the engine case was produced at the Harley factory. Note: the number may be one year earlier than the number stamped on the engine boss. The opposite is not true! This situation exists because HD pre-stamped a supply of crankcases based on anticipated needs. If the entire supply was not used before the termination of the year model, these cases were used in the next successive year model.
As a general rule, lower case productions numbers and vin production numbers do not match, although I guess at least one set from each year would as the production number reached the vin number.
If you examine your lower case numbers and they are non-matching halves...welcome to the real world of mix and match. Doesn't generally mean anything other than at some point the right of left case was blown out and thrown away rather than being rebuilt. Technology today allows for fixing the old cases (Head Hog is one of the best).
Not sure where you live, but one last thought...places like S&S and STD make aftermarket cases today but, in California, you won't get it registered as a 49; the best you will do is get is registered as a special construction and get assigned a blue tag.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
