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techtalk:miscres:miscres51 [2021/08/09 21:40] hippysmack [Casting number -vs- Part number examples] |
techtalk:miscres:miscres51 [2022/03/14 06:15] (current) hippysmack [Circle Date Codes] |
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| And HD may add their own stampings also before the part is fitted to a motorcycle. \\ | And HD may add their own stampings also before the part is fitted to a motorcycle. \\ | ||
| So the casting or stamped numbers / letters / symbols etc. found in a part will denote many things other than part numbers. \\ | So the casting or stamped numbers / letters / symbols etc. found in a part will denote many things other than part numbers. \\ | ||
| + | Basically a casting number details a certain main design of a part. \\ | ||
| + | That design may require other machining (holes, slots etc) before being classified as a part to be used in production. \\ | ||
| + | The main design may simply require different finishes or colors for different models before being used in production. \\ | ||
| + | The main design may also require other parts added (bearing race, sleeve for holes etc) before being used in production. \\ | ||
| + | When the main design changed, so did the casting numbers, but not until then. However, the part number may change several times. \\ | ||
| - | Some parts will be identical when they are originally made by the vendor or whoever. \\ | + | Some parts will be identical when they are originally made by the Moco or vendor or whoever. \\ |
| Then, one step toward the part's final production state may be adding a mounting hole for one model. \\ | Then, one step toward the part's final production state may be adding a mounting hole for one model. \\ | ||
| But another model may not require one or may require the hole drilled in a different location. \\ | But another model may not require one or may require the hole drilled in a different location. \\ | ||
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| ====== How you can use casting numbers ====== | ====== How you can use casting numbers ====== | ||
| - | Casting can SOMETIMES be used to identify years / models used on. The numbers generally have to be deduced however. \\ | + | |
| Many castings numbers have been cyphered out in the Sportsterpedia in the respective part sections. \\ | Many castings numbers have been cyphered out in the Sportsterpedia in the respective part sections. \\ | ||
| Links to that information in the Sportsterpedia are provided on the bottom of the examples below. \\ | Links to that information in the Sportsterpedia are provided on the bottom of the examples below. \\ | ||
| * **Casting numbers can be used to identify SOME parts or year models used on if you can decode the numbers and this fits your criteria**. | * **Casting numbers can be used to identify SOME parts or year models used on if you can decode the numbers and this fits your criteria**. | ||
| - | * There are many parts in the Sportsterpedia where casting numbers are known and listed in their respective sections. | + | * The casting numbers are sometimes arbitrary between year models and can't be used to date the part. \\ So consulting a verified list of casting numbers can help in decoding the parts. |
| - | * No date codes were cast into 52-85 cam covers but were cast into 86-up covers. \\ The first 5 digits of the casting number on 1952-1980 cam covers are (25202). \\ The -dash number for 52-56 K models is (25202-52). The -dash number for 57-67 XLs is (25202-52A) \\ But then the only casting number on 68-70 covers is (02-68). 71-76 covers used (25202-71) \\ Then they throw another twist with the -dash number not inline with the first five numbers (76-25202F) and the -dash number is above the five numbers. \\ So knowing ahead of time the pattern of these codes can be important in find what you are looking for. \\ [[techtalk:ih:engmech01#gearcase_cam_cover|Reference 57-85 Gearcase / Cam Covers]] | + | * **Example**: No date codes were cast into 52-85 cam covers but were cast into 86-up covers. \\ The first 5 digits of the casting number on 1952-1980 cam covers are (25202). \\ The -dash number for 52-56 K models is (25202-52). The -dash number for 57-67 XLs is (25202-52A) \\ But then the only casting number on 68-70 covers is (02-68). 71-76 covers used (25202-71) \\ Then they throw another twist with the -dash number not inline with the first five numbers (76-25202F) and the -dash number is above the five numbers. \\ So knowing ahead of time the pattern of these codes can be important in find what you are looking for. \\ [[techtalk:ih:engmech01#gearcase_cam_cover|Reference 57-85 Gearcase / Cam Covers]] |
| - | * However, building a data base of casting numbers is not the only way to decode them depending on what you are needing to know. | + | * However, building a data base of casting numbers is not the only way to decode them depending on what you are needing to know. \\ If the part has a date code, you can sometimes deduce what year the part was made. \\ This can, but not always, reveal what year the part fits (not particular model though). \\ Sometimes it takes the casting numbers along with known features or other markings to decipher what the part fits. |
| - | * If the part has a date code, you can sometimes deduce what year the part was made. \\ This can, but not always, reveal what year the part fits (not particular model though). | + | * **Example 1**: 1957-1969 models use casting numbers to identify certain parts of the frame for year / model ID. \\ 57-69 models did not have a VIN number stamped in the frame. A serial number was stamped into the motor. \\ The only way to ID what year and model frame you have is to find and decode the casting numbers and known frame features. \\ [[techtalk:ih:body01w|Reference Ironhead Frame Identification]] |
| + | * **Example 2**: Casting numbers can be important when buying a used carb with the correct internals for your year model. \\ Keihin CV carbs have casting numbers and also the part number is on a sticker attached to the carb. \\ The stickers make it relatively easy to match the carb to what year model it was fitted to from the factory. \\ But sometimes the sticker goes missing (common after the carb sits in carb cleaner) or is unreadable. \\ Then you'll have to depend on the casting numbers and / or internal inspection. \\ However, casting numbers (only) were cast or stamped into early carburetors. \\ These markings identify type, body, jetting, motorcycle used for or modifications done to them. \\ [[techtalk:ih:carb01|Reference Links from the main IH Carburetor Page]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | ====== Circle Date Codes ====== | ||
| + | Many parts have a circle date code cast into them. This refers to the date the part was made (not the year model is was made for). \\ | ||
| + | Generally the date code will be inside a cast-in circle with equal division blocks around the date in the center. \\ | ||
| + | The division blocks will (most of the time) have dots stamped or blotted into the blocks to represent the month with the center number being the year. \\ | ||
| + | Knowing the year season helps a lot. Generally you can look to June or July being the start of the next year season for production parts. \\ | ||
| + | There most likely will be a layover between ending season and new season parts however. \\ | ||
| + | So those two months are just a general point. \\ | ||
| - | * **1957-1969 models use casting numbers to identify certain parts of the frame for year / model ID**. | + | **Example**: |
| - | * 57-69 models did not have a VIN number stamped in the frame. A serial number was stamped into the motor. \\ The only way to ID what year and model frame you have is to find and decode the casting numbers and known frame features. \\ [[techtalk:ih:body01w|Reference Ironhead Frame Identification]] | + | If you have a cam cover with a circle date code (90) for the year 1990, it could have been made for either 1990 or 1991 model applications. \\ |
| - | * **Numbers were cast or stamped into early carburetors to identify type, body, motorcycle used for and modifications done to them**. \\ [[techtalk:ih:carb01|Reference Links from the main IH Carburetor Page]] | + | A circle date (90) and three division blocks blotted would indicate the part was cast in March, 1990 (late 1990 model season). \\ |
| + | The part will generally be made for a 1990 bike. \\ | ||
| + | A circle date (90) and eight division blocks blotted would indicate the part was cast in August, 1990 (early 1991 model season). \\ | ||
| + | The part will generally be made for a 1991 bike. \\ | ||
| + | Then compare features or known casting numbers, if applicable, for a positive year match. \\ | ||
