Tappet Blocks

[Yags]

A friend of mine just purchased a 1948 Panhead. He is the 3rd owner and the bike seems to be very original. It had a slight "restoration" in the early 90's. He's pulled the motor for a complete rebuild. Needs rods for sure.

What he found is the tappet blocks are cast iron.... not aluminum. They are not drilled for '53 and later lifters. The tappet blocks look to have H-D casting numbers and look to be OEM. I can post those cast #'s later.

Has anyone ever seen 1948-1952 cast iron tappet blocks from H-D, or are these aftermarket?

Thanks.
Mike

[Panacea]

Palmers says 53-65 were cast iron, with oil passages for pressure feeding of both tappets. The front guide #18600-53 has a stamped-in casting number, on the bottom,(same number), and drain holes for each pushrod. The rear has the #18610-53. Mike

[RUBONE]

Yags,
There are other instances of iron early style blocks being around. And they appear to be factory items and not aftermarket. It has been discussed on other forums but I don't have the threads or the time to search. most appeared to be on '48 engines only, perhaps an early production thing.
Robbie

[Yags]

Cast iron, no oil holes

[Cotten]

Definitely the same design as aluminum blocks (and probably much better!).

If not early production, perhaps they are Factory replacements, like undrilled overhead oiler heads?

It proves there's probably an exception to every rule.

I would covet them jealously.

....Cotten

[katto]

Yes ,they are Factory replacements for the early Panheads. Rare! I was abel to pick up a set a couple years back. Katto