WTB 42WLA Engine cases

[17thAirborne]

Wanted to buy, a set of 42WLA engine cases that match. I only need the cases, but would be fine with a more complete engine. I would like to be able to completely rebuild the engine without heavy machining or welding, so no rust-bucket projects for me Have been checking the common locations frequently.

Part Nos

410-37A
406-37A

I appreciate any help in this exercise of mine.

[17thAirborne]

Found these allegedly NOS, hopefully its just dirt. What do you think for a starter, look to be Aug 42 manufactured and 43 belly numbers. A bit early for a Type V, but definitely a solid date for Type III and possibly Type IV. They are dirty and grimy, but do not have what looks like damage/wear marks from use.

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[chibobber]

Please avoid any blasting of any kind when cleaning.Hot water and Tide detergent will clean them up and leave nothing behind after being rinsed and dried.A little oil on the metal parts and races and your good to go.

[17thAirborne]

Please avoid any blasting of any kind when cleaning.Hot water and Tide detergent will clean them up and leave nothing behind after being rinsed and dried.A little oil on the metal parts and races and your good to go.

Thanks for the suggestions. I hope to have these in my possession soon.

[OLDABEWLA]

Hey Oz,

Are trying for the painted late or unpainted cases early?

That would be different to see the nos crated WLA engine in the early form unpainted you never see them.

If I had all kinds of time and money I would love to build a crated WLA harley project?

Craig

[17thAirborne]

Hey Oz,

Are trying for the painted late or unpainted cases early?

That would be different to see the nos crated WLA engine in the early form unpainted you never see them.

If I had all kinds of time and money I would love to build a crated WLA harley project?

Craig

I have been thinking about that. These cases are probably more suited for a Type III restoration as those ended in Apr 43. Given the case manuf. date is Aug 42 and the belly stamps are 43, making it a Type IV might be a stretch, although I am open to opinions on this from those who are more familiar with the ranges of belly numbers used on Type III/IV. Right now I am leaning toward the Type III, which would mean the crank cases and cover would be natural finish.

If there is reasonable evidence that a 42 manuf. date on a spare engine case was used on a Type IV, then I would definitely do the OD color for the simple reason I like it better.

As for the time and money, I am figuring 2 years knowing my schedule and commitments, and I started selling my 30 WW2 collection last year, so the cost does not impact family budget. Once I get off top dead center on this I think I will start a thread on that project also.

[17thAirborne]

There is some data on the number question on this thread:

viewtopic.php?f=23&t=276860

I see bobgourami posted a Type IV engine (42WLA41203) with a Feb 43 case date ( B 3) and a high 43 belly SN of 43-24287.
As a comparison my cases would be....................................Aug 42 case date (H 2) and a lower 43 belly SN of 43-9052.

I believe the manuf date is not as telling as the belly stamp. The question is, how many engines (blank and numbered) were assembled each month in 43?

From Palmer's book, Type III SN 16001 - 39229 = 23228 bikes built over 11.5 months = 2019 bikes per month.
Type IV SN 39230 - 50829 = 11599 bikes built over about 5 months = 2319 bikes per month.

To that must be added the number of spare engines that were built each month to determine what approximate date the belly number leads us to.

The TM states that 7 complete engines were required per 100 units, that would indicate that HD was contracted for at least 7% more army engines for their contract. That means if the ball park number of bikes produced in early 43 was around 2200 bikes per month, there would also have been a need for another 154 engines each month as 7% spares. (.07 x 2200 = 154) BUT, I am just guessing on the number of spare engines!

That makes a average number of cases 2350-ish produced each month in early 43. 9052 divided by 2350 - 3.85 (months). or end of April. If the number of spares produced each month was higher, then the belly No 9052 would be earlier in Apr.

The Type III/IV swap happened somewhere in April 1943, so using my leaky-logic here, I might be able to make a mathematical case for one of the first Type IV spare motors.

NOTE: I realize production was not a pure linear calculation, as many factors went into this. My assumption that the TM 7 spares per 100 translated directly to an HD contract to produce exactly that many spare engines may also be totally incorrect.

In any case, I would love to hear any comments on the spare engine production data to help me arrive at a correct Type to build to.