I recently received a 1931 Engine, but immediately noticed that the head is not a '31 head.

I suspect it may be a '39 head due to the casting date: May '39.

The identifying marks on the head are:

Casting Number: 896275
Casting Date: E27-9
Words: "Stelco Iron"
Mfr Logo: Large "S" with "F" in upper crook and "Co." in lower crook of the S.

Any ideas as to what it is?

All the Best, Chip

A 1939 head is very different .
You have an after-market replacement head. Not too unusual.

Thanks Gene! That makes sense.

All the Best, Chip

Check again to make sure that the "896275" isn't actually "836275". There is no "896275" listed as a cylinder head casting number, but "836275" is the casting number for a 1930-31 cylinder head.

Your replacement cylinder head was cast on May 27th, 1939.

Thanks Skip -- that would make sense. I'll check.

All the Best, Chip

Okay, let me know what you find.

As usual, the DOG is ............

CORRECT!

Waiting for you in my shop fridge is the second half of the beer I enjoyed earlier this week. Stop by any time. I plan to turn the fridge on in the Spring.

All the Best, Chip

I love it when a Seaman gets a Captain out of trouble!

The fridge in my shop is on 24/7 all year long.

Chip, Chip,

Mercy! Heavens to Betsy. Please don't make such elementry mistakes again. Folks will paint us North Carolinans a bunch of ignorant rednecks. People all over the world will giggle. Will too!

It's the kind of question that drives Gene nuts. Check his answer based upon your bogus head number. Aftermarket head? Hmmm.

Is it the thin air up there in Asheville?

See you at Charlotte in April. Don't plan to stop by for too long. Someone may recognize you. Bad for business.

Best,
Charlie

Charlie --

It's either the thin air up here or possibly the Mason Jars of unidentified clear liquid..... I enjoy both.

Don't worry, I won't pass too close to your space at Charlotte....my friends might be watching and get the wrong idea about the kind of people I hang out with.

Ignorant redneck? Nope. Ignorant OLD redneck.

See you in a few weeks!

All the Best, Chip