The BSA A7-A10 Forum

Technical (Descriptive Topic Titles - Stay on Topic) => A7 & A10 Engine => Topic started by: Lightningpower on 30.06. 2010 06:25

Title: Markings below serial numbers
Post by: Lightningpower on 30.06. 2010 06:25
Some of the A7 and A10 motors I've seen have different markings beneath the serial number.  Is there a definitive list anywhere that tells us what they mean?
HHC= high compression?
HC=? (less high compression that the other one???)

I saw an A7 motor with a lousy stamping under the serial number that clearly ends in STER'S  but the first bit isn't even stamped into the case.  What is this?  Are there other markings?

Thanks, Christian
Title: Re: Markings below serial numbers
Post by: mark on 30.06. 2010 08:31
my understanding is that HHC refers to High Lift Cam (H) and High Compression Pistons (HC) and this was on the earlier rockets until the flashes went to the 356 cam in 195? when the stamping reverted to HC only. My 55 and 57 engines both have HHC. I'll stand corrected however.
Regards
Mark
Title: Re: Markings below serial numbers
Post by: 1660bob on 01.07. 2010 21:15
I read it as Mark above, i.e H: 356/357 high lift cam HC: high compression. Both together:HHC.
However my 1961 S/Rocket is stamped HHC so i think it applies after the Road Rockets. What are (genuine) Rocket Gold Stars stamped? surely HHC....C`mon RGS owners let us know, Bob.
Title: Re: Markings below serial numbers
Post by: trevinoz on 02.07. 2010 04:21
Rocket Goldies used the standard Super Rocket engine thus have HHC stamped.
Trev.
Title: Re: Markings below serial numbers
Post by: lawnmowerman on 02.07. 2010 10:09
My 59 SR has HC so unless I have the wrong engine it looks like HHC was dropped some time before 59 when the 356 cam was fitted as standard - or could it have been built on a Friday afternoon when the factory had run out of the correct crank cases.  *lol*
If HHC was dropped then I would assume that later RGS models would also be HC if they were based on the SR engine.

Jim
Title: Re: Markings below serial numbers
Post by: Lightningpower on 02.07. 2010 14:24
My 1959 Spitfire Scrambler has HHC stamped on it.  BSA was good about building your machine to your specs. What cam did yours come with?
Title: Re: Markings below serial numbers
Post by: lawnmowerman on 02.07. 2010 15:14
Not sure Lightning, engine was rebuilt by PO so not sure what he camshaft he put in. I think that the engine may be a year or two newer than the frame but I have read on other posts that it was quite normal for a dealer to change out the complete engine for warranty claims back in the day. Probably cheaper than rebuilding.

Jim
Title: Re: Markings below serial numbers
Post by: Lightningpower on 24.07. 2010 18:08
Can anyone tell me what the stamping below the serial number on a late A7 mean?  As mentioned above, the stamping is illegible for the first letters but ends in "STERS".  Thanks.
Title: Re: Markings below serial numbers
Post by: muskrat on 24.07. 2010 19:34
Got me stumped, maybe the first 3 letters are BLI, cause BSA stands for Bl@@dy Sore Ass. LOL. It might have been stamped by a PO with his nickname..
Cheers
Title: Re: Markings below serial numbers
Post by: terryk on 25.07. 2010 14:18
It might be a previous owners name. I had BLUE stamped near my engine number on a previously owned A10 years ago and its only that I knew the previous owners nick name was Blue that I knew what it meant. The person that now owns it thought that it had been balanced and blue printed until I spoiled his fun and told him what it meant. Kill joy I am.