W/NG frame height

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Anorak Galore !

As you all know (.....) a 500 engine does fit a W/NG frame but it has to be build up first complete with rocker boxes and then placed in the frame.
Normally one fits the crankcase and build it up, but that does not work as the rockerboxes on the higher 500 engine wont go on then.

But....see this text:

I think it's highly unlikely that the factory would fit a higher 500 engine in a 'low' 350 XG frame.
It makes servicing a bit odd if you have to take the whole engine out when replacing a valve or such.
Who knows ? did the factory make different height frames with XG prefixes to fit the higher VH engine ?

Because VA and VB (SV) and VA and VH (OHV) engines with CH numbers where fitted in XG frames :

Yes??? are you with me chaps?

[simon.holyfield]

I think we are going to need a platinum anorak!

And in pursuit of that anorak I too am driven to look at Roger's contract list to find supposed 'W/NG' contracts with Matchless and BSA engines fitted (see C1785). If we were to ascertain how you would fit those engines into a W/NG frame, and we were to find that there was some significant issue that would prevent such an engine fitting in a W/NG frame, we would know that the XG number sequence was just a serial number and had no direct correlation to the part number of the frame itself, i.e. no direct relation to the drawing to which that frame was made.

Same applies to fitting a VH engine - if you can can get the engine in the frame, but cannot maintain it when fitted, does that mean it fits or not? Just because it will go in doesn't mean it is fit for purpose...

The implication is that even if a frame has an XG number, that doesn't mean its manufactured to the same drawing.,.

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Simes ! me hopes not to need any serious maintanance on Burney's engine....
Now for my newly found 1940 'CH' 500 engine I am counting my changes to unearth one of these 'XG' frames originally used for a VH.

[simon.holyfield]

All Ariels run forever with no maintenance, especially Square Fours!

[adrie.degraaff]

Now for my newly found 1940 'CH' 500 engine I am counting my changes to unearth one of these 'XG' frames originally used for a VH.

This VG one? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ARIEL-RIGID- ... Sw0fhXmZnC
The batch of 10.000 VG's and VH's is delivered between sept. '40 and jan. '41 to Catterick

[wade.edwards]

I am pretty sure that the XG frames were all mated with BH engines. There could be exceptions such as Mick Holmes', factory, Matchless engined W/NG. I will try to get an answer.

[adrie.degraaff]

I am pretty sure that the XG frames were all mated with BH engines.

Sorry your wrong it's in the war list as CH.

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Thanks Adrie, although it misses a bit in the center tube......

[Vincent.vanGinneke]

Hello Wade, like Adrie, it is in the list above that you can see there are several CH engines in XG frames.
These could be sidevalves and overheadvalves .
Probably sidevalves where fitted into 350 OHV frames but I dont think the factoy fitted the 500OHV in the standard 350 WD frames

[adrie.degraaff]

Thanks Adrie, although it misses a bit in the center tube......

I wish all frame restorations where that easy to do.