The iron engined B34 (competition) commenced at XB34 101 in 1948 and continued in 1949 at engine number ZB34 101. From engine number ZB34 2001 in 1950, the alloy engine option was introduced with the ZB34 'A' suffix denoting aluminium top half and starting at engine number 2001...However, the 'A' engine was the option, so the iron unit continued for a few more years...These are competition B Series engines, not Gold Stars...Ian
Take a close look at the barrel at the front and rear between the head bolts..It's not unknown for the alloy 500 barrels to crack there...They can be repaired but the liner has to be removed, the barrel welded inside and out and then remachined before refitting a liner...Not the most straghtforward job!!...If welded on the outside only they will usually crack again...Ian
