Combat Motor

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Apr 15, 2007
Messages
11
Hello everyone, I`m new to the forum and to Norton ownership ( 1971 Commando). I have a question regarding the Combat engine. I read that if the lower engine block is black then you have a combat engine. True? Also, what is the difference , if any, in a combat motor verses a standard motor.
Thanks, Mike
 
Mike,
You'll need to go off the engine and head numbers they will tell you if it was originally a Combat. As most Combats were de-tuned the only real way to tell is to strip it down.
Cash
 
A 1971 built or registered machine couldn't originally have been fitted with a Combat motor. If your motor has a number below 200000 then it is definitely pre '72.

Engines prior to the Combat originally had silver painted barrells and then again afterwards but many have since been painted black which is the most likely explanation.
 
There were some 'Combat' specification engines built to special order before they generally became available as '72 production models I think, but these would be rather rare, and it would be a bit unsafe to assume that an engine was built to Combat spec. (if it is a '71 model?) just going by the colour of the barrels now after it's been around for 36 years.

The 'Combat' engines had a higher compression ratio, as the cylinder head was skimmed and the Combat camshaft was fitted. The carbs/inlet ports being 32mm. A Combat engine could have a letter 'C' and 'RH3' stamped on the top of the cylinder head.
The first production ('72) Combat engine supposedly started from engine number 200976.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top