304.5

[Blake Hoover]

Is it possible that this '63 R2 has a 304.5? My dad who bought it back in '69 claims it does. How can I verify this?

Special note: The Queen has approved the funds for a complete restoration.

[Gunslinger]

What's the serial number on the block? It should start with a "B". You need the casting numbers from the heads, but some late R3's came with R2 cylinder heads. Other things to look for that certainly could have been changed over the years are five oil breather caps...two on each valve cover and a fifth from a pipe going to the crankcase. It should have transistorized ignition (which could have been changed), an air cleaner/filter assembly in front of the radiator, and the obvious carburetor enclosure, but many R2's have had them added to simulate the R3 look. A genuine R3 block should be painted red rather than black, but that also could have been changed over time.

There's other indicators but the best thing is the engine serial number.