I was touting the W-5 heads yrs ago and got bashed at every turn...
if you took the time to properly fix them..
they are a great head..
make lots of power...
they have alot of potential.
and could actually be a very economical head...
like you stated due to availabilty of valve train.
teh 52* stuff...is still out there and seems will be for a long time.
ive purchased 2 sets of large prt commando's trying to duplicate the performance that the w5 afforded..
thats alot of work...that doesnt come cheap.
not even counting the specialty parts needed to complete the set up.
especially the non existant header flange.
the W-5 is as close to a bolt up as you'd get...considering its a large port type head..and works for a 52* block.
with what youve mention'd the descision seems logical...
and with the push for the super size smallblock combo's from mopar ie 440"...
they'd be running up against the wall with out it.
again....with whats out there..
they always seem to be missing a piece of the puzzle...
producing these heads again would be the smart thing to do..
all the excuses are pretty much gone now..
id buy a few sets...thats for sure..
dont discount the cost factor as well...
1200-ish ...PLEASE....and THANK YOU...
cheapst.