W2 Questions

In my search for parts to build my first race car, I came across a set of W2 econo heads in the classifieds on here that I might be getting. Which leads me to my question, is thier anything I should be looking for or be caution of with these? Also who all is good with porting these particular heads? Thanks!

I know they make a short and long valve version and the rocker arm setups are kinda spendy, but no offset rocker arm setup is cheap.

If they are untouched they will need a valve job too.

Shadydell is a good place to start if you want porting work done.

I bought 2 sets to get one good set. Both sets were new in the box, one set had bad core shift from the factory so when they were ported (by RyanJ at Shady Dell) there was an unexpected breakthough in one port due to the core shift (no fault of his). So you have to be careful on some of the early ones.

Set on the ebag.

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I bought 2 sets to get one good set. Both sets were new in the box, one set had bad core shift from the factory so when they were ported (by RyanJ at Shady Dell) there was an unexpected breakthough in one port due to the core shift (no fault of his). So you have to be careful on some of the early ones.

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Actually they were fine when they left my hands & then some other machinist punched a hole in one doing a valve job with his bottom cut in the intake bowl, but I digress......

Yes the early ones with freeze plugs in the ends like Scott had/has have alot of core shift issues, I have seen about 5 sets all have pin holes/cracks in about exact same area his had one, intake port just making transition into short turn on left side corner about 1/2" off valve seat.

Scott's was second set I've seen that went into water there just by doing a VALVE JOB, usually with a very steep bottom cut angle. Those heads are so hit & miss it's ridiculous, in fact I now refuse to port them anymore. Seen some others with holes or cracks in the exhaust port roof which is usually cast very thin as well. I'm just in process of finishing a motor for a member who had a set of 1977 W2's & wanted them ported while we were freshening the motor & I told him I would'nt do it. They Magged OK, & I did a cautious VJ on them & that's it.

The newer stuff (anything with no freeze plugs & should have an actual W2 logo on them somewhere) Are much much better heads, not saying they are perfect by any means, I still see alot of side to side core shift, but at least you can usually count on using them when you're done.

With Crane going under it has put another crimp in the already tight W2 rocker arm area. Now there really is no cheap alternative for W2 rocker gear anymore... Cranes' used to be it...