Hey guys. I picked up a 340 from craigslist on a whim that happens to have a set of W2 heads and a mopar single plane intake. The guy that built the motor unfortunately passed away so I have very little information on it. It appears it was run for a very, very short time, enough to put some color on the pistons but not enough to show any kind of wear pattern on the cam. I bought the motor for the block, and have little interest in the W2 setup. Looking for opinions on what the top end is worth. Appears to have no porting, and the standard adjustable rockers. Any ideas would be appreciated.
W2 top end.
- Thread starter Scampin
- Start date
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I would say 1500-2000 but are you mentally ill? That's about the best small block induction money can buy and you have it all.
vntned
Well-Known Member
Those are the early style of W2 castings. They are the "Econo" W2 heads that do not require rocker shaft blocks. As well as use regular height valve springs. They don't support the same high lift that the full race heads do. Hell of a set of iron heads though. As cast they flow more than any iron small block Chevy or Chrysler head.
Prices can vary. Demand isn't very high for those heads, as most guys these days are wanting aluminum heads.
For example, I scored a fully ported set of early W2 race heads with a port matched intake last year for $400. That was an exceptionally good deal and perhaps not a good reflection of their value.
Ive seen complete unported W2s go for $600-$800 locally. Online I've seen them similar to yours in the $1200 range.
Prices can vary. Demand isn't very high for those heads, as most guys these days are wanting aluminum heads.
For example, I scored a fully ported set of early W2 race heads with a port matched intake last year for $400. That was an exceptionally good deal and perhaps not a good reflection of their value.
Ive seen complete unported W2s go for $600-$800 locally. Online I've seen them similar to yours in the $1200 range.
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Good to find out what the parts are worth before putting them up for sale. Now, you other guys, do not, I repeat DO NOT offer to buy these on this thread. If you do you might find yourself taking a vacation from the site! Understood? Thanks.
Yeah but he has the expensive and hard to find rocker gear. ALL of it.
Can you get a picture of the chambers, please?
vntned
Well-Known Member
With the econo W2 heads, only the rockers are unique. The reason they were called "econo" heads, was solely due to the fact that they use the same valves, springs, retainers, and rocker shafts as standard X/J/O/U heads. So it would be way cheaper to put a complete setup together.
I'm not 100% sure, but I believe you can even get away with using TA rockers and shafts instead of the W2 specific rockers. I could be wrong on that one though.
I'm not 100% sure, but I believe you can even get away with using TA rockers and shafts instead of the W2 specific rockers. I could be wrong on that one though.
vntned
Well-Known Member
Oh, and the chambers of the "810" and "810E" casting heads should be open chamber. Same as X/J/O/U heads.
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SSG_Karg
Enhanced member
Run ‘em!!!!
"Should be" but I've seen those same castings with both style chambers. That's why I asked.
So whose sellin W2 style rockers? Econo or otherwise? They're hard to find and usually missing.
TA heads have a .550 offset on the intake....W2 have a .770 offset on the intake...also...the the bolts holding the shaft down are 3/8 thread instead of 5/16.....
Harland Sharpe has both available...and even have aluminum TA rockers...
Yeah but dig DEEP! Like they at the southern Baptist churches after they pass the offering plates and lock the doors. lol
And I knew they did....I was referring to the ductile iron ones.
yellow rose
Overnight Sensation
Not sure what you call early style but those certainly aren’t what I call early W2’s. Some of those heads can have the stands milled down and they are the same as the race head, although I’m not sure that head is from that era.
Also, the rocker gear is the same for the Econ and the race head with the exception of the race rockers being bushed. You can put bushings in those rockers and they would be the race rockers.
Still not sure why the OP won’t run them. You have everything. I’d use them in a New York second.
Dont think anyone is making the old ductile rockers .....bushed or not bushed.......i like bush .....she is a red head...oh...sorry
some people are hoarding them...lol
Exactly my point.
greymouser7
Vagrant Vagabond “Veni Vidi Vici”
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There are some econo heads that operate with longer valves.
lemondana
BlackDart
Jesel and TD both make W2 rockers setups. I have a NOS set of the early 810 casting W2's, they have the milled down shaft stands. When the stands are milled down-that is for the longer valves and offset shafts, right?
Yes those are the race head....they need stands and offset shafts........and they take the long valves.....
Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
Rocker arms are readily available on the used market or new if you buy T&D or Jesel. Yes the best will cost.a little more but when doesn't it?
Krooser
Building Chinese Free Engines since 1959...
My econo heads had the built in stands but the original builder milled them off but still used the std. length valves. I replaced the 3/8 valve for 11/32 with longer stems.
The original purple shaft cam was under .500 lift and one of my new cams is .619 so I played it safe with longer valves.
I can't imagine replacing the w2 heads with any popular alloy heads... loose HP to save some weight? Now if you are talking Edelbrock Victor or BA-B1-MC heads that's different but most guys just want to drag along less weight but look the other way when they load up their 275lb. GF....
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