Help with heads

MWH78 Casual Dubber

28 posts · joined Nov 2010 · 3 Jul 2011, 9:28 pm

#849743

We have a completly stock 1600 twin port in the beetle we are doing up that needs a head replaced due to a broken exhaust stud fix that kind went wrong. I have found a pair that seemed ok but when I enquired about if they had been machined for unleaded I got the following reply:
"These are auto linea brand -casing stamped GOI 010 013 7513 these are fairly new used heads -they are not machined-you would have to use de compression shims"
I have no idea what de compression shims are. Could these heads be bolted straight onto our standard motor and work successfully or are they not suitable? Thanks for any help you can give us.

Brian Officially Full-On Dubber

263 posts · joined Jun 2007 · 3 Jul 2011, 9:36 pm

#849747

just bolt em on , no shims needed

Brian Officially Full-On Dubber

263 posts · joined Jun 2007 · 3 Jul 2011, 9:37 pm

#849749

you don't machine standard heads for a std motor

MWH78 Casual Dubber

28 posts · joined Nov 2010 · 3 Jul 2011, 9:45 pm

#849752

Thanks for you super quick reply.

As they are "fairly new heads" to quote the seller would they be fine to use as is with unleaded or would they need hardened seats like other pre unleaded cars?

donn Wolfsburg Elder

3,515 posts · joined Nov 2005 · 3 Jul 2011, 9:54 pm

#849758

Air cooled VW don't need anything special for unleaded, they are fine as they are. 👍

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waveman1500 Also rides a Honda

1,346 posts · joined Dec 2009 · 3 Jul 2011, 9:58 pm

#849762

All stock VW heads are okay for unleaded fuel. VW used hardened valve seats from the factory. If for some reason someone had put soft valve seats in there, then it may cause the seats to wear a bit quicker, but this is not likely. If you discover that the seats wear too quickly then you can always have them replaced later on.

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Brian Officially Full-On Dubber

263 posts · joined Jun 2007 · 3 Jul 2011, 9:59 pm

#849763

they already have hardened valve seats etc

MWH78 Casual Dubber

28 posts · joined Nov 2010 · 3 Jul 2011, 10:03 pm

#849764

Great thanks for all the info guys.

helbus Administrator Mad fabricator, paint and body

7,386 posts · joined Sep 2002 · 3 Jul 2011, 10:07 pm

#849770

VW's have aluminium heads, so hard valve seats are already inserted. 91 octane unleaded is fine in a stock motor, we have used it for 6 years with no problems at all. No decompression required.

It won't hurt to use a valve saver fluid in your fuel, nor will it hurt to use 95 octane unleaded. They just cost more. Valvemaster brand is a common simple product to use. Don't use it in any vehicles with catalytic converters though.

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Bizarre Moderator The artist formerly known as blue74l

12,785 posts · joined Aug 2002 · 4 Jul 2011, 7:53 am

#849809

I would still cc the heads to work out what CR it is going to be before just bolting them on

Futue te ipsum!!!

matberry Moderator Go hard or go home

8,114 posts · joined Mar 2006 · 4 Jul 2011, 8:56 am

#849818

Bizarre wrote:I would still cc the heads to work out what CR it is going to be before just bolting them on

x2. Definately a requirment, and also deck height as the old heads may have had a step with zero deck. You have to check these things as it can't be taken for granted.

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