Just had my heads crack tested. They were only supposed to do dye penetrant but they used them for a training aid and x-rayed them Not bad for a carton. so next is the port job. has anyone ported their own heads. I know some will say leave it to the experts.
forgive my humble ignorance, but what exactly is involved in porting heads? I know its for better flow, but thats all i know.....:sandrine
good porting is the difference between breathing with your nose full of BOOGGERS when your as dog as a crook!!! or breathing when your as fiddle as a fit!!! get onto your local VW mohanic, he may port heads or steer you in the right direction of a good porter, not to be confused with the guy what carries your bags at the hotel!!!
Check it out DUDES http://www.cal-look.com/tech/basic.shtml 
RSI thats got to be one of the best analogies i've heard. Not so wild that longevity is compromised just as RSI said "clean out the boogers"
there were some very good porting articles in hotvw's 10 ish ? years ago about budget performance mods including porting if I remember a 3 angle
valve job was worth about 3hp
someone out there would have a copy
marcel
Theres nothing like the feeling of doing something ya self- research as much as possible then find some old heads and practice on those ( better than
klaging up your good un's):bounce
If your just flowing them and not worrying bout over sized valves all you need is a $30 die grinder from supercheap, some sand paper and a steady hand
(and patients)
AT LEAST do a 3 angle valve jobbie to get those gasses on the way.
Next step would be to match port the manifolds. At least then there is no big step in the flow. You would be amazed how out of alignment they can
be.
I run 040's that have a 3 angle and a very slight port and i am very happy
An excellent chapter in an old book called how to hotrod VW engines. Gives pictures aswell as step by step instructions on what they found to be successful using a flow bench. If u r going to do your own heads this would be the best place tp start.
I agree with Blue, do the valves (3 angle), then match all the ports and gaskets, then this should give you some confidence with the die grinder to start flowing the ports. I did quite a bit of work on the combustion chamber of the 044 heads in the Speedster after they were "Semi Hemi" machined.
Thanks for all the info guys will start attacking soon.....:thumb
just a thought. it might be a good idea to play a bit on an old head or two before you start grinding your good uncracked heads.... this is what i am planning to do anyway.