Used Diamond W2 Aluminum Heads Yay or Nay?

If they pressure test they should be ok. Also CC the chambers. One on each head. I don't remember the Batten W2 having that chamber. Some one may have milled the crap out of them. It makes the decks thin and if the CR gets high enough it may be tough to keep head gaskets sealed.

One other thing. This I learned the hear way and only mention this so others don't do the same.

Look at the fuel pattern in that chamber. I hate that combustion chamber. It's a royal PITA. I can also see where all the material has been remove around the guide. This makes the chamber issue way worse. I also expect that that head has a 2.08 valve, and the bowls will be at least 92% of the valve diameter. In that case, I would use a good 50 degree valve job on both the intake and exhaust and don't make the port any bigger than it is. It's too big as it is now.

Just my random thoughts from looking at your pictures. I wouldn't let the chamber issues and porting sway you much, unless the decks are real thin.

Thanks for the thoughts. I will definitely get them checked out and pressure tested, valve guides checked, and measured before I buy them.

I believe he said its a 2.08 valve. I'll make sure they check the deck thickness too.



I guess it depends on how much it's street or race if I would use that much cylinder head, I would set the dividing line at 50% with that much head. To me, that's a domed piston balls to the wall race head.

Therein lies the dilemma. My car is in a grey area right now and I'm not sure what direction to go so I've definitely got some thinking to do before I buy anything or have my old heads ported. Do I make it a full on drag car, do I just make it a street car, or a combo of the two like it currently is... It seems like I have to compromise to have it do both and its costing more to try and do it too. With it having a 4 speed and 540 ft/lbs of torque and being mini tubbed it destroyed my last clutch within a year with only going to the track a couple times so that's why the motor and trans is currently out and why I'm even considering either porting my heads or buying these W2's.

If I go the combo street/strip car I would either port my Eddy's or buy these W2's in which case I really should sell my 23 spline and get an 18 spline. If I go full race I'd likely sell my 23 spline and convert it to an auto. Still would be getting the eddy heads ported or get the W2's with that option. Last but not least option is I make it just be a street car in which case I just replace my clutch, keep the 23 spline, and not upgrade the heads or switch them out but then I'd have to start saving up for a separate drag car which might take years and years and years to save up for :/. decisions decisions