W-2's - Moparchat

Tarrbabe · #1 05-03-2002, 12:53 AM

How would a set of W-2's run on the street on a street/strip engine if you don't plan on turning over 6500 and 3.55 gears?

sanborn · #2 05-03-2002, 08:56 AM

They would do just fine. Use the standard intake/exhaust port with a good 3 angle valve job. To help extend the life of the valve work, use a wide seat(.080") especially on the exhaust. This helps to dissipate the heat of the valve into the head.

My memory may be fading (along with my hair) but I seem to remember punching additional holes in the Fel Pro 8553 gasket to allow water to flow from the block into the head along the bottom of the gasket(around the exhaust valves which is where you want the water flow anyway).

I think you will have a problem keeping the engine down at 6500RPM. When the stock type heads are giving out about there, the W2s will still be going strong.

Don't know if you have already purchased a set; but, early used sets are becoming more plentiful. The early sets all had open chambers, many racing groups only allow the newest closed chamber heads. That means the earlier set are obsolete.

Tarrbabe · #3 05-03-2002, 01:33 PM

I don't have a set yet but was thinking of getting a set if I can find them for a decent price. As far as I know, nobody has outlawed them for street use or bracket racing. Thanks for the info.

sanborn · #4 05-03-2002, 01:53 PM

Excuse me, I was thinking about Nascar, Hooters, etc. (I am an oval track racer). I know one shop in Nashville sold 2-3(obsolete, open chamber) sets last winter for about $500 with Manley Severe Duty valves, springs, retainers, locks.

If you want I can ask around to see if any more sets are out there.

72Challenger · #5 05-03-2002, 02:49 PM

I'd be interested in an assembled set for that price.

70Barracuda · #6 05-03-2002, 04:50 PM

I have been thinking about a head upgrade myself. W-2s are great however, with them comes new valve gear and new headers. Correct me if I am wrong.
Now I am wondering about sending my X heads to Hughes for a $1000 port job that will outflow the W-2s acording to them and still use my gear and headers.
Or the Edelbrocks. How do theese compare?
Whats a guy to do?

70AARCuda · #7 05-03-2002, 09:24 PM

Hughes standard head ported might out flow the stock W2, but doing some basic porting the bowls of the W2 heads would probably change those figures.

I would not spend that much money on standard heads, I would invest in the future. Like a set of W2s, cause there is more potential in the long run.

tony

duster360 · #8 05-04-2002, 12:24 AM

i picked up my W-s from a local circle track guy, complete setup with a intake for $500 just had to add new valve springs and a valve job. same deal they were outlawed racer couldnt use them anymore

72Challenger · #9 05-04-2002, 01:53 AM

Mopar Muscle did a port job on a set of long-valve econo W-2s in Nov. '01. Flowed over 300 CFM, and it wasn't radical porting either. Remeber the econos CAN use standard valve gear. The race units have the rocker pedestals milled off, and special stands are used to support special rockers. These heads get very expensive because of this special valve gear (I guess unless you find a used set, good deal Duster360!) but the upside is there's no pushrod pinch in the port. So you can (with the right porting) get way better flow numbers.

BTW Mopar Muscle later put those heads on a 408 stroker and made over 600HP!

leon441 · #10 05-04-2002, 07:40 PM

You still have to buy intake rockers for econos and intake manifold and the exhaust port shape is different. Econos used to have both stock and W2 bolt pattern for exhaust though. Some grinding for port match and away you go.

rumblefish360 · #11 05-04-2002, 09:05 PM

Leon & all;

The rockers for the W-2 are the same as stock 340 T/A parts.
Of course nobody really has them. So if you went W-2, the exhaust rocker is the one your after. The intake is standard. Although your better of buying them all new anyway.

70Barracuda · #12 05-04-2002, 10:10 PM

Rumblefish,
so how do your Edelbrocks match up to the W-2s? I am interested in how fast your car is. I have a similiar set up. 4 sp and 4:10s 340.
thanks
Tim

Mopardad · #13 05-04-2002, 10:12 PM

Rumblefish don't you have that backwards, isn't it the intake thats the offset one? Fact is, its the Intake

moeflo · #14 05-04-2002, 11:46 PM

W-2's are a nice piece. I wouldn't spend anything upgrading X- heads, unles I was doing a restroration. I don't know if things are different, now, but several years back, I saw a Hughs ad, in a magazine, and to put it kindly, the flow numbers were "enhanced".

rumblefish360 · #15 05-06-2002, 11:42 AM

70Barracuda;

I can't answer that fully due to the fact that I have not run the car at the track yet. Right now, I'd rather take the time to do the body. Cars ugly. But I will take it to the track soon.
Go to http://edelbrock.com/ and click on mag, stories and scrool own to feeling light headed. Scrool down again to find flow #'s for both heads. The Edel heads do very well for the street without the expense of the W-2 The W-2 has way more potential.

Mopardad;

Oooops. Did I goof?

Ohhhh, ya got me then. Thanks.

rumblefish360 · #16 05-06-2002, 11:44 AM

http://edelbrock.com/automotive/index.html

70Barracuda · #17 05-06-2002, 01:40 PM

Rumblefish,
thanks for the link. This is my this winters project, so, I have some time. Maybe I am in search for a new intake too. I have a Victor!

Nightri1 · #18 05-06-2002, 03:05 PM

70 Barracuda,
Put that money into a set of these. No other head can match the potential.

moeflo · #19 05-06-2002, 07:33 PM

Nightri, sorry, can't tell which head, you've got, by photo. If it's a W-5-up, no argument. If, it's the standard Edelbrock, I got to side with rumblefish, that a w-2 can take you farther.

With enough motor, you will, eventually run into cross-sectional problems at the push-rod juncture, w/o the offset rocker.

Mopardad · #20 05-06-2002, 08:59 PM

Isn't that a Brodix B1 BA

Nightri1 · #21 05-06-2002, 09:41 PM

Moeflo,
I would not have an Edelbrock. The shop I work in is WD with Brodix. The actual pair I own are from the annual auction that Brodix has every fall. Mine are the B1 BA-MC. The MC stands for "moved centerline" which allows for a 2.150" intake valve. With the work I will do to them and the port work done by a good friend (he has been professionally porting heads now for 20+ years) they will perform very well. Nothing against Edelbrocks.

moeflo · #22 05-06-2002, 10:45 PM

nightri, I 100% agree, on your choice, and describition. The MC, is a very nice piece, and, in reguards to producing a casting, within a given package, Brodix, is my overwhelming choice.

All a guy standing in front of a raw head can ask, is suffecient material to work with, within the confines of a given package. Brodix, constantly supplies that. Some other companies, seem to have decided just what the finished shape should be, and have cast along their precieved ideas.. Brodix allows the end-developer more freedom within the package.

Either aluminum is more expensive eveywhere else, or water-jacket is real expensive in Arkansas.

Also, nothing against Edelbrock, as these two heads, are not intended for the same market.

sanborn · #23 05-08-2002, 01:48 PM

Since this post is about W2s, thought I would pass this along. A friend has had some bad luck recently and is going to part with some SB parts.

I am going to list what is there, if you have interest, contact me at sanborn@cafes.net.

Fully ported W2s, matching Holley intake, professionally done by Automotive Specialists in Concord NC, 2.08"/1.60" valves, roller springs, titanium retainers, etc. Not Cherry, but useable.

New "X" block, 4.000" finished bore, preped by McCandless several years ago, never run.

Other misc plunder, Milodon gear drive(new), Eagle rods(new), Comp Cams offset roller lifters(used).

Prices are very reasonable.

leon441 · #24 05-08-2002, 10:00 PM

I have owned several sets of TA heads and W2 Heads the rockers will interchange in some cases. Be very carefull aggressive cam profiles can get you in trouble here. The offset on a the Intake is different I don't have my manual in front of me to give the specs. Harland sharp used to make both I think they sell you a W2 setup for a TA if you want one now. I had a set of mullins TA heads that were epoxied in the intake runner because the pushrod got to close with a W2 rocker arm from harland sharp. There may have been a way to correct this run an offset cup roller lifter but I got the heads after this had been done from Herb McCandlers

Leigh · #25 05-09-2002, 06:39 AM

Let me know how the MC's turn out. Some flow numbers would be good. I've got ported B1BA's that flow 303 and 227, and would like to step up, but don't want to throw away all the high dollar 59* rotating componets. I think I could make 725 with those MC's on the 388" short engine. I've inquired numerous times, and have never talked to someone using them.

Nightri1 · #26 05-09-2002, 08:49 AM

Leigh,
I am trying to get them done this year. Have too many irons in the fire and this is one of the lesser ones right now. I need to get a pair of valves so I can size the guides and cut the seats before I send them to Fl. for some "sun-tanning." That's where my head porter lives now. Also need the correct intake gaskets to be able to mark the intake port match to the manifold. I have an original 340" block that is 4.070 with Ross pistons and a Lunati roller in the .625 lift range. The real problem is that I had these parts before all the new MP blocks became available. I too do not want to have to try to sell these items and start over. I will sell the recon'd 340 rods and replace them with Crower pieces. I am sure that any serious HP will twist them into pretzels. Stay tuned as hopefully I can get them hogged out and put them on our Superflow bench.