glutamodo 
The Android
Joined: July 13, 2004
Posts: 26524
Location: Douglas, WY
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 Posted: Sun May 01, 2011 2:39 pm Post subject: |
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I wish Progressive Refinements listed part and casting numbers because what's in the the VW1200 Workshop Manual printed by Robert Bentley is a bit confusing. It lists a lot of changes in the early 60s on the cylinder heads. And many of those changes were not reflected in changes in the part number - VW didn't really get the 1200 head perfected until they got rid of those problematic "long studs" in early 1965.
One problem though with the Bentley manual is they list cylinder head part numbers in many instances - and those numbers are not the same as the ones stamped onto the cylinder head. The number on the head is the part number of the basic casting of the head, they had a different number for the final, finished, assembled cylinder head. And it's kind of confusing the way they have all the changes listed and discussed.
Among the changes in the early 60s discussed in the intake manifold and cylinder head sections were: the type of valve cover/gasket used, the fact they changed to a larger diameter intake manifold, lots of changes in those "long studs" to prevent them from leaking or breaking and then the final change to the much better short stud head a few months into the 1965 model year.
Personally - since no one really sees the cylinder heads from outside, I'd go with the good 1965 cylinder heads (need longer upper studs) and not worry about it. Or the replacement "F" series round-boss, but short-stud heads that VW made in the later 1960s if you want the best in the round-boss type heads. But you'd best match up your cylinder head to your intake manifold.
If the casting numbers follow the full part number sequence, then you have this:
But, then if you go to the cylinder head section you find this:
The Bentley never discusses the "F" casting-number heads, probably because they were issued later.
Still, since VW had SO many issues with cylinder heads in the early 60s, it was very common for heads to have been changed, rigged, swapped, etc and it's pretty unusual to find something all original - nor would I expect to find one that way unless it was a very low milage car.
-Andy |
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