TheSamba.com :: View topic - difference between 211-101-373 and 311-101-373 heads

Sat Jan 11, 2020 4:02 pm

I've looked and now i think i'm move confused with mix information and comments...... I have a sunken valve seat and want to replace the head on my 1600. the head in the car begins with 311 and the head i have begins with 211..... can i replace the bad head with this one?? what is the difference between the two?? does the suffix mean anything, the big number under the part number?

211-101-373 or 311-101-373

sorry if this topic has been discussed before.

thanks
Mike

Sat Jan 11, 2020 6:32 pm

vwbug14 wrote: I've looked and now i think i'm move confused with mix information and comments...... I have a sunken valve seat and want to replace the head on my 1600. the head in the car begins with 311 and the head i have begins with 211..... can i replace the bad head with this one?? what is the difference between the two?? does the suffix mean anything, the big number under the part number?

211-101-373 or 311-101-373

sorry if this topic has been discussed before.

thanks
Mike

https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=573099&highlight=cylinder+head

Happy reading! :D

Sat Jan 11, 2020 7:23 pm

thanks Bill .. i read it....most of which was way over my head......but it doesn't answer my question.....unless i missed it.. :roll:

i want to know if i can use this head in place of the 311..... I"m only replacing side until it gets warming...

Mike

Sun Jan 12, 2020 1:10 am

The 211-101-373 head was originally for a Type 2 (hence the 211) 1500 engine, while the 311-101-373 was originally for a Type 3 (hence the 311) 1500 engine but was also later used on the Type 1 1500 and 1600 engines. Both should be a square boss/short rocker stud single port head with 35.5mm intake and 32mm exhaust valves. If the T2 head is in good shape you should be fine using it, but I'd advise you first measure the chamber volume and calculate what deck you need to get the correct compression ratio -- it's hard to say if the head has been fly cut or the chamber altered over the years.

Sun Jan 12, 2020 6:12 am

I'm using two different heads in my current rebuild. One is 311 and the other, I think, is a 113. The chamber sizes differ, so shims need to be added to one side to compensate. These shims go on first under the jugs and serve to enlarge the chamber.

Sun Jan 12, 2020 10:31 am

Tom K. wrote: I'm using two different heads in my current rebuild. One is 311 and the other, I think, is a 113. The chamber sizes differ, so shims need to be added to one side to compensate. These shims go on first under the jugs and serve to enlarge the chamber.

Yeah, not the way to do it. [-X

Sun Jan 12, 2020 12:34 pm

There might be a difference between “can you” and “should you” wit the obvious next question of why which starts with why VW used different heads for t1 t2 t3 .I will be interested in knowing the answers from those more learned than me.

S

Tue Jan 14, 2020 5:09 am

Type 3 1600 engines have a higher compression ratio compared to Type 1/Type 2 1600 engines (7.7:1/7.5:1). This could be the reason.

Tue Jan 14, 2020 9:24 am

I think some later Type 3 (FI) heads had a threaded mount for the TS2 sensor. If it doesn't get in the way of Type 1 tin, they should be compatible. The chambers, valves, and deck height MUST match in size and shape if you care about smoothness, efficiency, and power.

Robbie

Tue Jan 14, 2020 2:48 pm

if you are just trying to make the car go for a short time the head will work.
if the chamber is a different size than the other side the compression on one side will be different than the other. is it enough for you to notice probably not. it is not ideal to mismatched heads but ive taken many engines apart that had mis matched heads on them and they ran. theres an old book late 70s how to rebuild vw engines this has a great parts reference and explains in detail.