cylinder head casting number

[chrissev]

Hello:  anyone with a 1.6 diesel engine with cylinder head casting #373 F be able to tell me if this is a hydraulic or a mechanical lifter head?  I know 373 D is hydraulic because that is what I have on my car right now, but don't know if the suffixes go up or down (ie would all letters after D be hydraulic, or all letters D and before that be hydraulic).

Chris

[chrissev]

I know that there are some "E" and "F" heads that are solid lifter versions.  I have also seen "D" on n/a motors.  It seems that the number on the head is not a "part" number but rather a casting number.  It seems that similar casting numbers were used for solid, hyd, TD and N/A.

How's that for helpful!!

The solid and hyd heads are easily identifiable visually.  The solid lifter has a depression running vertically between #1 and #2 injectors.  The hyd heads have a vertical hump there.

Andrew

thanks for the help.  Do you know any way I could tell, without seeing the head, whether it is hydraulic or solid lifter?  Any numbers on the head I could check?  The head I am thinking about buying is in New York and I was going to have it shipped to me (I am in Toronto)

Chris

[chrissev]

I don't know specifically of any numbers.  The vertical hump on the hyd head corresponds to an additional hole at the the headgasket surface.  Any way to get a picture sent?  Anyone you can ask to check?  It is very easy to tell the difference with the right info.

Andrew

thanks.  I'm going to call them today again and find out.  I should be able to explain to them what to look for.  Also wondering, if it is an NA head but it is hydraulic, does anything prevent me from bolting it onto my turbo engine?

[fspGTD]

373F cylinder head casting number ending indicates it is a 12mm solid lifter 1.6lNA.

check out this related thread, and the link inside it to another thread on the old forum, for additional info:
http://www.vwdiesel.net/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=2081

[vwpieces]

To add some more info to this topic... I also was wondering the same about my head on my 1.6l TD

engine code MD yes I am sure of that, it is a VW of Canada remanufactured motor. I still have the sticker that was on the block. Said something like suitable replacement for engine code MF.
The part # on the head is 068 103 373 N
It also has the vertical indentaion between the last 2 injectors on the timing belt side. I assume these are #1 & 2 from a prevoius reply.

My conclusion is I have a solid lifer head...

My motor was removed from an 89 TD Jetta that was badly rear ended. Originally from NH. I bought it in RI & now it is back in service in my 83 TD Jetta.

If this info is true, I NEED to do a valve adjustment. I have put 8000 miles on it & who knows when if ever they were adjusted. There is about 38-41K miles on it now, total. My experience with gassers would say it is hydraulic but i know not all cars after 84 were hydraulic. A1 JH motors used solid lifer heads till 89 in the cabby & scirocco 8V.

Worse part is I put a rubber VC gasket on it last year before I installed the motor & I do not remember seeing the shims in the lifter buckets.
I have never owned a hydraulic lifter VW motor ever so I ask this stupid question... Does a hydraulic lifter have adjustment shims? I did take off the oil cap to see if the shims were visible & that did not help. All I saw was cam.

I have the tools & shims to do the adjustment. I hav ethe Bently for an A1 till 84 but no book for the A2. Are the clearance specs the same for the A1 CY as the A2 MF engines?