aaz cylinder head part number differences

[mk3pete]

I need a new head and im looking at purchasing one from ebay part number 028103351J 8mm valve stems
my old head which is cracked has a part number 028103373J

Iv worked out that part number 028103351B has 7mm valve stems

Is their any difference with the first two part numbers?

[mk3pete]

http://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/VOLKSWAGEN-AAZ-CYLINDER-HEAD-CYLINDER-BLOCK_1068094065.html
this is the head im looking at, only its through ebay.

[mk3pete]

http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/another-aaz-question_topic36016.html

found this if anyones interested

[vanbcguy]

The AAZ heads are pretty much all the same. The valve stem size is actually just the guides, you can put either 7mm or 8mm in the head to make it work with whatever valves you have.

The China copy heads will probably skimp on some of the areas where more expensive metals are needed, like precups. VW uses iconel while lots of cheap ones just use steel. Guess which lasts longer... Exhaust valves too.

I'd go with a used factory VW head rebuilt by a reputable shop as my first choice.

[theman53]

I don't know about the 1.9 heads but the 1.6 had either steel or Inconel, no rhyme or reason that I have found.

[mk3pete]

Good to know, well the head is bare so I was always going to source my own cups.
Was going to order from nappa as Im pretty sure there the best quality.

[mk3pete]

The casting quality is something im a bit worried about though. Anyone had experience with the cheaper heads not holding up as well as a German cast head?

[vanbcguy]

I don't think the casting itself has really been a problem for anyone. It's the "other" stuff like valve train parts where you really notice the difference.

[mk3pete]

ok so the valves guides and seals i bought from hans are no good  ?

[burn_your_money]

ok so the valves guides and seals i bought from hans are no good  ?

Anything from him is no good. Sorry.

[vanbcguy]

Quality valve guides and seals are CHEAP to buy and extremely labour intensive to replace on their own.  That is not a place I'd be looking to save a couple of bucks.  Excessive guide wear or a leaking stem seal means pulling the head.

GOOD valve stem seals are cheap:

7mm: http://idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=659

or 8mm if needed: http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1992

Valve guides: http://www.idparts.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=1264

Ha... just looking, Prothe's parts are actually MORE expensive.  Wonder how he managed that...