TD vs NA heads - how do I tell the difference?

[vwmike]

I got this cylinder head with all the TD stuff, but it is a reman head. The guy said it came off an 85 Golf which seems odd, but it has a K24. The head also had hydraulic lifters which I would think should only come on maybe 87 or later engines....but i could be wrong? The part number on the head is 068 103 373 D which doesn't come up in Etka or anything. So, I really have no idea where this head casting came from, so i'd like to figure that out if possible. Thanks!

[janb]

these guys can help you ID
http://www.aluminumheads.com/   For more info call: 503-230-0852,
Or toll free: 1-800-978-HEAD (4323)  (portland, OR USA)
  Talk to Wayne or Chuck

As far as I know, this would be a '86+ head, and I believe the Hyd heads are all turbo friendly (alloy + Valve material)  I note the TD heads that are mechanical often have a dimple on the prechamber (unless faced to minimum thickness)  I have not noticed the dimple on my Hyd heads (1.6 or 1.9's)

janb

[fspGTD]

Looks like the hydraulic diesel heads are different for whatever reason...  According to ETKA, The ME hydraulic head is part number is 068 103 351 AA while the MF hydraulic head is 068 103 351 AD.

Edit: the '91 eco head uses the same part number as the MF (1.6lTD) hydraulic head, by the way.

[fspGTD]

Old posts on head identification (mostly solid lifter stuff though)
http://www.hostboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4037&t=513

http://www.hostboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4037&t=234

http://www.hostboard.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4037&t=439

[Peter]

the older turbo heads are different in the type of exhaust valves used as compared to the N/A heads

[type53b_gtd]

On 1.6 hydro heads at least,  the casting part number ends in a "D" for normally aspirated, and a "T" for turbo applications, including ECO.

The ETKA part number is not for the casting, it's for an assembled head, complete with valve train.

[Wayland]

I believe the Hyd heads are all turbo friendly (alloy + Valve material)

Can someone who knows this for certain please confirm, along with leads on where they gathered that info.  I have an 86 with hyd head.  Casting number is blah blah blah D and I also have a head from a '91 eco blah blah blah T.  Would love to find that the '86 is a TD head.
Andrew L

I just checked my favorite online parts supplier, and they list the same int. and ex. valves TD and NA for hydro heads.

[smutts]

The pechambers on both my SB turbo heads 1990 & 1991 have dimples, both heads are hydraulic.

[burn_your_money]

Hydraulic heads started in 1986.5. MK2 Golfs never came with a turbo in North America.

[Rabbit on Roids]

wow, i never realised thast theres no such thing as a TD golf in america...

[8v-of-fury]

Did  Mk2 Jetta's come with turbo's in North America? Why didn't Golfs if Jettas did?

[veedubcanuck]

Did  Mk2 Jetta's come with turbo's in North America? Why didn't Golfs if Jettas did?

 

 The Jettas did come with the TD. Don't know why the Golfs didn't....

[Peter]

Did  Mk2 Jetta's come with turbo's in North America? Why didn't Golfs if Jettas did?

 

 The Jettas did come with the TD. Don't know why the Golfs didn't....

...by the time 1984 came about, there was no real difference between the Jetta and Rabbit except that one was a "hatchback" and the other had a "trunk" and sales were going down fast along with customer dissatisfaction...so in '85 with VW's NAm. introduction of their new improved body make over (already 4-5 yr old body style in Europe), hence the Golf including the Jetta, a new separation was created between the cars to help boost sales...the Jetta got the "turbo and many upgraded items" (springs, sway bars,many lesser items were different and of a better quality, even though they looked the same) and probably most importantly, manufactured in Germany...the Golf was produced in the US.(Penn. I believe) with slightly inferior parts as compared to the Jetta...and during this time the US. manufacturing plant became nothing but an industrial "nightmare" for VW and if I remember correctly closed its doors 3yrs later

[dennis]

I got this cylinder head with all the TD stuff, but it is a reman head. The guy said it came off an 85 Golf which seems odd, but it has a K24. The head also had hydraulic lifters which I would think should only come on maybe 87 or later engines....but i could be wrong? The part number on the head is 068 103 373 D which doesn't come up in Etka or anything. So, I really have no idea where this head casting came from, so i'd like to figure that out if possible. Thanks!

My 85 TD head is 068-103-373N. One NA head is 373F, and another is just 373 with no letter.

[lord_verminaard]

I was always told that all VW reman heads were TD spec.  Initially, the NA and TD heads were different- either casting, valves, or both, but all factory reman heads are supposedly the same.

I don't know that for sure, just going on what I've read.

Brendan