Can you un-port a head?

[Mikewazowski]

Hey team, I've got a W58 L4 head (closed chamber) that I bought ages ago, and I'd like to use it on my wagon. However, a while ago one of my mates took it to a place (he was planning on using it) and they said that it had been ported out too much and was no good (ported before I got it)

I'll take it into a cylinder head place and get it looked at. However, I was just wondering, can heads be un-ported? Would it be worth saving one of these close chamber W58 heads? (it is my understanding that they aren't common)

[Bartman]

it wont be cheap. You'd have to have the ports filled up by a tig, and then reported to standard. Or maybe you could use some other material (Devcon maybe) and return to the standard port size.
Personhally, I'd just hunt down an A87 and be done with it.

[Mikewazowski]

The head in my wagon is an A87, but apparently there is no way of knowing if it is closed or open port without taking the head off. It was my understanding that the W58 heads ran larger inlet valves as well which I guess is better?

[85_Z31]

having a cylinder head welded and re ported is going to be very time consuming and expensive. That type of work is usually done by people extracting every last bit of power from their expensive engines.

When i did the porting job on my own cylinder heads I spent approximately 3 hours on each port just doing die grinding and 80 grit sanding rolls. I can't bear to imageine the cost if welding was added to all of that.


2 hours a port x 8 @ standard workshop rates = $1120
4 hours a port x 8 @ standard workshop rates = $2240

Pretty expensive repair !~!

Another option is using an A87 head and do a simple port match job, remove some casting flash and give the existing port a decent finish with an 80 grit sanding roll you will get a good gain and also not have to worry about exhaust ports with paper thin walls.

this way you can have a bit of extra performance without getting into trouble as you are effectivly giving the existing port of a bit of a tidy up as apposed to an actual porting job
( which should definitly be left to an engine builder )

No reason you can't have some value for money & extra performance with an A87 head.

[Mikewazowski]

Yeah, it looks as if I may have to track down another head. (I'll get this one checked first though to confirm that it is stuffed). It is a shame though, as apparently these closed chamber W58 heads are fairly rare, and it would be good to use it. Really wish the guy who owned it before me hadn't tampered with it.

[85_Z31]

the engine shop may explain that it is sound and fine to be used.

but the flip side to that is if it has been ported out quite far it may only suit a particular engine combonation
( cams, headers , compression ratio )

and if you are able to use it keep in mind that your headers / intake manifold may need some reshaping or port matching which could add extra cost and time.

i hope you get it figured out anyways good luck Mike.

[Godzilladat]

This made me think of an interesting thread on performance forums, not sure if you guys can hit this without a login

http://performanceforums.com/forums/sho ... t=67248952" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Mikewazowski]

^ That is a good read. That guy does some awesome work. If only every mechanic/reconditioner/etc took that much pride in their work.

[Godzilladat]

^ That is a good read. That guy does some awesome work. If only every mechanic/reconditioner/etc took that much pride in their work.

Yeah he does, if you view his topics on that site he builds an L20b 2.3L stroker, pics from start to finish.