question about head type by year

[deQuincey]

hi
i am being offered a 3.0 cs engine from a car dated 1974
the only value that i see in it is the possibility of stocking a head for the future
but here comes the question
i know that old heads are very delicate and prone to cracks when overheated due to special construction of water passages (the opening when you look at the head is similar to a kidney shape)
later heads were changed to cylindrical passages, so you can see only holes in the head instead

there is a great write up on heads that says that this type of improved heads were from 78 on, but i remember repairing recently an engine from a 1975 csi and the head was of the later type, so the good one with cylindrical passages

so after this messy introduction, the question is,

will a 1974 engine have an older or newer type of head ?

thanks for your help

 

[Polariscsl]

Well I'm not certain, but from my experience lat 70's and early 80's 3.0 heads are the later design. I have a 1973 head in stock and that is definitely the older design. I would guess that the 74 one would also be old design too

 

[Honolulu]

How do you know the year of the head, after all this time?

Isn't there a casting date on it? You did not mention this...

 

[Stevehose]

Mine has "72" cast in the side of it as well as the thermostat housing.

How do you know the year of the head, after all this time?

Isn't there a casting date on it? You did not mention this...

 

[deQuincey]

Mine has "72" cast in the side of it as well as the thermostat housing.

+1
exactly there is a circle with a number on it, smth like 71, 73, 83,...

steve, how is your "72" head ? older or newer style ?

 

[Stevehose]

I am sure it's the older style. That's why I beefed up the radiator and upgraded the fan, so I can hopefully keep the head in tact.

+1
exactly there is a circle with a number on it, smth like 71, 73, 83,...

steve, how is your "72" head ? older or newer style ?

 

[Jon B]

Mine has "72" cast in the side of it as well as the thermostat housing.

Photos attached of head and thermostat housing dates on my own '72...

 

[DerSchwede]

If the head is from 74, it's the older style. The new style was introduced in two steps: 1st in June 79 with a better casting but still the old style, then the second step about a year later with the later style casting with new design.

Remember the older type is not bad if being cared for. My 3,0S engine has the original head and more tham 300.000 km on it. It made it from Frankfurt to Nürnberg (263 km) in 95 minutes and worked perfectly! Still does by the way...

 

[deQuincey]

hi derschwede

me actual head is from year 85
but i can not tell from which car it was obtained
what models share the same head ?
btw, i maintain the original mechanical pump

regards

 

[echappe]

you might find this informative:

http://www.firstfives.org/faq/cylinder_head/cylinder_head_faq.htm

 

[deQuincey]

you might find this informative:

http://www.firstfives.org/faq/cylinder_head/cylinder_head_faq.htm

thanks, it is a very nice doc