928Myles

Hi,
I have been gathering the necessary parts to replace the head gaskets on my 1990 S4 (90k miles). (Preventative maintenance)

Someone is selling a pair of the 2R S4 heads 'locally' and I thought it might be worth getting them in case I get any nasty surprises when I pull mine off the block.
Can anyone with an experienced eye please tell me if the heads are 'any good'. Photo's are for the seller's listing so the best I can get at the moment.




Many thanks.
Myles

SwayBar

It's a little difficult to assess with those pictures.

What's included with the heads and how much are they?

928Myles

Swaybay,
Looks like 3 cams (which I don't need), cam caps and the valves.
The seller is looking for $1500 to $2000 for the pair (+ shipping). Equates to around $US 1k - 1.3k.

Myles

ptuomov

you get complete running engines sometimes for that price in the US

SwayBar

This - I would pass at that price.

Mrmerlin

it would be nice to wait to buy these before you remove the ones you have these look like they have little corrosion,
they should be magnafluxed to check for cracks,
and first checked to see if they have been cut as this could change the final dimension.
NOTE the earlier heads have different length head bolts compared to your 3R heads

928Myles

I must admit I am confused over the head designations.
I did a search on rennlist which didn't help.
I read the workshop manual which seemed to indicate the 2R heads were the start of the reinforced bosses / 20mm longer bolts.

Is there a consensus on this? (Or am I opening a can of worms?)

Myles

GregBBRD

Those appear to be a nice set of heads, which appear to only need a light skim cut on the deck surface.
And if they are raised boss heads, the price is very good.....probably a good investment. (I'd certainly buy them, if this was the case.)

On the other hand, you can do a lot of work to an existing head (which has the raised bosses, for sure) for $1,200.

Ask for a picture of the camshaft side of the heads. Pretty easy to see the bosses.
Then decide.

928Myles

Below are the best photo's I can get currently that (might) show the bosses.
Can anyone confirm if they are the raised type?





Thanks
Myles

GregBBRD

Yes. They are.
You can see the raised bosses on the exhaust side, in the top picture. You can also see the center raised boss (on the exhaust side), in the
bottom picture.
I'd be all over those heads...I've seen so many '88 heads with cracks, I am really hesitant to put one of these engines back together with the original heads....and that is a great price on those.

928Myles

Many thanks Greg. Appreciate your input.
Will see if I can get them for 'insurance' purposes. That way (Murphy's law), I won't need them.

Myles

GregBBRD

I'll buy them, if you don't need them. Even with shipping to the US, that would be a good price.

928Myles

Thanks Greg.
Will keep that in mind.

Myles

ptuomov

Out of curiosity, what have the recent transaction prices been on complete 1R heads?

V2Rocket

2-3 years ago i barely got $400 for a good clean pair of 1R S4 heads.
they went off to Wisconsin as cores for rebuild.