Thanks Justin,
  I remember reading about the bolt diameter difference, I think they are
11 and 12mm. I'm considereing the change becuse I have no history on the
existing head, and the spare is already rebuilt and assembled. I'm putting
on a new head gasket anyway.....so why not??
 Thanks again, Dan

PS. Could I ask for a re-post of the vw diesel specific mailing list,
please??
----------
> From: Justin B. Jensen <jjensen@sprintmail.com>
> To: bertschi <bertschi@BRIGHT.NET>
> Subject: Re:      diesel head identification
> Date: Monday, May 25, 1998 11:49 PM
>
> Dan,
> What you will find that differentiates these cylinder heads is the head
bolt
> diameters.  The older heads used a bolt of 10mm (from memory, I'm not
> positive on the dimension) while the newer heads used bolts of 12mm (once
> again from memory, not positive about dimensions)  If both heads are of
the
> same bolt diameter then they should interchange.  As for gaskets, the
> notches indicate gasket thickness and is relative to the block, not the
> head.  The engines have variations in machining tolerances which resulted
in
> varying deck heights.  The gaskets of varying thickness are to allow for
> piston crown to cylinder head clearance based on the differing deck
heights.
> There is a simple procedure in the Bentley and other manuals covering
this
> engine that will walk you through measuring the piston protrusion above
the
> block deck with the respective piston at top dead center on its stroke.
I
> have never seen a five notch gasket; only one, two and three notches with
> three being the thickest gasket.  The Bentley will give you spec's on the
> thickness of the various gaskets.
>
> >From curiosity, why are you looking to change the head on an engine that
is
> running?
>
> Good luck and regards,
> Justin Jensen
> SLC Utah
> -----Original Message-----
> From: bertschi <bertschi@BRIGHT.NET>
> To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
> Date: Monday, May 25, 1998 7:59 AM
> Subject: diesel head identification
>
>
> >This is for all the diesel heads out there.....
> >I have an '81 pick-up, (I know this is a vanagon list, but I used to own
an
> >'80, and I'm looking  for my next one.....besides, I've found all
vanagon
> >people to be extremely helpful :) going on....my truck came with a
running
> >engine installed, (used from a rabbit sedan) and a basket full of
original
> >parts that were ready to be rebuilt. The head is rebuilt, assembled, and
> >ready to bolt on. But I'm hesitant.....
> >  The head gasket on the truck engine is a 2-notch. (1600cc, right?) The
> >head on the truck has the following casting identification marks....068
103
> >373 F (part number) MEXICO (country of origin) date code in 3 small
circles
> >vertcally, top to bottom are, (5), (3), (12), finally near #4 cyl there
is
> >3ME 5.  When the injector heat shields are removed, the seats are in
good
> >shape with a hole about 1/2" dia.
> >  The rebuilt head came with a 5-notch gasket. (1500cc??) The casting
> >identifications are as follows...068103373 (part number) above the part
> >number is 271, a round knobby as tall the letters, but 3mm thick,
followed
> >by WWO. Below and to the right of the part number is a letter H.
> >(corresponding to the F in the other head?) and on the rotary date
marker,
> >the following numbers are in line with the arrow...15304. (I can't tell
if
> >it is a combo year/Julian date) The heat sink seats on it are on about
1/4"
> >diameter when the heat shields are removed, and one is corroded above
the
> >glow plug.
> >   Bottom line if you're still here......can I use the rebuilt head on
my
> >truck? Are they interchangable? (no liability here, just looking for
> >advice) Is there something else I should look at to determine this?
Should
> >I consider it w/ the corroded seat and smaller holes? Do the bigger
holes
> >give better fuel flow dispersion?
> >  I'm putting on a rebuilt pump and injectors, and I just thought why
not
> >use the rebuilt head now?
> >  Thanks for any help....enjoy your holiday (if you're able to get off
> >work) and please take a moment to rememer the vets who made it possible
for
> >us to live in a society of choice.
> >Dan
> >bertschi@bright.net
> >
>