How difficult are "D" heads to find, and how expensive would they be?

 

They are extremely hard to find and will cost atleast 2k

 

It wouldn't be worth the investment unless you were restoring a car that came with them from the factory. I've looked for years hoping to find a set in the lower price range for a W30 project car. Before the economy crashed in 2008 the price was around $5000. Now it seems that $3,000-3,500 is more in line for a nice set that haven't been ported or milled.

John

 

From 442.com: Rare Set of D heads from a 1969 Hurst/Olds great condition. Call Warren if interested 480 5708762 Vvics442@aol.com 480 5708762 Scottsdale Az AD#71273 (edited to show only the heads).
1968/69 W30 Hurst Olds D heads, beaded, pressure checked, surfaced 0.007, valve job with new guides, new exhaust and intake valves, new springs, valve stem seals, spring shims and brass freeze plugs, look new and ready to bolt on: $4975.00, jwmachr@hotmail.com 540-330-3423 Roanoke VA AD#71162 (edited to show only the heads).

 

That's $2K EACH, by the way...

 

Somewhere there is a guy who will alter your heads for the letter you want. He can also alter your cast iron intake manifold. Considering there is actually very little difference in stock BBO head flow from A through H why not? The concours Corvette guys do it. I think I saw the service offered in 442.com

 

Talk to Chris Witt (Octania) on this forum. He has postings I think in this forum (or ROP, or both) about altering heads to look like the rare ones.

By the way, as far as pricing for real D heads, I found and bought a virgin set from a guy named Brian for around $3200.00 back in 2012. They were pulled off a 68 W-30 wreck in early to mid 70's (I believe he said) and his dad had them in dry storage since. It is good I bought them when I did because I wouldn't be able to afford such indiscretions today (business is slower now). They are still in dry storage, just now my dry storage (as I like driving my 68 too much to take it apart)!

 

I paid $3300 for a virgin set last fall that really just need a valve job to run. There are plenty out there, everyone asks around $3k, you'll have to sift through them to find the set you want. Some are virgin (harder to find), some have machine work done with no receipts, some have machine work done with knowledge of what's there.

I sold a set that needed everything (guides, seats, milling) for $1500, had people lined up for them. They were in pretty rough shape, but passed a pressure test and mag check, so they were good cores.