How do you know if heads are W2s?

[lemming303]

Where do you find this? Is it in the casting number on the heads?

[Chryco Psycho]

they are very distinctive, the intake ports , a regular intake will not bolt onto it , same with the exhaust , the bolt pattern is totally different , the one i have seen have W2 cast in them as well + the casting #s will give it away as well

[hemiken]

  and oval shaped intake ports are a give away.

[lemming303]

So it has w2 in the casting number or no? Also, are these heads pretty awesome? I've read a few posts about them, but only mentioning them. What were they made for?

[71chally416]

Well they enabled Richard Petty to rack up the biggest point margin victory in NASCAR history in the 70's with his Charger before they were banned and Bob Glidden had low ET and top MPH in every race in NHRA ProStock in his Arrow before they went to the 500 cube rule.  That might lead one to believe they were (and still are) pretty good heads.

In the days before the glut of aftermarket heads for the SBC and Fords they were the cream of the crop and probably the most ripped off design there is with their long valve versions. There are many different versions of them around and some are better than others. Some other aftermarket heads are easier to use and cheaper because of the need for special headers, valve gear and Intakes.   

[lemming303]

All you had to say was Richard Petty