Front vs Rear Head

[oldfaithful]

I've been looking thru ebay and noticed that when folks are selling heads for the xvz12, xvz13, or vmax, they always specify that its a front or rear. I've looked at mine and can't tell...is there a difference between the front and rear? Can they be interchanged?

 

Thanks!

[dingy]

I've been looking thru ebay and noticed that when folks are selling heads for the xvz12, xvz13, or vmax, they always specify that its a front or rear. I've looked at mine and can't tell...is there a difference between the front and rear? Can they be interchanged?

 

Thanks!

 

The heads are made from the same castings. Only a machining difference between them.

 

Main thing is the cam chain tensioner & oil galley tapped hole is machined opposite.

Front head, tensioner is on intake side. Rear head, tensioner is on exhaust side.

 

If you look at a front head, on the boss opposite the cam tensioner hole there is a front designation. On the rear head, there is a rear designation. Unmachined casting has both Front & Rear cast into it. Machining for respective hole removes opposite head wording.

 

Once machined, they are not interchangable.

 

Gary

[oldfaithful]

Thanks for the education, that's helpful!