What do you think?

Ok maybe I have too much time on my hands but I ran the late 70's/'81 250's/390's engines. Then I ran the '83/250, the 83/430, to me the earlier case with the smaller crankcase had more power. I think my 83/250wr was kind of doggish, she ran and pulled but not like the earlier case. Now my 84/250wr is a different bike than my 83/250wr is. It has it all in one package.

Ever compare the two engines. I had a 72/250wr I rebuilt but it sold before I rode it. I never had a chance to compare it. I know the castiron sleeve was different. When the bore cleaned up with my sunnen hone it was tough honing it to the correct size, I was so close to the finish size I couldn't put the coarse stones back in. I'm thinking the early 70's sleeves had more nickel content in them. One a castiron gets that glaze on it, it's tougher than steel wear wise that's why they use castiron on disc brakes, brake drums and flywheels for clutches.

So what do you think about the 70's cases?

I suspect you're on a different level than I am Bigbill. I've ridden a grand total of 3 huskies. My '85 WRX, '86 WR, and 7X-something Auto that my old man passed up on buying 20-odd years ago. Sorta' wish I'd convinced him to pick up the Auto, but then again, he doesn't have passion for the bikes the way I do, and it probably would have been parked after a break-down at some point. Sometime soon, maybe my '79, but that doesn't exactly equip me to answer your question, does it....

I have 3 250s. A 75 wr which I love the motor. Probably the best I think. I have a 76 cr which is good, not as responsive as the 75 and I have a 83wr. The 83 has minimal low end but I have learned to ride it and enjoy the bike. My buddy has a 84 wr and he rode my 83 and he felt both motors were very similar.

My 82 250s have much more peak power than the '81-older but the older engines have a much wider usable power range.