Ken,
Read your story and the ordeal that you had to endure.
Glad to hear that you got your vanagon fixed and made it back home safely.
Since you are a professional mechanic, I thought to ask
you a few questions. Hope you don't mind.

I'm quite interested in your opinion since my own van is also starting
to get up there in miles, but still has the original head gaskets and
heads.
Runs fine with no leaks etc.

1) Were there any warnings or minor symptoms, months before,
 eg, loosing coolant?
2) Could you tell by looking at the head gaskets, where visible,
that they were getting cracked?
Externally my head gaskets still look ok.
3) How many miles were on that set of heads, if you know?
4) Do you have any advice to other vanagon owners to prevent
this from happening on a long-distance trip?
For example, periodic replacement of head gaskets, even if
engine runs fine. It seems crazy to take a good running motor apart.
Any thoughts of yours are appreciated.
Harald Rust
'90 westy