Mark, I also have an 85 westy 243,000 miles, have done the head job on both
sides. First time I did not spend enough time cleaning up the O-ring grove
on the out side end of the cylinders. The O ring did not sit all the way in
the grove because of some old O ring or other junk, when the head went back
on the O ring was damaged. I got the same problems you are experiencing.
There is also an O ring at the other end of the cylinders that may cause the
same problem, if they got cooked. Good luck
Joe B.
85 Westy
Narragansett RI

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of
McComas_Glenn
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2000 6:22 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: head compression leak again!#$%!

Mark -------  Sorry to read abt your grief with head sealing problems.
Sounds like time to find a pallet and ship the SOB to Boston.  Can't speak
to your Vanagon specifically; but when I was rebuilding early Type 1 and 2
engines with the help of a great tutor, we always ground the cylinder jugs
into the heads prior to assembling.  Never got the whistling sound that some
VWs developed.  A little valve grinding compound, rotate the jug in the head
until you have a consistent-looking seating area.  Of course a thorough
cleanup afterward.  This procedure would be much more difficult with a
waterleaker...... but I would like to know what you and the List think.
Best of luck!

Glenn McComas, Queenstown, Maryland