>>>It sounds like the major design flaw with
the WBX is in the design of the the head / block mating surface and the use
of this "fat" head gasket.

Actually, I think the flaw is in the metallurgy of the stock VW heads.
Rewelded heads, AMC replacement heads, and ceramic coated heads all greatly
decrease the likelihood of a recurrence of the head leakage problem.  I
recently had occasion to remove a set of AMC heads with 100k on them and
there was no evidence of deterioration of the mating surface at all.  Usually
stock heads show noticeable pitting.

Bill
St. Louis, MO
www.geocities.com/wdummitt