> Frankly, it is not cost effective to use rebuilt heads, especially since
> new are not that expensive.

I sell both new heads (about $380) and rebuilt ones ($220 plus $50 core).
My new ones are made by AMC/Spain (same as the new ones sold by VW dealers
in the US); my rebuilt ones are from AVP (whose reputation on the list is
well deserved). AVP welds new metal to the head surface rather than just
"filling" the pits as a less reputable shop might do.   I have not seen any
difference in reliability between the the rebuilt and new heads over the
last 5 years or so.  Considering that you have to pay to ship your cores
back (and run the risk of your core being rejected if it turns out not to be
rebuildable, although this occurs infrequently), the cost savings afforded
by opting for rebuilt are slightly smaller than the numbers might suggest,
but still significant.

- Ron Salmon
  The Bus Depot�, Inc.
  www.busdepot.com
  (215) 234-VWVW

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