Let me be brief......   There are no perfect vanagons, save those 91 syncros
with 25k on 'em.    Buying a vanagon?  buy one with thorough records and I
MEAN THOROUGH!!  You should know everytime the van hit a pothole.
Heads--smeads, Thats the least of your concerns (well, that's an
understatement) OIL PRESSURE, trannies, seam rust those transalate into
thousands.  The head job can be done with the engine in the van.  Test drive
the van for a while--20 miles or more.  If the owner doesn't let you, find
another. (pay for gas-if an issue).  After the drive, get that clean
cardboard out of your car and place it under the engine, whist you inspect
everything else.  Arm yourself with the knowledge of the last year or so of
list threads on every subject you come across in high response/subject
replies.  You'll still get stuck with a lemon, but you'll spend less than
you would have with the larger lemons!!
My van came with a ton of new parts, a list of work done and a pile of
receipts and i still got screwed, so watch out.
Brian Cochran
84 westy without a motor at the moment
carnation WA

previous.....
ALL are
between 130-180K Miles
I figure that new heads are in order for any of these high mileage vans.
But... what if the P.O.(s) have put on new heads once already...

The question is:
a) How can I tell if the engine core is too tired for it to be worth
putting new head on?
b) How many times can a wasserboxer take new heads without an engine
rebuild?
c) Are coolant leaks the only reason to change them?
d) If the dealer doesnt know anything about the van, what should I look for
besides coolant leaks?
_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com