Todd...I have had a couple gaskets split like that in my carreer
(having replaced well over a hundred sets)...there is actually a
measurment and gasket thickness guidline that used to be in circulation
for the pro's...Might ask Bob at Boston Engine what he thinks....some
gaskets are a bit thicker than others and will crush too much after
installation...I can try to find a copy if you like. but it is hard to
get a selection of gaskets unless you can find a parts house to cut open
a few sets and measure (we always had 5 or 8 sets on hand)...never had a
second one split on the same car, so you may wan't to just replace it &
try..
Daryl of AA Transaxle
Duvall, WA.(Seattle area)
(425) 788-4070
1-877-377-0773 toll free
http://www.aatransaxle.com (web site)
On Sun, 25 Mar 2001 20:43:39 -0800 Todd Francis <tbf@PACIFIER.COM>
writes:
> Hi all,    After rebuilding a 2.1, I torqued the heads on by the book
> with a new German gasket set. The engine ran good and did not leak.
> After running the engine only a few miles I put the Vanagon away for
> a few days planning to button things up when I had time. In two days
> I happened to notice the passenger side head was starting to leak
> coolant. I looked at the gasket on the top of  the head on the front
> corner and the gasket was pushed out funny. I took the head off and
> the new rubber gasket had a diagonal split about 3/4 inch long that
> cut the sealing face of the gasket in two. Has this happened to
> anyone else or did I just get a bad gasket? The heads are the
> original heads that came off of the engine. Any ideas?  The gaskets
> had the VW mark on them so I assume they are OEM.
> Thanks,  Todd Francis