I've been lurking on the list for a while, but was an active member  a while
ago (I joined the original vanagon@lenti list back in '95).  I used to own a
'74 Bus painted up like a cow, and then had an '81 for a while.  I'm looking
to get into the water leaking scene now.

I found an '83 Westy at a dealer, it's got 82,000 miles on it.  The body is
OK, there is a huge dent on the slider and the rear bumper could use
replacing.  No rust though, or evidence of a hard hit.  I'm going to take it
to a shop to check it out before I buy.  They wanted $5500, I offered $4500
(conditional on my final approval and the mechanic's report) and they
accepted that.  I has a professional looking furnace, it's got a thermostat
and a fancy vent that's been plumbed in like the fridge.

Any tips?  Should I avoid the '83 since it's the first year of the water
cooled engine?  Any way to tell if the heads are about to go?  Supposedly
the water pump and a couple coolant lines were replaced within the last
year, the dealer did the work and claims to have documentation on it.

Thanks, and it's good to be back.

-Craig