Nathan,
       Sorry to hear about your bad luck.  Well, I suppose it is good luck
that you finished your trip before big problems set in.  I just drove from AZ
to FL about the same time, and my van waited till I got here to die.  Good
luck, bad luck, half-full, half-empty.
       I have a Tiico, and I like it.  Having said that, the engine I
originally had in my van went about 245,000 miles with no head problems at
all.  Never a leak, didn't even leak oil.  It was just old and tired, and had
some other stupid problems -- I replaced it before anything catastrophic
happened.  The vanagon engine/heads may not be the best engineering, but it
can be durable.  Fixing the heads isn't that bad of an idea.  I went Tiico
for brand-new engine, more power, new ECU and wiring harness.  It is
expensive, though.  I will have my van as long as gas-powered vehicles are
allowed on roads, and then I will figure out a fusion-based engine swap!
       Don't count out a head job or a rebuild.  Best to look at all factors
first, like cost, serviceablity, power, down-time, etc.  Then make the best
decision for your personal situation.

Bill Marshall
85 GL Tiico
Bradenton FL