Hi,
I have subscribed recently and have recently purchased a vanagon - 85
Westfalia, 1.9 L engine , auto trans.
Soon after purchase, the water started dripping from the head on the
passenger side so I did further testing.  The vacuum was at about 10 and
the vac gage needle was bouncing no matter the timing. I read the
compression as 90 psi on 1,2,and 4 and 150 psi on number 3.
So I bought a used engine, and installed it.
It leaked water worse than the first, so I got the wrecking yard to give
me gasket sets and I installed the new head gaskets. Sadly I must have
pinched or broken the o-ring that seals one of the cylinders to the crank
case because as soon as I filled it up with coolant and cranked the engine
(with a remote starter switch ) maybe 15 revs, water and oil came out the
oil filler tube!
Anyway I put a new head gasket on the original engine and put it back in.
It runs fine, no leaks.
I am going to check the vacuum and compression tonight, but no matter the
result, we are taking it from portland, OR. to Yosemite for two weeks.

MY QUESTION finally: why do I only get 10-13 mpg on the freeway unloaded.
is this normal? I have seen postings here indicating mileage from 16 to
22.

I think I screwed up the compression test originally because I forgot to
prop open the throttle, so whatever.

Thanks for listening.
--Andrew