At 14:10 2/07/02 -0400, you wrote:
>From:    Craig Oda - Personal email <craigoda@COMMUNITYBUILDERS.INFO>
>Subject: Mixing AMC and VW Heads
>
>Only one of my cylinder heads is leaking right now and I want to
>attempt to save money by just buying one head.

  That's risky...
>
>Are most new heads AMC heads?

  Yes.Arguably longer lasting than the original head.

>Should I go with a rebuilt head? I'm thinking of either Bug Patch or
VolksCafe.

  Go with new if you can afford it.
>
>I know it is recommended that I replace both heads, but I'm sinking a
>lot of money into the van and want to see if I can conserve on cash
>wisely.  I don't want to be too risky, but I have a feeling most
>people just change one head.  I think my current heads are original
>VW.

  From my own experience with leaky heads,if one has started leaking,
  the other isn't prolly far away.
  Replacing only one head for now might save you money today but it
  may not be long before you find youself doing the job all over again
  for the other side.It really is a false economy...

  If you are paying someone else to replace the heads,it's gonna be
  ultimately cheaper to do both at once whilst the engine is being
  partially dismantled anyway.
  OTOH,if you are doing it yourself...do you really want to do the same
  job twice,maybe within 6 months of each other?

  I know I wouldn't but...YMMV..

  Steve O
  Blue Mountains NSW Australia
  '92 Transporter WBX Kombi
  '76 Transporter Double cab
  '68 Beetle
  '00 Transporter 5Cyl Double Cab (work truck)