Dave,

I just purchased my '85 Vanagon about a month ago.  "Chuba" has 129,000
miles on him....there was only one owner of this '85 with the big fat
sunroof and he assured me he had never rebuilt or had any head
trouble......I believe him mostly because he seemed like an honest,
straightforward guy who obviously took good care of his vanagon.  This
thing, as a Massachusetts vehicle all of its life, has such an awesome
underside....I mean, he musta had a garage and been diligent about keeping
it clean underneath.....compared to the '74 I just got rid of, this thing
just rolled off the factory line!  I feel a problem may be coming
though......just last night I was checking the exhaust system I just
installed while it was idling, and I heard a little bit of noise coming from
the motor.....upon further examination, it sounds like the noise (a slight
knocking) is coming from the head on the left side of the motor.......best I
can tell just using my ear.  I need to do a cyl. test and check for
leaks/loss of compression to confirm this....but, I guess I better start a
little fund for this.....just in case.  Hopefully if will last until I have
the motor rebuilt at Boston Motor.  I hear good things about this place.

Fingers Crossed,

Dustin, '85 Vanagon Sunroofy - "Chuba"