What kind of coolant are you using?  Corrosion and
rust are indicators of phophate anti-freeze and high
water content mixture.

I doubt the studs are your problem.  I don't think you
need to replace them either.

Is it possible you are overtightening the heads,
causing a failure of the gaskets?

Z

--- Mark Vermillion <markvermillion@EARTHLINK.NET>
wrote:
> What I found-
>
> The pits in the water jacket are minimal. Perhaps
> 1/4 of the width of the
> jacket, and not engaging the edge. The studs go two
> ways: The four on the
> top are corroded. Only one of the lower group is.
> One of the lower studs
> appears to have rotated deeper into the case than
> the other three by about
> 3mm, or maybe those other three came out with the
> nuts. Or maybe they're
> stretched, but that seems extreme. Regardless, the
> three that are farther
> out will not go in any more.
>
> Anyone still follow this?
>
> I gather that I'll need to replace the corroded
> studs and nuts, but could
> this really cause what I've seen?
>
> Thanks for the patience and all the suggestions,
> Mark
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Mark Vermillion"
> <markvermillion@EARTHLINK.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 4:43 PM
> Subject: Re: repeatedly blowing head gasket
>
>
> > I'll pull it apart tonight (again) and see what I
> find. I don't think the
> > head is too bad, really.They're pitted, but with
> the JB Weld repairs, they
> > look pretty OK. The damage to the gaskets look
> like it's coming from the
> > water jacket side, from what I can tell.
> >
> > I haven't really inspected the studs, but will
> tonight.
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "gary hradek" <hradek@yahoo.com>
> > To: "Vanagon Mailing List"
> <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
> > Cc: <markvermillion@EARTHLINK.NET>
> > Sent: Monday, March 17, 2003 3:22 PM
> > Subject: repeatedly blowing head gasket
> >
> >
> > > Mark and Ken,
> > >             I would give some serious thought
> before
> > > putting in still another head gasket.   I think
> the
> > > speed of the failure suggests a problem that may
> be
> > > beyond the capacity of even jb weld.   Minor
> pitting
> > > should not fail so soon.   Maybe Mark can
> provide a
> > > picture of his head at some point.   Mark, I
> admire
> > > your efforts and the ability to stick with it.
> It
> > > just might be time to toss in the towel on this
> head.
> > >            regards gary
> > > Date:    Mon, 17 Mar 2003 08:18:01 -0500
> > > From:    Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
> > > Subject: Re: repeatedly blowing head gasket
> > >
> > > This is headgasket replacement 101.  You MUST
> repair
> > > the pits in the
> > > case sealing surface before you put on the new
> head
> > > gasket.  I use JB
> > > Weld.  Clean the pitted area with brake cleaner
> and
> > > some sand paper.
> > > Fill in the pits with JB Weld and let it cure
> > > overnight. The next day
> > > sand it smooth and back down to the same level
> as the
> > > aluminum case.
> > > While you are at it, feel around on the case lip
> > > (where the headgasket
> > > sits) and see if you feel any sharp spots.  Sand
> these
> > > a little to
> > > smooth them out.  This should fix your problem.
> (need
> > > me to send
> > > another gasket?)
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Ken Wilford
> > > John 3:16
> > > http://www.vanagain.com
> > > Phone: 856-327-4936
> > > Fax: 856-327-2242
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: Mark Vermillion
> <markvermillion@EARTHLINK.NET>
> > > Date: Sunday, March 16, 2003 4:23 pm
> > > Subject: repeatedly blowing head gasket
> > >
> > > > All-
> > > >
> > > > I have a 87' GL that has a recurrent problem
> with
> > > the pass. side
> > > > head gasket. Problem is, it won't stay intact.
> I
> > > just replaced it
> > > > for the fourth time, and got approximately 5
> miles
> > > out of it. This
> > > > is the "short" record. The previous gasket
> went 5k
> > > miles. The one
> > > > before that was good for 500. I don't remeber
> how
> > > far the first
> > > > went.
> > > >
> > > > The gaskets are splitting from what would
> appear to
> > > be the back,
> > > > or water jacket side. They happen on the same
> corner
> > > each time:
> > > > lower rear. There is some pitting on the water
> > > jacket in this
> > > > area, but it not the only area with pits. I
> tried
> > > putting a little
> > > > sealant to fill the pits... maybe that wasn't
> such a
> > > good idea.
> > > >
> > > > Anyway, any advice or comments would be
> appreciated.
> > > I'm about
> > > > ready to push the thing into the Susquehanna.
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Mark
> > >
> > >
> > >
> __________________________________________________
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> > >
> >

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