Hi Dennis,

The heads aren't cracked, but if I bought re-conditioned replacement
heads they would probably be welded-up ones. So my question is
whether to do this or get new heads?

I don't know if the 290k on the van is also on the engine. There is a
rebuilt transmission so the engine may have been redone at the same
time.

Cheers

Peter

At 7:33 AM -0500 4/4/03, Dennis Haynes wrote:
>A leaking exhaust valve is no indication that weld repairs are needed.
>Does the engine have 290K on it or just the Van? I have replaced single
>exhaust valves with success. If the guides are worn, then both heads
>should be rebuilt or replaced. Weld repairs if done right can last.
>Depends on the extent of damage and expertise of the welder-machinist.
>
>Dennis
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
>Of Peter Lofting
>Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2003 2:13 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: New versus Welded Heads?
>
>I have a leaking exhaust valve that needs replacing on an '84 Vanagon
>Waterboxer with 290k on the clock.
>
>(1) What are the pros and cons of buying new versus reconditioned heads?
>      I've been told that there are risks of porosities in weld repairs
>
>(2) Should I replace both heads at once?
>
>Thanks for any advice
>
>Peter