It is common for VW heads to have the cracks you describe.  However, on
my '84, one of the cracks was so wide/deep that combustion gasses were
entering the coolant which is why I opened it up in the first place (no
external coolant leaks).

I took my heads to a machine shop and had them pressure tested, about
$35 each locally, and confirmed that the one mentioned above, definitely
wouldn't hold pressure.  The other head, with hairline cracks, passed
the pressure test and was reused.

When I redid the gaskets on my '85, both heads had hairline cracks ....
both heads were reused with no problems.

Mike

'84 GL 7 pass
'85 GL Westy

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dave Vieira" <dave172c@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 11, 2003 4:14 PM
Subject: cracked heads - how far can it go ..

> Hey All,
>
> I just pulled apart my engine and found out that 2 of
> the 4, 1 on each head has a crack .. one head has a
> minor one and they other head has a next to nothing
> looks like a surface scrach but it is a crack, if I
> put it together how far would it go? what kinda
> problems would I start seening as they get worse?
>
> I plan on driving it to BC in October so ....
>
> any good cheep heads out there ? :)
>
> I know I can get them welded but I cant be with out my
> van for another week, and cash is tight so  .. I donno
> what I should do here .. any ideas ..
>
> thanks
>
> 84, 1.9 vanagon
>
>
> =====
> Dave Vieira
> Hamilton, Ontario
> Canada
>
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