In a message dated 10/21/2003 12:09:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:
Cylinder Heads...cleaning up
        Jon, the pitting can successfully be cleaned and filled if the rest
of the head is in good condition.  Are the valves good ?  Is there cracking
between the valve seats that may be leaking ?  Best option is to send those heads
out to a reputable machine shop and have them rebuilt and pressure tested.
Here my local shop charges $125 CND to do two heads with new valves, guides,
reground seats and bead blasted.  When they come back they will be spanking
clean.  Then you can wash the pitted area with lacquer thinner, blow dry with
compressed air then fill the pits with JB Weld.  When the epoxy had cured sand the
head surface smooth until even with the good parts of the head and only the
pits have the epoxy in them.  Reinstall the heads with new gaskets using grease
in the groove of the gasket that goes to the block and Permatex/Loctight
Ultra Copper/Red High Temp RTV Sealant for head gaskets.  Do not use the goop that
is with the head gasket sets.  Use the small tube of yellow sealant provided
with he gasket sets around the surface of the head bolt acorn nut flanges as
per Bentley.
    I sell new AMC heads for $550 CND ~ $400 USD if you need them.  See my
Vanagon Items Forsale {http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/sales.htm} webpage.
    I've written this story too many times now.....check the archives and you
will see it pop up a few times !  Enjoy the experience !

Cheers

Frank Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 10 ~ 13, 2004
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains
Member: Vanagon List, LiMBO, IWCCC & CCVWC
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel Mufflers
Frank Condelli & Associates or http://frankcondelli.com