If you've got the heads off go ahead and have the heads properly rebuilt by
a qualified VW specialty engine shop.
I hear good things about Northwest Connecting Rod Company in Seattle area.
I think list members have all had good luck buying rebuilt / exchange heads
from other list vendors.
As a minimum, I'd install new rings, rod bearings while I was in there.
Historically the Type IV main bearings last well over 100,000 miles so you
probably don't need to split that case.

Stan Wilder

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of Jake Beaulieu
Sent: Saturday, January 24, 2004 10:41 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: resurfacing air cooled cylinder heads

My 82 air cooled Westy has had a blown head gasket on the number 2 cylinder
for about a year (not driven much).  The bus was also overheated a couple of
months ago (bad thermostat, don't ask...).
I have pulled both cylinder heads, and they look pretty good.  I am worried
that the heads may have warped when they were overheated.  I plan to bring
them into a machine shop to check for warp and have them resurfaced if
necessary.  I haven't been able to find any specs in the Bentely about how
much can be shaved off the heads.

Jake

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