>>>>A mechanic friend said that if I pull the spark plug and look at the top
of the piston that'll give you a good idea if the head is pitted.<<<<<

Bullshit, you won't see anything else than some black carbon into those
small holes. The only way to be 100% sure is to remove the head, and that is
not an option.

Buying a use car/van is a risk! Buying a VW is a bigger risk! Buying a
Vanagon is a very big risk.... of you putting a few K on it the first year.
No way out unless you pay big $$$ for it including invoice(S) that show
heavy maintenance over the years.

About the head gasket problem, 2 things (AND DO IT!!!!!!!):
first, take a compression test!
If good, good for you! Compression should be in the 140 / 160psi, no more
than 10/15 psi difference between cylinders. I would even buy a engine with
"Even" compression in the 130psi range.

This will tell you if the compression portion (round one at top of cylinder)
of the 2 parts head gasket are ok. The coolant pressure test is another way,
you should also do this one.

Also check color of coolant in the expension tank (oil inside coolant),
check and smell the oil for sign of coolant.

Second, check under each rubber head gasket for sign of leak / coolant
corosion. Put your nail into the rubber gasket, it need to be soft, not hard
and dry.

You will love....and hate your Vanagon.
Cheers and good luck, Ben
http://www.benplace.com/