Jeff,
That is a good question indeed, "if it works, dont fix it" is a very good rule.
However, after having had both my 1.9 and this 89 2.1 leave me stranded several hundred miles from home because the metal gasket between the top of the cylinder and the aluminum head decided that it would begin to burp exhaust gas into the cooling system really has begun to get on my nerves a bit.

On this note it was very interesting to me that VW decided to offer free head retorqueing on all waterboxers at the dealer as preventative measure against the heads coming loose. 
It is my feeling we should all be retorqueing them every 40-50 k miles to keep the head gaskets sealed up tight.

One problem is once carbon gets in-between the metal gasket its over, and even retorquing will not re-seal the head. 

My feeling is it is only metal on metal and there is no medium inbetween to hold a seal, if the heads loosen up even a tiny bit which they do seem to do, you may be able to prevent the gases from getting by if you have any type of high temp compound on the gasket.  Its just added protection I am seeking with no apparent downside other than it may make it more difficult to take apart later which is fine with me if it does indeed increase the margin in which the head can stay sealed.

Its a weak spot.

Doug

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jeffrey Schwaia 
  To: Doug in Calif 
  Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 3:22 PM
  Subject: RE: Head gaskets on 2.1 liter

  Doug,

  The stock setup will get you 150,000 miles if you keep up with your
  maintenance.  Why experiment?

  Just my opinion.

  Cheers,

  Jeff

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
  Of Doug in Calif
  Sent: Saturday, May 15, 2004 3:03 PM
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
  Subject: Head gaskets on 2.1 liter

  Well I am about to re-install the heads on my 89 Wolfy.
  I tore the engine down to the crank to inspect everything after it left me
  stranded near Bakersfield last August with blown head gasket.

  Just a quick question to the group with regard to the head gasket itself.

  Has anybody had any good or bad luck using a copper coat on the vw head
  gaskets?

  The nitorious head gasket seems to be a very weak link in the waterboxer and
  I am looking for added sealing protection on the engine.

  There is a copper coat product commonly used for headgaskets and there is
  another product that is similar to antiseize compound that is copper in
  nature.

  My thinking is that I would like some material in-between the sealing
  surfaces of the head gasket itself that may help to form a  better seal.

  Any thoughts on this?

  Thanks,

  Doug