Bob;
Thanks for the reply!
I have already checked out your most excellent web page on Heads & Head
gaskets.
Thanks for sharing your experience & knowledge. It will be a great help.
I plan on removing both heads on my 1.9 as I suspect one is cracked and the
other has a stripped
out exhaust stud & bolt on the #1 cylinder, making it impossible to keep
the header pipe attached.

I got a set of heads on e-bay for $102.50  (link below)
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=2479170625&category=6755
I'm hoping these will be ok to use as the price seemed right.
The engine they are going on has about 180,000 on it.
It took less of a quart of oil for me to drive to Florida and back (2000
miles) but it took about a gallon of coolant.
Very little coolant actually leaked to the point of dripping on the ground,
only a few drops.
I could detect however, a small puddling around the # 4 spark plug near an
area where I applied JB weld about 2 years ago.
That "band-aid" bought me about 12,000 miles anyway.

I will likely order my needed gaskets from you as I already feel somewhat
indebted to you for the
information you so freely share with the list.
What am I likely to need? Cost?
Is it best to order from you via your web page or over the phone?
Thanks again for your help.
Rod.

At 03:26 PM 5/24/2004, ROBERT DONALDS wrote:
>I have found the best way to do this is to take the head of then you will
>know what else you need the top end sets that you would by from a parts
>store is missing some gaskets. The stock  1.9 2.1 gasket set is for a
>european vanagon as best I can tell. I can sell you any or all needed
>gaskets if you tell me how far you are taking down the engine
>I also stock hardware kits
>check out the head gasket article on my web page
>Boston Bob
>http://www.bostonengine.com
>1 508 358 6264
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Rod Smith" <rodwreck@SE-TEL.COM>
>To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 3:00 PM
>Subject: 1.9 Head Gaskets
>
>
> > Hi;
> > Got a cracked head on my '84 1.9
> > Picked up a rebuilt head on e-bay. for cheep $'s
> > What is the best source for head gaskets? Busdepot? Boston Bob? or??
> > Anything else I need to do this job, like push rod tube seals or do they
> > come with a head gasket kit?
> > Any helpful tips or insight is greatly appreciated!
> > Rod.