In a message dated 02/02/2005 4:34:27 PM Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

And  another thing the last 3 head job a i did...separation of the JB-Weld  /
Aluminum putty... from the head, the stuff was stuck to the gasket,  so
coolant found a easy path. I never use JB-Weld, and i never  will...

Benny Boy, your not doing the JB Weld repair  correctly.  It is supposed to
be in the pits only, not used as a gasket  sealer.  The inside of the pits must
be CLEAN for the JB Weld to  stick.  The best is to have the heads bead
blasted then clean with lacquer  thinner.  Otherwise use a small wire brush and
small metal pick to clean  out the pits before cleaning with lacquer thinner.
Once the JB Weld has  cured then the head is sanded back to it's original
surface leaving the JB weld  in the pits.  If the damage is more extensive than pits
then scrap the  heads and use new AMC ones.  I have been using JB Weld to
fill in the  pitted surface on aluminium for YEARS and have never had it let go
under any  circumstances.  It holds extremely well if the application is done
properly.
    Your rusted van is common in my neck of the  woods.  The vast majority of
the vans that visit my shop look just like  that one !  Joys of the North !

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 09 ~ 12, 2005
'87 Westy, '90 Carat &  Lionel Trains
Member: _Vanagon List_ (http://www.vanagon.com/) , _LiMBO_
(http://www.bcn.net/~limbo/) , _IWCCC_ (http://www.westfalia.qc.ca/)  & _CCVWC_
(http://www.ccvwc.ca/)
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in  the Ottawa Valley
_STEBRO/Vanagon Stainless Steel  Mufflers_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
or  http://frankcondelli.com