With all due respect my mom could replace the muffler and cat--I'd  even let
her throw on a tailpipe to show I trust her. I'm sure your local  mechanic did
great.

When you let them replace the headers and deal with the aluminum heads,
ill-fitting headers with relativly unmatched surfaces, and redrilling broken
studs let us know how they do.

I agree the "mechanic" who started the ire that started this thread was a
butcher. But the poor guy who's Vanagon suffered suffered because some of you
all allegedly advised him any "good" local mechanic could do the  work!

My contention is yes, let them change the muffler and cat. All you need is
an IQ of about 40, 13mm wrench, safety goggles, and a hacksaw. The  headers are
a whole different animal and a real PIA IMHO.

My advice is still if you're replacing headers find someone who  is a Vanagon
Specific mechanic or you too will be writing to the list with
disappointment. It's a pricey job, but not as pricey as the headache and cost of  getting it
fixed after its been messed up, poorly drilled, and banged on by some
mechanic turned butcher.

Having said all that, in my opinion the one sign a mechanic is good enough
to replace the headers on a Vanagon is him shaking his head saying he won't  do
it. That's a guy who understands what's involved.

(my mom's IQ is higher than 40. Mine, judging by the Vanagon in the
driveway, probably isn't)

Best,
Jeff
83.5 Westy
LA,CA

In a message dated 8/20/2005 8:34:51 AM Pacific Standard Time, Taobythesea
writes:

Put
it and a cat. and new tailpipe he also ordered in with no problems.   Looks
and sounds
great.  Of course, the old grizzled fellow actually doing the work  looked
like he'd seen
many a muffler in his day ;-)