Thanks for the input. At the moment, I am leaning toward the following
options:

1) R & R what's there ... new heads maybe?? Anyone know anything about
the GoWesty heads vs. the straight out of the box AMC heads? With 131k
miles, I have no idea what will actually be found once the heads are
removed. Even after repairs, I could face a future with unknown engine
reliability not good since part of the rationale for getting the thing
is to get to some of the more out of the way places. This is potentially
the cheapest but also the problem prone solution.

2) A Boston Bob or GoWesty 2.2 rebuilt wbx. Bob seems to have a rep for
reliable engines although the extra HP, torque, MPG, and abliitly to run
87 oct. makes the GoWesty engine pretty attractive. Another major plus
for both of these engines is they are repairable via ma and Bentley's
and/or repaired a skilled vanagon mechanic anywhere and use mostly stock
parts, excluding the GoWesty pistons... correct?? Theorically, anyway.
The biggest variable here is quality of the installation.

Most other options were eliminated for one or more of the following reasons:

1) Too expensive. I don't think I can afford to absorb losing the core
charge at this time.

2) Too exotic, custom fab involved, and/or too difficult to work on. I
can't image the challenge of find someone to work on a Subaru or TIICO
conversion in say Bismark, ND or Kamaloops, BC.

3) Fuel requirements. In this a day and age and over the coming years,
it make no sense to me to limit my fuel choices ... gas, particularly
premium, is only going to get more expensive.

I think am going to get a second opinion from a different shop just to
cover all my bases. I just brought this van and thought I did good
research and due diligence ... I guess not.

Thanks,
Sam

P.S. I knew, given the age and miles of the van, major engine work was
probably in my future. I was just hoping for later rather than sooner
(read: immediately).