The mileage plays a roll in the decision to replace the heads or the engine.
Orings wont help the inner head gasket might be gone due to over heating or
it could be cracked heads. I recommend you install a 2.1 engine set up as if
its a 1.9 and use all the stock 84 components
that's what I did in my 84

Bob Donalds
Boston Engine

----- Original Message -----
From: "Geza Polony" <gezapolony@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, January 01, 2006 9:46 PM
Subject: New engine time?

> Hello All,
>
> I'm the proud new owner of a great '84 Westy full camper. Love the
> car so far, but it has one major defect: It looks like it might need
> a new engine.
>
> Reason I say this is that it blows some white smoke out the tailpipe,
> overheats with no visible coolant leak, and more and more often runs
> like a dog--no power, missing, bucking, etc.
>
> Here's my question. Would you (a) find the cylinder that's leaking,
> pull it apart and install new o-rings, then put it back together; (2)
> same as above but do both heads and have valve job done at the same
> time; (3) buy rebuilt long block and install--?
>
> Previous owner replaced fuel injectors, plugs, wires, dist. cap and
> rotor, water pump, t-stat within 5K miles.
>
> Idles great, starts great, just this running problem!
>
> Thanks so much for any input.
>