Benn,
    Try looking  very close at all those heads  right between the
valves.    I
bet you find at least a few that are cracked.   I've just done 3 engines,
and all had cracks.   Even the AMC heads.  Please note the bentley
states that cracks here are still useable if small enough.
                                                                     Joe.

Benny boy wrote:

>Mmmmmmmmmm.... water pump don't blow!  i have change over 20 water pumps
>last year. pump will tell your they are going away (VERY noisy)...way before
>they do! Anyway, if the pump was that bad, it can damage the core/case
>mating surface (on 2.1 also, NO DIFFERENCE between both engine and it's not
>a dificult job at all!!!!!!!), still, overheating is not cause by the pump
>unless the belt is broken (and if broken, the ALT light will come ON), i
>have seen many noisy pump with (afterward) dammage case and the engine was
>still in normal operating temp. and please, DON'T put JB weld over
>there!!!!!!!!! VERY STUPID!
>
>Wasser engine can take a lot of beating, and head don't crack so easily, and
>hey! after oppening more than 60 wasser, i HAVE NEVER SEEN A CRACKED head!!!!
>
>Tose are very solid engine, they just leak a bit, like any other VW...
>
>Still, if the engine is cooked... it won't turn over easily, if it turn
>nicely, it's still good.
>
>I see you guys talking about craked heads! please, show me one! me, i can
>show you 30 heads in my shop, none have cracks! yes, they have pitted
>surface, dead valve seat, burned valve, dammage combustion chamber.... but
>NO Crack... bad sealing (including head gasket)will cause many problems...
>not to say all problems
>
>I have received very leaky, dammage and low compression engine at my shop...
>and for most of them, a very good and professional sealing was THE solution.
>Some of those engine had a compression as low as 50 psi... WITHOUT changing
>any pistons or even rings, just by doing a very good head rebuilt/sealing
>they came back to life with 160psi.
>
>Yea....
>(if you don't know what you are talking about... don't write!)
>Ben (who did 5 engine in 1 month... and yes! i'm still The Corruptor)
>http://www.benplace.com/amc_head/amc9.jpg (yeas, i know, it's an AMC head
>picture... kinf of funny)
>
>
>-------------------------------------------------------------------
>WaterHi
>
>I am looking for another car than the blue one.
>
>Have one on hand, but seller says that waterpump went a month ago, and the
>engine got warm.
>
>What damage should I expect, and what should I look for (now I know where to
>look for rust...............)
>
>Happy greetings
>
>Jens Jakob
>
>
>