Of all the parts of the waterboxer, the engine case is possibly the most
consumable of all. The bearing saddles pound out, the case changes shape,
the cylinder seats get hammered, etc. It is the main reason that many
rebuilds do not last or provide the performance they should. The WB is not
as bad as the air cooled engines for this but it still has to be addressed.

A real rebuild reqiures careful measuring of the case and machine work to
restore the dimensions that have changed. Align bore of the main bearings,
even machining the inside of the case halves can be reqiured. Don't forget
to replace those head studs.

Few shops have the ability to do this properly.

As for heads, I have only used 2 sets of AMC. I try real hard to find good
used and repair as needed. If it hasn't failed in 150K why should it fail
tomorrow? Almost all head failures are the result of an outside influence
and when that time comes new or used will not matter as it begins to melt or
burn up.

Dennis

>From: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
>Reply-To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Engine Replacement Options
>Date: Tue, 12 Aug 2008 14:51:42 -0500
>
>I always have fear getting
> > near to a machine shop.
> >
> > David
> >
>Rightly so. We all do, using used parts is a risk. But some people say
>that using new AMC heads is a risk, too, and what's a person to do who
>is looking for the best bank for the buck in getting a vanagon back on
>the road. I put my money into the block and everything in it this
>time, knowing that I could remove and replace anything else that
>failed.
>
>Jim