So one of the guys on the forum sent me a post from the Samaba about
this guy Joe who is the owner of http://www.evwparts.com/Vanagon.asp
His shop is located in Annapolis MD.

He has a 2.1 L engine that has been completely rebuilt from the ground
up he says.

The case has been cracked, cams have been rebuilt, heads have been
bead blasted, resurfaced, pits have been removed, 3 point valve and
adjustment job, all german parts are used, new gaskets, new bearings
and lifters.

Comes with a 1 yr warranty.

Says he can install it 2 days if I bring the van to him.

Installation fee of $1k
Engine Cost with Core return of $1500.
$2500 plus Oil, Coolant, Misc items.
$3K total

It sounds like a perfect deal.

What are your thoughts?

I wanted to take off the intake manifolds and sand them down and spray
some Black BBQ paint on them before they go back on and said it slow
the process but agreed to it. I figure how often is the opportunity to
clean up the engine going to occur. He does not paint the engine at
all. So its like it was originally.

He will transfer all the components from my van, including install any
additional items that may be needed, i.e., hoses, etc.

Anyone deal with these guys before?

He tells me there is a camp ground a mile a way I stay at while the
job is being worked on.

Thanks to everyone for helping with the decision to either redo the
gaskets or put in another engine.