New heads are really nice. When I worked on my 83.5 engine last year
I discovered that the heads were actually new which were installed
under warranty by a VW dealer 30k miles ago. Technically when I had
the engine dropped last year the heads were 30k miles old. But after
cleaning they looked just like new. There were 0 valve guide wear.
There were no cracks, no burnt valve seats no nothing really.
I cleaned the heads with soapy water. The heads looked sparkling
new to me. That was a joy to work on an engine with heads like that.
I anticipate the heads to last at least another 100k miles or more
as long as I don't abuse it.

Not sure how far rebuilt heads will last. I have never had rebuilt
heads on my engines.

If you don't have a budget issue and you love your Vanagon and plan
to use it for another 100k miles new heads are definitely worth the
money.

David

--- B Feddish <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET> wrote:

> I'm going to be in the same situation as Robert this winter and I'll be
> having my 1.9 rebuilt. One of the big expenses appears to be the heads.
> What is the advantage of buying new heads, vs, reconditioned heads vs.
> having a machine shop do them?  Let's say my current engine has gone 80K
> miles on it's last set of machined heads. That was fine with me as the
> rebuild was dirt cheap. Am I only getting longetivity with new heads or are
> they much more reliable?  Can the machine shop do it "wrong"?  Are
> reconditioned ones a good compromise?
>
> Heads come up allot here and I'm trying to determine if that extra $1000
> expense is worth it if I'm fine with my next rebuilt not being able to make
> it to 200K.
>
>
>
> Thanks,
> Bryan
>