So no responses to the photo's? or the other questions?

R

On Aug 22, 2008, at 3:17 PM, Robert Stewart wrote:

> I took some shots of the engine underneath so you can the leaks, its
> much worse on the left side of the van. The right one appears minor.
>
> To refresh this a 2.1 L auto, Wolfsburg edition. Mobil1 15/50 oil
> synthetic used for over 3 yrs now. Prestone Phosphate free coolant.
> Transmission was rebuilt 2 years ago.
>
> The thermostat housing edges started to melt at the edge where it
> meets the body of the engine, so I am replacing that. You will photo's
> of what I mean below:
>
> http://gallery.me.com/rmstewart#100072
>
> It sound as thought from what Dennis said that a compression test
> might still be a good idea just to gauge the health of the engine. I
> was told it takes an hour to do, correct?
>
> The fuel lines were replaced by the previous owner but I was going to
> them as well just to be safe, as some will remember that is how I lost
> my first Van in December of 2001 next to Rockefeller center in NYC.
>
> The other issue the powersteering pump has the connector on it to be
> connected to something and I can't find anything in the engine bay
> that looks remotely disconnected and hanging. I am completely at a
> loss.
>
> If I do the job with a mechanic I think it will be with the place that
> opened up as they seem the most pro and have someone locally that do
> the head resurfacing if needed.
>
> Still undecided on the next steps.
>
> R
>
> On Aug 22, 2008, at 2:32 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote:
>
>> Depends on the brand of new head.
>> I'm not impressed with AMC heads and have a flat 'wrong' with about
>> 10,000
>> miles on it - dimensionally, it's off significantly concerning the
>> outer
>> water gasket.
>>
>> I much prefer good used heads gone through.
>> what do you mean by 'machined' ??
>>
>> If you mean new valves and guides, or knurled guides and cleaned up
>> valves..........that's generally called a 'valve job' and not
>> 'machined'.
>> As long as valve guides fit tightly ..........
>> a head can be brought back to spec numerous times.
>> There are valve guides that are oversize on the outside so they'll
>> fit
>> tightly like they should, should that be needed.
>> It's possible to replace valve seats too.
>> my point is...........sure, they can only last through so many valve
>> jobs,
>> but they can take several valve jobs unless cracked etc.
>> And yes, of course, it's VERY possible for a machine shop to do it
>> wrong.
>> You bethcha !!
>>
>> There is also resurfacing them on the flat bottom part, and then
>> taking a
>> like amount of material from the combustion chamber area, and
>> checking/adjusting the 'step distance' between those two spots -
>> which
>> determines the how much the outer water gasket gets compressed.
>> And that dimension is a funky area.  And that's what is WAY off
>> about the
>> near-new AMC head I have still.
>>
>> You ask about reconditioned heads - I think it was TRW ........might
>> have
>> been.........
>> back when I worked on air-cooled VW's.  Those were notorious for
>> being
>> funky.  Perhaps it was for Type IV air-cooled engines - valve seats
>> falling
>> out or whatever.  So I'm not so sure I like out of the box rebuilt
>> heads,
>> but that's an option for sure.
>>
>> I much prefer to take a decent of good used heads to a machine shop,
>> and
>> have them do good valve work to it.
>> I've not bothered with waterboxer heads, but there is also getting
>> them
>> pressure tested .....to check for cracks and places coolant might
>> sneak to
>> someplace it's not supposed to be.
>>
>> These $ 1000 new heads. Is that VW OEM ?
>> Those I might be inclined to like.
>> But normally...........it's good VW heads, to a good machine shop -
>> is what
>> I prefer.
>> Scott
>> www.turbovans.com
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> if too small, the rubber gasket pinches. ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "B Feddish" <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Friday, August 22, 2008 5:38 AM
>> Subject: New vs. machined heads, a spinnoff of Engine Replacement or
>> Gasket
>> Fix?
>>
>>
>>> 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