In a message dated 09/09/2009 7:53:27 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

        Hummmmmmm, I've had this  happen here twice with new AMC heads and
thought it to be bad gaskets.  I  replaced the gaskets in both cases and all
has been well.  Never thought  that it might be a problem with the heads.
I'll have to take some  measurements on the next job.

>>>>>If AMC heads ..........be careful.
I just  had another whole go around with AMC heads and this rubber water
gasket-  about how much compression the heads exert on the rubber  gasket.
Mostly  it seems to me that AMC heads squeeze on the rubber  gasket too
much,
and tend to cause it to split apart.

Install the  ready to use good head onto the block, with metal rings in
place, but   without the rubber gasket - and measure that gap.
( whether VW heads or AMC  heads ).  By my most recent calculations  .140
inches is ideal  there.   I've found AMC heads as much as .008 inches 'too
tight'  there, which can cause the rubber gasket to start to split in just a
short  while.<<<<<<

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy & Lionel Trains (_Collection for sale_ (h
ttp://frankcondelli.com/trainsal.htm) )
_Frank Condelli &  Associates_ (http://frankcondelli.com/busindex.html)  -
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://frankcondelli.com/exhaust.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://www.busfusion.com/)  a VW Camper  camping event,
Almonte, ON, June 11 ~ 14,  2009