Bob,

Last Fall, my '84 witrh about 30,000 miles on a rebuilt engine had valve problem enroute to my FL home near Daytona.  It was better part of $900 to have head removed, rebuilt and reinstalled by an independent VW shop.

John
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Bob Anderson 
  To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Tuesday, September 04, 2012 8:12 AM
  Subject: Head Gasket leaks

  Hello All,
  Last week my vanagon's main 3 slot crankshaft pulley came off and as a result the engine overheated. Had to have it towed back to the house and here she sits, now I notice lots of antifreeze puddles and it looks like they may be coming from the head gaskets.
  I was hoping that I could replace the missing woodruff key for the pulley and re-install the pulley and belts and be on my way, but now it would appear that new head gaskets maybe needed.
  My question is; what is the going rate for this task? And/Or is it something that a reasonably mechanically inclined person could do himself?
  Or would it make more sense to wait and save-up some money and go ahead and replace it with a rebuilt 2.1 engine just like what it has now.
  My vanagon is a 1986 2.1 automatic and has 138,000 miles on it, the body is in excellent condition and I would really enjoy keeping it.
  Thanks,
  Bob A