Thanks Dennis!

Perhaps I should find another shop.  I'm not sure where that number came
from, but good to know it seems high.  I'd rather do what work I can on
it, aside from the cost, getting to/from the mechanic is not easy -
especially if stranded on a trip.

To re-torque the heads, I presume that is as simple as to remove the
valve covers and tighten?  I can probably borrow a torque wrench - I
presume that is how I'd check they were loose.
http://www.benplace.com/head.htm recommends 55NM (book says 50NM - 37 ft lb)

This sounds like an easy first stop before diving deeper.

And thanks for the tips on the exhaust.  The bolts didn't look too bad
last summer, no doubt replacing the bolts will save me grief later on as
well.

Tom

On 13-05-09 02:36 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> What is the $1,500 price based on? Book is 11 hours for both sides. Hardest
> part is usually the exhaust. I use bolts at all the exhaust to head
> connections. That way if only one head needs to be pulled the exhaust can
> stay in place. That way if a new gasket fails (which the outers sometimes
> do) I can easily pull the one head and get it back tighter in a few hours.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> Tom Carchrae
> Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2013 1:57 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: coolant overflow fears and thoughts
>
> Thanks Stuart.  I know it...   I just called a local shop and they said
> it would be around 1500 to do the head gasket job, and another 500 per head
> if they need replacing.  Sigh.
>
> Tom
>
> On 13-05-09 10:31 AM, Stuart MacMillan wrote:
>> Face it, it's already bad.  Procrastination could leave you with
>> nothing to rebuild or even use as a core to trade in.  Park it or fix
>> it, those are your only good choices. BTDT.
>>
>> Good luck!
>>
>> Stuart
>> '85 Westy
>>