I wound clean it up and start it.  See how it runs.  Find and fix any leaks.
Don't do extra work unless it's necessary.
I think you meant valve cover.  I wouldn't remove a head.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Cunegonde
Sent: Tuesday, August 20, 2013 8:51 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Excess Oil Pressure Damage in 1.9l WBX

Well... Cunegonde's co-owner put 2qts of oil in an all ready full 1.9l WBX
engine.
Huge clouds of dark smoke everywhere,
oil squirting from somewhere near the driver side cylinder head onto the
exhaust manifold,
oil clouds coming out of the head/exhaust header joints,
oil coming out the tailpipe.

Engine will run but not going to risk a fire!

Now that Cunegonde's towed home, what's the prognosis?
Engine has about 45k miles.
No oil in the coolant.
I've drained the excess oil from the pan; if there's a chance it will run
again, will empty and refill completely and change filter.

Next step... Remove a head and examine it and the gasket for damage? What
else to check?
Also, clean engine & exhaust headers thoroughly in hopes most of the smoke
was hot headers?

If repair is in excess of 12 hours of work, or if engine will be even less
reliable than usual, we're prepared to install a VW inline 4 or Subaru
replacement engine.