On Thu, 6 Apr 1995 hmspliet@mit.edu wrote:

> All this talk about cracked heads and leaking head gaskets is starting to get
> me worried.  I may buy an '82 Westy with 81k (never had a rebuild).  How long
> can I reasonably expect it to last without needing a major rebuild, i.e., 
> what's the typical trouble-free lifespan for an aircooled Vanagon engine?
> 

My heads and gaskets were replaced 20k miles ago at 133k miles.  I just got 
word that VW is willing to cover 80% of my cost of gaskets that just went 
out. So that says 20k miles. I'm also told that new gaskets are available 
as of six months ago which are better. I have a 1985 Westphalia.

James Cook