Reply to:   RE>>FTC, VWOA, Head gasket problem

You say
>Anyway, I managed to get an estimate from a dealer today without >having to
>take the engine apart. It is $2071.34 including replacement of both >heads.
>I don't really like to pay this much to fix it. I'll probably exchange
>the westy's engine with the 84 vanagon and keep the vanagon for occasional
>use or sell it or use the rest of it as parts source for the westy.

>Thanks much for those who responded to help. Very much appreciated.

>David Kao
>david.kao@eng.sun.com
 

David,
Have you considered doing the work yourself? Cost of new heads at the parts
place I use in Mountain View is $360 each and the gasket sets are $90 each.
that puts it at about $1000 including tax. Add a little more for the the
official sealant stuff and you're at about 1/2 the shop price. I just did this
on one head of an '85 and it's not really that bad of a job. I'd be happy to
provide assistance, tools, or moral support. I think you are in the bay area,
right?#005#
    If you decide to change engines and sell the van let me know. I might be
interested.
Don Kane
Don_Kane@qmgate.arc.nasa.gov
'85 Vanagon GL
'87 Vanagon GL