Russell,
     
     No, I bought a complete engine gasket set, VW sealents, and used
JB-Weld as well.
Early on in the project I read the archives about successes with JB-Weld and
wondered about substituting JB-Weld for VW head gasket sealent.  My head
surfaces looked pretty smooth until cleaning revealed pitting.  I applied
JB-Weld to pitting in both head and crankcase mating surfaces and carefully
fine sanded both.  

Still holding at 1000 miles... 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Scott Maurer
"84 Vanagon GL
Portland, OR 

  
At 03:45 AM 12/20/96 +0000, you wrote:
>Scott, 
>
>     Did you really use JB-Weld instead of a head gasket?  If so, did it
>work?  I am going to rebuild an 84 Vanagon engine as a winter project and am
>going through the archives and saw some of your messages.
>
>     Might have some more questions for you later.
>
>     Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
>
>Russell Gunter
>Woodbridge, VA
>