Alan,
I just did the heads on my 84 gl that has a 88' 2.1 motor.  I purchased
new spanish heads for $320 each and both gasket kits for $90 dollars.
The gasket sets that I bought either come with glue($50) or with
out($40). I found that you can use the glue from one gasket set on both
heads which saved me $10.  I am very pleased with the spanish heads,
they work great.  (Hopefully you won't need to buy heads)  I purchased
everything from Halsey Import in Portland Oregon.  They have great
prices and they have a web page for ordering if you don't live in the
area.  Make sure the cylinders DON'T come off with the head unless you
are doing rings also.  Overall I thought the job was pretty easy, and I
haven't worked on Vanagons all that much.  Good Luck

Jordan
84 GL
84 GTI

>Date:         Wed, 22 Jul 1998 10:22:06 -0500
>Reply-To:     arbosch@RA.ROCKWELL.COM
>From:         Alan Bosch <arbosch@RA.ROCKWELL.COM>
>Subject:      Head gasket questions...
>To:           Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
>
>The saga continues...
>The '88 Vanagon I'm looking to purchase will need new head gaskets -
maybe
>new heads too.
>This came from the guy selling the van.  The body and interior are in
very
>good shape.  Engine has 125k miles.  So I seek the collective knowledge
of
>the list for the following:
>
>1)  Insight regarding replacing head gaskets, gaskets and heads, whole
>engine
>2)  DIY or take it to a shop, knowing that I rebuilt the engine in my
old
>'82 Rabbit Diesel
>3)  Ball park costs for above - I won't hold anyone to anything.  Just
want
>feedback to make a informed, eyes open decision.
>4)  Should I run away from this
>
>Thank you in advance.
>
>Alan Bosch
>
>

______________________________________________________
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com