Didn't you have to drop the engine to put the head gasket in?

Joe L. wrote:

>    Have you given any thought to trying to replace the head gaskets
> yourself? The job is NOT all that complicated (If I can do it...) and the
> costs are about $150 total (assuming you have the tools). If a gasket job is
> all that it will take to get you back on the road for a few years you will
> have saved yourself $850. If it turns out that you need a new engine after
> all little will be lost besides the time it takes to pull the heads and look
> around in there.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Blake Thornton <thornton@MATH.UTAH.EDU>
> To: vanagon@VANAGON.COM <vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
> Date: Friday, November 20, 1998 8:30 PM
> Subject: head gaskets
>
> >I am posting this for a friend, and i know this topic gets plenty of band
> >width, but its different when you're actually dealing with it
> >
> >the basic question is:
> >replace the head gaskets or replace the entire engine?
> >(I know this can be very opinionated, but any opinions are welcomed)
> >heres the specifics:
> >
> >1984 wolfsburg(spelling?) westy.  he
> >193,000 miles on engine.  could very well be the original head gaskets.
> >my buddy bought the van (note: I am one of those who calls mine a van)
> >back in may 1998 for $1500.
> >
> >The mechanic (i think he's a good one) here in town gave the price of
> >around $1000 to replace the head gaskets, but then there is the question
> >of heads, so this route could cost around $1800, but then engine has a
> >ton of miles on it anyhow.
> >
> >the mechanic thinks a new engine will cost $3200 installed give or take
> >depending on if there are additional problems found(water pump, clutch
> etc.)
> >
> >if you think the new engine route is the way to go, here are some
> >questions:
> >Do we get a new or rebuilt engine
> >(i understand its possible to get a new one from canada???)
> >where do we get the engine?
> >any advice???
> >
> >thanks for any advice on the matter.
> >
> >blake (and travis)
> >in salt lake city
> >
> >BTW:  i've always reserved bus for pre vanagon.  it seems like the
> >pre-vanagon folks dont all welcome vanagons into the "bus club" as
> >i quite often get snubbed by them when I wave as we pass. is it just me
> >or does everyone else get snubbed by the "bus" guys?