Probably not recommended, however I did just what you suggested.  My left
head developed a leak while on vacation a few years ago.  I could not afford
either the time or money to do both sides, thinking I would take care of the
other side later.  50,000 miles later, it was still going strong.

Karl Wolz

-----Original Message-----
From: Scott Atkinson <Scott.Atkinson@PER.CLW.CSIRO.AU>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Sunday, January 31, 1999 9:04 PM
Subject: Heads leak but aren't corroded

>Hello Everyone,
>
>About 2 months ago my 90 Vanagon's left head sprang a leak and having heard
>all the discussion on this list about head problems I thought that I would
>park the car and have Christmas and repair it later when my wallet had
>recovered.
>
>Well yesterday I got the courage to pull it to pieces and amazingly the
>head was in PRISTINE condition with NO corrosion pitting at all! The Rubber
>head gasket had split causing the leak. I have owned the car for 3 years
>and regularly changed the coolant so the heads must have been replaced just
>before I bought it. (They both have a considerably brighter aluminium shine
>than the motor)
>
>My question is, is it worth taking the other non-leaking head off and
>replacing what seems to be a perfect setup or should I just do the leaking
>side and save some time and aggravation for no real gain? Also, is this
>split rubber head gasket a common problem and if one side has gone does the
>other one follow soon after?
>
>Thanks for sharing your experiences.
>
>Scott Atkinson
>Perth, Western Australia
>90 Vanagon
>89 Range Rover TDI (almost)
>76 Range Rover 3.5 Gas guzzler
>Scott Atkinson
>Computer Systems Manager
>CSIRO Land and Water            Email:  Scott.Atkinson@per.clw.csiro.au
>Private Bag                     Phone:  +61-8-9333 6206
>PO Wembley  WA  6014         Fax:    +61-8-9387 8211
>Australia                               Web:    http://www.clw.csiro.au
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>There are 2 simple ways to go through life;
>1. Believe everything, or
>2. Believe nothing.
>Anything else requires you to think.
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>