Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 07:13:00 -0400
Reply-To: Vanagon Man <vgonman@MSN.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Vanagon Man <vgonman@MSN.COM>
Subject: Re: Cylinder Heads...cleaning up
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
First of all,
You have old, tired heads. If you want your car to last at all, fixing the
heads in the best possible way is to your advantage. There probably are
cracks between the valves and worn guides, too. Why not buy a set of brand
new heads? It may end up costing you $800 miles now, but that will save you
in the long run. The labor for the mechanic will be the same. Pinching
pennies, unfortunately on these engines merely slightly prolongs the
inevitable, or in most cases, makes an owner think the car is a piece of
junk for they are always fixing it..........
At the same time you ought to do what I did a few years back..............I
replaced the cylinders and rod bearings/ and had exchanged a set of rods
with Boston Bob. I still have great oil pressure, and as we all know the
big end on the 2.1L connecting rods really take a beating. Might cost a
little more, but you have pretty close to a full rebuild. I most certainly
would also have the mechanic look at my cam lobes when he pulls the heads.
Might be time for a cam, too.
Adam P
Charleston,SC Coburn, WV
81 Westy "The Brick "
70 Single Cab "Whitey"
74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
1976 Transporter (New CA bus)
1974 412 "Goldmember"
Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan Clay" <JonnyC22@MSN.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, October 20, 2003 10:51 PM
Subject: Cylinder Heads...cleaning up
Hey volks,
I've decided to get the heads done on my westie! They've been dripping in
the colder weather(Fall, I store it in Winter) and to avoid a catastrophe
I've decided to get it done! It's a '90 w/ about 110,000 miles and I am the
third owner. The mechanic took them off and examined them, then sent me a
message about not feeling comfortable about placing them back on. I've seem
pitting on the seam of cylinder heads and cannot believe these little
bubbles/gaps create such a problem for our boxers!!?? When I suggest the
idea of planing them he adamently said that was not an option! WHY, what
does it do to the cylinder head if they get planes and cleaned up. It would
not touch the compression area, or does it. My mech, who I believe is on
the level, but just wondering why the option of planing was totally out of
the question. Heads he said would be 475 ea. to replace. I know I can get
them cheaper from the list!!
Any help/info. is appreciated
I want to clean up the heads, Why can't I
thanx
JON
90 Westie(stripped, inside and out)
88 Gl (Needs new gas tank, fuel lines, Inj. cleaning)
I love these vans, but...........I'm thinking parts van or other soon...real
soon!!!!
Any ideas or offers!!!
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