Greetings. I just had the same thing happen to my '80 right after I bought it. If you are really, really lucky, it is just a valve seat that has come undone, and can be repaired. But for the amount of work involved to get to it, probably it is worthwhile to just get a new head. BusDepot has reman. heads for around $189, I think (with improved valve seats, so they say) but the amount of work is fairly substantial. I just paid a garage to do it - was around $1200 for the head. Ouch, I know, but I needed it quickly, and I had not done a head on a VW Vanagon, so I bit the bullet. Be sure to get a new valve cover gasket, and also get really good push-rod tube seals. Two of mine leaked after the mechanic job (but that's what warranties are for, right?) David. |
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