Date:         Mon, 27 Nov 2006 20:55:36 -0600
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <felder@KNOLOGY.NET>
Subject:      Re: what to do?
Comments: To: Jason Willenbrock <pooncerelli@HOTMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <BAY129-F10B5096BD534A82A8EAB71A9E50@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

Jason,

I was facing the same dilemma two years ago when I also needed to
move my daughter and financee's furniture and belongings from NYC
home to Alabama (2000 miles). I didn't have long to make the
decision, and went with my old philosophy of don't fix it if it ain't
broke.

I JB-welded the heads, no valve job, nothing else at 190K like you.
When I got into the engine I saw the the cylinders had hatchmarks
like a new one. I renewed the heads with JB weld, put it back
together, and drove to NY and back and nearly 20K miles since then (I
often drive my diesel westy).

Save the money, get the gasket set and drive on.

Jim

On Nov 27, 2006, at 8:42 PM, Jason Willenbrock wrote:

> Okay,
> 190,000 miles on engine.  headgaskets leaking.  Should I bother
> replacing
> them or just go for a new engine?  Money is tight.  I would replace
> the head
> gaskets myself saving a lot in labor.  my fear is once I get in
> there the
> heads may be so corroded that replacing the gaskets would only be a
> bandaid.
>  What is the collective wisom here.  Engine is still strong so I am
> almost
> inclined to just do the gasket job.  Just in case heads are bad,
> what would
> a good used set go for??
> thanks
> jason
>
> _________________________________________________________________
> Get free, personalized commercial-free online radio with MSN Radio
> powered
> by Pandora http://radio.msn.com/?icid=T002MSN03A07001
>