If the 'mechanic' actually thinks that the water retainers have anything to do with compression, find somebody else to talk to Robert!! Those aren't 'head gaskets', those rubber seals are 'water retainers'.

On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 10:13 PM, Robert Stewart <robertmstewart@mac.com>wrote:

> The good news is that I replaced the entire exhaust with an S&S system > and new exhaust bolts I got from Ken at Vanagain. > > I just had him send me a Gasket Kit as well. When the van overheated > it started to melt the connecting ends of the thermostat housing so I > got a new one of those too. > > I checked my records and the Engine was rebuilt at 175,000 miles > (minus the 236,000 on it means it was 61,000 miles since the rebuild), > the Heads and Gaskets were replaced 6 years ago by the 2nd previous > owner/mechanic. Now what I don't know is what the details were on the > engine rebuild. I was going to try and call the previous owners to > find out. > > I considered doing a compression test, but was told by the mechanic > due that crack in the gaskets it would not give an accurate reading. I > assume this is true? > > Would there be any benefit to having the mechanic do anything to the > engine while the gaskets were being installed if he did the work? i.e. > lifter or valve adjustments? > > Does anyone know of a place on the east coast that would machine the > heads if it is necessary? I have been asking around they tell me that > most of those shops closed up years ago around here. > > I found one shop about 15 miles away, its a nice new big shop, never > used them before. They told me it would be $74 an hour and they do > have a local person who can machining of the heads if necessary. They > seem much more professional than any of these other guys. Its a huge > new shop that is in a metal hanger with like 8 lifts in it, very clean. > If I used them lets say is was 15 hours @ $74 = $1110 labor > > Optionally I got lead on used engine for $1200 with newly > reconditioned heads and gaskets from a shop in MD. > VWjoe@compuserve.com had an ad on Samba that someone here pointed me > towards (thanks to that person), anyway he has a full service shop and > said I could either have the engine shipped or he could install it at > his place. All his heads are reconditioned as new.* > > Thoughts? > > R > > > On Aug 21, 2008, at 11:46 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote: > > I really do not worry about the exhaust studs or bolts if the heads >> are >> coming off anyway. The drill press and heli-coils take care of it and >> heli-coils actually make a stronger connection and they are stainless. >> >> >> >> Dennis >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Jake de Villiers [mailto:crescentbeachguitar@gmail.com] >> Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 11:43 PM >> To: Dennis Haynes >> Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com >> Subject: Re: Engine Replacement or Gasket Fix? >> >> >> >> I haven't noticed anybody mentioning the REAL hard part about the head >> re-seal ie the exhaust manifold studs. >> >> I'm sure that's the reason the old guy doesn't like doing them - the >> studs, especially on a Rust-belt van, are going to be very difficult >> for >> an experienced pro, let alone a beginner. >> >> Swapping a whole motor with exhaust attached would be cake Robert but >> those studs are as tricky as it gets in auto repair.... >> >> On Thu, Aug 21, 2008 at 7:42 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com >> > >> wrote: >> >> Here on Long Island most shops are getting $90/hour and up. Some of >> the >> dealers are well over $100. >> >> While Vanagon head gaskets are usually not all that bad an ordeal, >> things >> do go wrong. If I was paying for the work, I would want someone that >> knows >> what they may be getting into and be sure of what the costs will be >> when >> things go south. What risks are they willing to take? Will you be >> out $500 >> for labor and have a scrap engine if a stud breaks? Negotiate what >> they >> will eat up front. >> >> Dennis >> >> >> >> -----Original Message----- >> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On >> Behalf Of >> >> Richard A Jones >> Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 10:21 PM >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >> >> Subject: Re: Engine Replacement or Gasket Fix? >> >> I would not want anyone who dislikes waterboxers and wants to >>> charge 80 >>> >> an >> >>> hour touching it. >>> >> >> I'm in Glenwood Spring, Colorado, and gas here costs 50 cents more >> than >> the Front Range (Denver, etc.) Well, so does labor (and labour, too!) >> Boulder-Denver labor is $85-90, but one of the shops here that knows >> old VWs and Vanagons is $120. Everything costs more here. >> >> So for one part of the country to rate the costs in another doesn't >> have much validity. >> >> I agree about "anyone who dislikes waterboxers...." >> >> Richard >> >> >> >> >> -- >> Jake >> 1984 Vanagon GL >> 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie" >> Crescent Beach, BC >> www.crescentbeachguitar.com >> http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27 >> >

-- Jake 1984 Vanagon GL 1986 Westy Weekender "Dixie" Crescent Beach, BC www.crescentbeachguitar.com http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27