Date:         Sun, 25 Jan 2009 17:16:07 -0600
Reply-To:     Jerry <jbvelo@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jerry <jbvelo@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject:      Re: heads- bus depot or van cafe??
In-Reply-To:  <497CD99B.70009@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

I should inform all that Boston Engine uses new AMC heads.
Bob would discard the new valves that came with the heads and
install new OEM German valves using interference angle valve grinding
method.

JB 88GL GUIDO



-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ken Wilford
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 3:29 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: heads- bus depot or van cafe??

If it was me I would go with new heads instead of rebuilt but I
understand money restraints.  I actually have a pair of fairly low
mileage AMC heads that were on a rebuilt engine that the lower end
died.  They had about 15k miles on them.  I would take $350 each for
them with no core if you are interested.

The problem with the rebuilt heads is two fold.  The financial problem
is that 99% of the time you are going to be told that your cores are bad
and get charged a core charge.  So you lose your core and your shipping
money.  The rebuilder tells you that your heads are bad so they are junk
and you knew that already that is why you were replacing them.

The other problem comes with trying to repair an old head.  VW heads are
prone to crack between the valves.  They all do this and VW even has a
limit on how much a head can crack and still be good.  When a rebuilder
reworks a head they will grind down the crack between the valves and
then reweld the head in that area.  Any welder knows that now you have
just introduced more stress into the metal and now you are going to get
a new crack in that area in short order.  Also the OE VW heads had a
tendency to crack externally near one of the head nut seats.  This is
also a known problem and happens because the metal isn't thick enough in
that spot.  The new AMC heads are thicker in this area to eliminate this
problem.

I have a great, step by step write up on removing, cleaning, and
replacing your head gaskets and heads.  I give this to my customers who
buy heads and gaskets from me.  It is like a mini head gasket
replacement manual.  If you bought your parts through me I would include
this to you at no cost.  For folks who want to get this write up to see
if replacing heads is beyond their mechanical scope I can sell the write
up for $29 and then if you decide to get your parts through me after
looking it over I will deduct the $29 from your order.  Just FYI.

I have installed way more sets of AMC heads on customer's Vanagons than
I would like to think about over the last 10 years.  I have NEVER had a
valve issue even one time.  I have NEVER had a head not be straight or
cause other problems.  Just my experience.  I know there is a lot of
info out there talking about the AMC heads, I just thought I would throw
in my experience.

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com


Matthew wrote:
> i need a set of rebuilt wasserboxer heads.
>
> van-cafe has'em for $350 + core
> bus depot has'em for $220 + core
>
> Anybody have experience with one set versus the other?
> thanks
> matt
>
>
> "may the four winds blow you safely home"
>
>