Date:         Thu, 23 Feb 1995 13:31:14 -0400
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         smitht@jupiter.sun.csd.unb.ca (Tim Smith)
Subject:      Re: Surgery Update

>
>2.  Machine heads down (The heads are factory, so I'm sure there is a crack 
>starting somewhere between the        valves, the increased compression 
>would only make it worse, so that's out)
>
>3.  Clean out the pits, seal them with "Black" silicone, then replace the 
>heads (DING!)
>

Have you considered taking the worst head to a good reputable machine shop 
that specializes in aluminium alloy work, and get the pits built up by 
welding, then resurfaced (milled) to give a flat deck. They could Zyglo 
(crack check) the heads for hidden stuff also. The machine shop would likely 
not be automotive type, rather a fabrication type place. They don't have 
fixed concepts about repairing vs. discarding components, they do what you 
ask, and you pay what they ask! Could be $$$, I just don't trust silicone as 
a structural material. Will your mechanic stick by the repair, or is he 
going to hose you with "well I guess that didn't work..... now pay me 
(again) to really fix it"? What's the hourly on this job BTW, $1000 is big 
bucks to me, about half of $2350 for a new long block from VWoA. A previous 
poster had done this route and advertised his old core with NEW heads 
available to anyone for the $600 that VWoA was going to credit him.    tim s.