Date:         Tue, 21 Jan 1997 07:40:23 -0500 (EST)
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         HelFle8953@aol.com
Subject:      Re: The infamous leaking head gasket

In a message dated 97-01-20 12:03:22 EST, smitht@unb.ca (Tim Smith) writes:

<< 
 > From the looks of the rest of the van, the PO was also meticulous.  I find
 >it odd that both sides failed at the same time.
 
 why?  :)  cold temps cause the alloy water jackets t shrink the same on each
 side, and I'd say your gaskets are both old/hardened the same amount.
 Uniform wear/aging.  Try retorquing when cold, this _should_ work.  I'd try
 to re/re the gaskets asap, since with no prior leaks I'd guess that they
 haven't been corroded too badly yet.  Anyhow, it's a warning...  Tim
 
  >>

Thanks for the warning.  I will try to hold off until the weather breaks to
do the job myself.  This procedure seems pretty critical and my local
mechanic will charge $1100.  He has done several of them and claims to get a
special gasket set for $400 from "a company in NJ".  Any comments on 1)
waiting for 2 months and 2) doing it myself 3) other things to do while heads
are off?

Thanks

John Fleming

85 Westy (145K)
79 Camaro
54 Ford F150