Jay,
>Is it better to have a "new" Spanish head or a rebuilt >german head. It is >going on a motor of unknown mileage and I'll only be >replacing one. >Opinions?
The new AMC heads are better designed by adding extra material to thin spots prone to crack on VW heads. The aluminum is a better quality then the German aluminum, BUT it still can corrode. The Italian valves used in the heads are prone to PULLING OUT OF THE KEEPERS causing a dropped valve. I learned this when I bought my AMC heads from AVP. They put German valves in their New AMC heads. I had my head sealing surface ceramic coated ($80 per head) to eliminate the problem. I have had reports of owners in the past eliminating the problem with a coating on the head. I chose the Swain Tech coatings for the heat controlling properties, it helps to eliminate over heating (the second common problem on Vanagons). If your heads are bad, and the engine has been severely overheated before, get new heads BUT get German valves put in with a 3 angle cut on the seat and a two angle cut on the valve (It helps improve the flow in the engine and the heads do not have the proper cuts on them, mine were not). If it is in your budget, get the sealing surface ceramic coated to prevent future damage. Robert
________________________________________________________________ Get FREE voicemail, fax and email at http://voicemail.excite.com Talk online at http://voicechat.excite.com |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.