John,
Did you do a compression test before you removed the head?
I think all VW boxer heads develop cracks between the valve seats =
in normal
use. The real question is .... How badly cracked?
I recently replaced one head and resealed the other on my '84 =
1.9L.
Number 1 would not hold compression and I was getting combustion gas =
into the
coolant.
I disassembled and there were (as expected) cracks between all the =
valve
seats. The one for #1 cylinder was a tad wider than the rest,
though. I had the heads pressure tested by a machine shop and the =
one for
#1 cylinder was the only one that failed (again ... as expected).
I purchased a new (not rebuilt) AMC head from Van-again as I didn't =
want
one that might have "Failed" for someone else then been welded to where =
it would
pass a pressure test .... but might not pass the test of actual =
use.
After reassembly, and a few 200 mile trips, I drove the van from =
Houlton,
Maine to Bristol, Virginia (with a side trip to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee) =
and
back, averaging 70 to 75 MPH. More than 1300 miles each way. =
4
adults, 1 child, an 80LB Boxer dog and all our "Stuff". It =
performed
admirably .... getting better than 20 MPG. I didn't check it close =
enough
to determine how much better, but certainly better. The best part =
.... NO
OVERHEATING! No combustion gasses into the coolant.
I used to call my '84 GL, "Cold Shoulder" .... 'cause it usually =
had me on
the shoulder ... out in the cold.
Since the Virginia trip I've been calling him "Mongo". Mongo =
strong
now. Mongo impressed!
Mike
'84 GL "Mongo"
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Sunday, October 21, 2001 =
5:37
PM
Subject: Just one head?
Volks, =
I have a
1984 Westy that I have been working on for almost a year. When I =
finally
got the engine to quit bucking and stalling, It ran ok for about a =
week but
then started getting exhaust gasses in the coolant and would try to =
overheat.
I took the passenger side cylinder head off and found a crack =
that ran
from the exhaust valve seat to the intake valve seat on one of the =
cylinders.
I think that this is the source of my problem. This head =
was a
replacement head and had no pitting under the outer gasket. =
I
have three questions:
1. =
Can
an auto machine shop weld up this crack and I reinstall the head.
2. If I have =
to get a
rebuilt head, can I replace only one head or must cylinder
=
hea=
ds be
replaced in pairs.
3. =
Does
anyone have any experinece with rebuilt cylinderheads from Bus Depot.
Thanks in advance and If anyone has any relevant =
cylinderhead
wisdom that they would like impart--please feel free.
John =
Houser,
Jr.
Perry, Ga.