Cylinder Head Opinions

[michaelarmstrong01]

Hi

I just removed my cylinder heads to replace water seal/head gaskets. I had spotted a massive leak coming from passenger side push rod tubes. The water seal/gasket was completely destroyed. I'm looking for opinions/comments on my heads. As well as anything else I should look for on my engine block. First time/newbie. I removed the heads without removing the engine fairly easily. Only cam across one stuck bolt. Please help.

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[candyman]

Whats your plan for the engine? Those heads are severely pitted. Just a quick look shows cracking between valves, to be expected. Try filling the each intake port with gas and look for leaks at the valve seats (use gas because its thinner than water). No leaks, great. If it leaks, well...

Chances are new heads are in order. BUT you may need more work while you are in there. Hows your piston and cylinders, rods, bearings, bottom end etc.... ?
How many miles on this? You may consider at very least a full top end build using new spanish AMC heads
Need more info though
Good luck!

Edit: it Looks like it was rebuilt or at least head gasket replaced once before judging by all the yellow

[1vw4x4]

I have rebuilt over 31 vanagon engines. What you have here is fairly typical
of what one would find. The yellow color tells me that this engine has
never been opened up since new. This yellow material is put on the heads
from the factory. Therefore if you do the job right you will get a lot more
miles out of the heads and engine.

You need to flush the cooling system and use distilled water with new antifreeze.

Sandblast the head gasket surface to remove all corrosion.

Clean all gaskets and gasket surfaces with brake clean before assembling.

Use "the right stuff" in place of the sealer that comes with the gasket set.
Work it into the head and gasket surface when assembling.

If you do these tricks that I've learned you will easily get ten years
out of your head gaskets.

Pmail me if I can be of more help..

[insyncro]

www.benplace.com

All you need to DIY.

[ftp2leta]

There is a fairly new tool in town for cleaning head surface.

10$ and it goes on any rotary air tool.

But I'm at home now and don't remember the name

I personally don't like sandblast on any internal part, unless the head is in pieces and would be carefully clean after.

The thing whit the new tool is it doesn't do any kind of dust. No real residue.

I'll reply back later with the name.

Ben
_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
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FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
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[ftp2leta]

Product page:
http://3mcollision.com/products/abrasives/bristle-...-Disc.html

Demo:


Link

_________________
Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta

[1vw4x4]

Here in the states these things are called wizzy wheels. I've been using these for 15+ years. Not new. At any rate, these are good for surface issues but will not get into the pitting like sand blasting will. Follow my advice and dismantle the heads and SAND BLAST them ! After you sand blast wash the heads! I do this on every rebuild.

ITs no wonder why head gasket don't last and people give up on
the vanagon engine! ITS NOT THE ENGINE!

[bluebus86]

You might consider new AMC heads, might be cheaper in the long run verses welding up the cracks in yours. Note that several years ago when I did mine, the word was AMC heads were excellent, even better than OEM heads, however the valves where of poor quality that came with the heads, so I got AMC heads with different valves. it proved less expensive than welding up my old heads I was doing a full rebuild at the time and put in big bore pistons to up her from 2.1 to 2.2 liter, works nice.
_________________
Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information

Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022

[1vw4x4]

You do not need to weld up anything! Those cracks between the valves are
totally insignificant, unless they have grown bigger than 1 mm. In your
case these are NOT an issue.

[ftp2leta]

[michaelarmstrong01]

Thanks everyone!

As expected, mixed views. If I go the new heads route: Do I get the GoWesty heads that are slightly more expensive? Or just any AMC heads?

[djkeev]

[ftp2leta]

[michaelarmstrong01]

I guess my question now is:

Were the cracks the cause of the leak or was it those terrible seals? Is it the pitting?

I also didn't mention. A few of my push rods are bent. Will def need to replace.

[djkeev]

[michaelarmstrong01]

pretty sure i'm just going to purchase new heads....

[1vw4x4]

[Wildthings]

[michaelarmstrong01]

Took a good look at my push rods: laid them on the table. 6 are bent. Does this call for 6 new rods? Is there a degree in which it doesn't matter? 30 bucks a pop at GW..

[ftp2leta]