Colin,Amskeptic wrote: Anyways, I think Randy is correct, we have an issue with the AMC heads. You may remember me crabbily crabbing about "dimension-creep" with successive generations of aftermarket parts, and AMC heads are not immune. You can and should (for fun and productivity) remove the valve cover and crarefully set aside the gasket. Place the gasketless valve cover on the head, and see if it comfortably fits over the head's gasket sealing surface with a little play as you move it for and aft and up and down a little. If it is a tight fit, you want to reduce the outer perimeter of the AMC gasket sealing surface width. My observation, lost in the hysteria of our day, was that the leading edge (next to the #3 exhaust rocker arm)was incorrectly cast. Was I also bitching about the serpentine wire being all bent of shape next to the #3 exhaust where it is supposed to tuck along the radius of the cylinder head? I shore cain't remember all these Volkswagens' details. . .
Colihoma
The bent-to-shit wire was on the 1/2 head, whereas the crappy(ier) seal is on the 3/4 head. It's barely leaking as it is, not enough to smoke or smell, so I'm not terribly inclined to do anything immediately, but I feel obligated to "Colin-ize" the thing so it's perfect.
The van runs awesome by the way. I drove it today and loved every power-full minute of it.
So here's the question ~ when you say "reduce the outer perimeter of the AMC gasket sealing surface width" can you be more specific? Do you mean that I should grind down the outer edge, so that the cover moves a bit more freely (assuming it doesn't move enough, or doesn't seat well)?
I'm not above such craziness (in the long run) but I'd like a little guidance... heh.
Best,
Lanval