71 Beetle question

[White99GSX]

Hi,
I'm thinking about purchasing a 1971 Beetle but the add says that it has a bad head gasket, everything that I've read doesn't mention a head gasket in that engine.
Anyway I was just wondering if there is a head gasket and if so how hard is it to change, If there isn't a gasket what else could it be.
Thanks,
Adam

[boschmann]

What they probably mean is the head has come loose & you hear a popping noise from loosing compression. This is usually caused by the head studs pulling loose from the case (stripping) but can just be that they loosened & need to be retorqued. Retightening would be a best case scenario & t do it properly the engine will have to come out & sheet metal removed to gain access to the upper head studs. Otherwise, and most likely, the studs have pulled loose & the engine case will need to be remachined (rebuilt). There are "superstuds" on the market which are oversized self tapping studs. I don't reccommend them as usually if the head has been run loose it has damaged the sealing surface to the cylinder & will need to be reworked anyway.

[barretire]

Originally Posted by White99GSX

Hi,
I'm thinking about purchasing a 1971 Beetle but the add says that it has a bad head gasket, everything that I've read doesn't mention a head gasket in that engine.
Anyway I was just wondering if there is a head gasket and if so how hard is it to change, If there isn't a gasket what else could it be.
Thanks,
Adam

No head gasket retorque the head.