Yesterday I started the van (89 Westy GL, 2.1, manual transmission) let it
run a moment or two as everyone buckled in and got about 20 feet down the
road when I noticed billowing white smoke/steam around the back window.
Reversed back into my parking spot, jumped out to see that it was coming
out of the tailpipe and shut the van down. Altogether the engine ran for
maybe 3 minutes. We used the other car to run the needed errands, but got
back too late to look into the van any further. This morning I opened the
engine lid, checked coolant levels and the oil for evidence of coolant. All
appeared normal, but it had all night to cool down. I decided to try a
quick startup and get a better look and sniff of the steam. The starter
engaged solidly but the engine did not turn (or turned a very small bit
then locked). I shut off immediately and pulled all 4 plugs and manually
turned the crank, which did turn easily. About 1/3 cup or so of coolant was
pushed out of the spark plug hole of the passenger side front cylinder
(that plug was dark and wet when pulled). Liquid won't compress, so the
engine didn't turn.
I'm assuming best case is leaking head gasket(s), sucking coolant in on the
intake stroke to cause the smoke/steam and then sucking the 1/3 cup in as
the engine cooled overnight. Next worst case is cracked head. Most worst
case is any further damage.
I have two basic questions:
- Do my assumptions seem correct (blown head gasket, etc.)?
- How hard is it to replace the head gaskets on the passenger side?

The engine is a rebuild (from Boston Engine according to the paperwork)
with about 65,000 miles on it. I've replaced brake lines, power steering
lines, water pump plus normal maintenance work, have metric sockets and
wrenches,torque wench, dremel. I think I might need a small torch for the
exhaust nuts and bolts. I have the Bentley manual. I have some mechanical
experience, but the last time I had the head off an engine was about 30
years ago on an air cooled parallel twin motorcycle (easy to work on). In
addition to the gasket set I plan on getting an exhaust fastener/gasket set
- any other items I should do (maybe replace the coolant hoses)? Any advice
on special tools or gotchas to watch for? I'm in South Carolina and the
only two vanagon mechanics within 100 miles retired awhile ago.

Thanks,
Paul