I've finally gotten around to looking at the bus - had to buy some ramps to drive up the back end on to get it high enough. I pulled the bottom tin and with the engine idling, yep I can definitely feel exhaust escaping there.

Also, there's a lot of oil leaking on the bottom of the engine, and as best I can tell it's coming from the push rod tubes. Guess I should replace those seals, too. Is that a job that can be done by mere mortals? Like I don't have to drop the engine or anything? I've never done it before.

I think I bought the wrong gaskets, these square ones appear to be for '79 and they are more oval shaped for '78 and earlier. So I guess I'll be checking Mainly Foreign and Tri-State tomorrow to see if I can pick up the right ones.

The bolts that hold the rocker arms down also hold down springs if I remember correctly  that keep the push rod tubes into place. Once the springs are removed the pushrod tube slides right out through the top of the head. If you want I can show you how it all goes together on my parts type 4 engine. Those oval copper gaskets that you need are 3 bucks a piece from mainly foreign. I have a couple of new ones here if you wanna just get me some new ones at a later time. Also check on the internet. there is a guide on there that talks about annealing the copper first with a blow torch to soften the metal so that they seat better when you install them. he explains the process of how to do so and tells you how to know when they are ready to install. (by the sound they make when dropped on a concrete floor)

My heater boxes look different than Ratwell's. His go directly into the sides whereas mine seem to have their own pipe that bolts to a J-shaped tube from the heater box. Do I have to remove the whole heater box? It looks like I can just unbolt from the head and at the end of the pipe.

I have 2 new copper gaskets... so enough for one side of the engine. I also have one of those blow torches thats about the size of a small fire extinguisher... I think thats what the guy used in his how-to guide. I can bring them tommorrow but I may need you to remind me to make sure I dont forget!

you should only technically have to remove just enough to get at the gaskets that you need to replace.  yours has the pipe probably because of emissions... so might be easier. I know I have just the heater boxes on mine, and I can remove one side at a time if I need to, while still leaving the muffler in place... held up by still being bolted to the other side.

First of all, did I get the right seals? They seem very square and the pipes look more round. But maybe it's squared off at the end?

Those are Vanagon gaskets. The best thing

I work down near mainly foreign. Give me a text/email IN THE MORNING (boss is calling it a half day tomorrow), if you want me to pick some up and bring them to the cruise in. I'll try to check the forum, but give me a text just to be sure.

Call and check, cause I don't want to own the wrong ones either!

I definitely will. Ratwell has a pretty good article on sealing exhaust to the head: http://www.ratwell.com/technical/Exhaust.html