My lil' beastie is going on it's 42nd year
and it's original except for a new #4 exhaust valve installed 26+ years ago. I've had 2 exhaust manifolds and replaced the head gasket when I did the valves (valve job) and got the siezed A-4 I'd just purchased cheap because it needed an "engine"
. I also installed a new oberdorfer water pump about 7 or 8 years ago. Other than that just standard good maintenance practices.
It's never left me stranded yet!!!
Dave Neptune