How much can I take off a block and head?

I pulled out a 2.3L on a 93 ford range and need about.012" to deck the head and about the same on the block. But… There are some pretty nice sized gouges in the surfaces so I'm estimating that I would actually have to remove around.30" of material from both the block and the head… Personally, I think this is WAY too much metal to be taking off but I'm asking around on a few different places to see if anyone has ever successfully machined off that much metal. I don't really like using a head riser because it just creates a failure point, but I realize I'd have to.

Added (1). * I meant to write.03 instead of.3

Where can I find engine size in 1996 Ford Econoline Passenger Van?

I want to change oil in my van, I just bought it used a few months ago. Owner's Manual lists 4 different engine sizes for it. I can't find anything under the hood or any paper ID that lists the engine size for it. Just wondering if anyone else has any ideas. It's a van with a short hood and the engine can't be seen from under the hood.

Is it hard to find parts for a '95 Chevy Caprice?

I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I'm stuck between buying a 95 Caprice because I loe the body style and shape because it reminds me of the Crown Victoria. But my great pop said "Never buy a Ford" because he had new Fords nad always had problems and never looked back when he went to Chevy/GMC. Then I'm stuck with buying a '03 Buick Park Avenue Ultra which may or may not be there when I'm ready to buy potentially leaving me with the '95 Caprice because I'm sure nobody is in no rush to buy that at this time. I saw somebody driving a 1966 Volvo and thought parts for old cars aren't hard to find. Then again, I had trouble finding a tie rod for my old Saturn before it got wrecked. What should I do?

Added (1). The Chevy has 90k Miles and the Buick has 96k miles

Which is better, a Ford or a Volkswagen?

Let's not yet jump into specific models. I know already know what the japanese cars are made of, but for now I want a western car this time. Which of these two brands really deliver my money's worth, In terms of overall brand durability (most important), drivability, and feel (indoor texture, leather feel, gadgets?). A brand that will be at par or even better with most of the japanese brands, a brand that embodies excellent operations engineering from the it's facotry plant, all the way to my garage! - cheers!

How to Drive John Deere (6900)?

I was wondering could anyone be of a help, I have experience driving tractors, massey, ford/ New holland.

So going to be driving a John Deere 6900 ( never drove one before) so could someone give me a quick run through on the gears etc…

Are VW cars made by ford?

I'm curious to know if they are even part ford part gm themselves? Since the audi cars are shared with bmw and bmw/audi/ are owned by ford? And shared with vw and their line of products, does that mean that they are owned by ford or not?

Added (1). isn't renault owned by gm though?

Added (2). does anyone have any clue?