1st time owner needs help please!

[Emma]

I bought a '77 van in the fall, drove it for 3 months and then it broke down on the side of the road. I had it towed to a shop and they told me that the cam gear rivets were loose, but that i could most likely get away with driving it for a while before i had to fix it. Being short on cash, I decided if I could wait to fix it, then i would, until I could better afford it. So they replaced a valve cover gasket and put oil in it and then called me to take it home. A block away from my house it died again. I called back, mechanic came to look at it and said that I now need a whole new engine, the rivets had been sheared off.
So my question is, easy enough to fix? Or not worth it? At this point, I am also trying to move, and working overtime to save up some money, wondering if this is a project that I can realistically take on right now.
HELP!
thanks!
Emma

[Beetle]

So my question is, easy enough to fix? Or not worth it?

That's a nice bus, Emma!!
I'd definitely keep it and do the work when you can afford it.

[rfbraunjr]

That's some mechanic you found there.  Emma, this is a case where a second opinion could be worthwhile.  Case-in-point, why would any self-respecting mechanic that was worth his salt, send you away with a timing gear ready to let go of the cam?  Another point to ponder is how he could report such a finding without disassembling the engine? 

The best thing about these engines is that they'll run forever.  My advise to you is to find a reputable mechanic that is familiar with VW engines.  I think you'll be happy you did, because new engines are expensive.