Date:         Mon, 28 Feb 2000 05:50:55 PST
Reply-To:     Richard Bias <rbias@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Bias <rbias@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Stuck Cylinders: Any New "Tricks"?
Comments: To: stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Joe,
  If you decide to just go ahead and pull the heads with the cylinders
attached, don't worry.  I spent 3 days getting the first set off one head
and then 4 minutes getting the second set off.  Lay the head down with the
cylinders laying on wood.  Put a big "flat head" screw driver in between the
thick lips on the cylinder walls where it would meet the block and tap it a
few times.  The trick is that you are leveraging the cylinders alone,
against them selves!  When the one falls off, then just get the flat head
under the lips of the other and tap again.  Off come both cylinders.  Let me
know if there is anything else.  I did it once a few months ago and I have
to start doing it again.  Compression in the coolant system...
  Rich and Annemarie
85 GL "Buba"
98 Bug




>From: Stuart <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
>Reply-To: Stuart <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Re: Stuck Cylinders: Any New "Tricks"?
>Date: Sun, 27 Feb 2000 10:53:21 -0800
>
>The only thing you haven't tried is the universal wrench, HEAT!  Use a
>propane torch to slowly heat the top of the cylinder and the head (keep
>it moving), and keep tapping! Forget the dog part, it won't help!
>
>You might also get a piece of 1/4" x 1" bar stock about 1 1/2 feet long,
>drill a hole in the middle, and bold it on to one of the rocker arm
>studs (vertically).  Then you can grip each end and gently "rock" the
>head loose without pulling it.
>
>At some point you might just decide that you are past the point of
>saving any time or effort, and just pull the whole mess off the pistons.
>
>Good luck.
>
>"Joe L." wrote:
> >
> >    Well, I did the right gaskets last year and now I am deep inside the
> > left. The project proceeds splendidly but for one thing; those %&$&%^
> > Cylinders are stuck to the &^%$^ Head and refuse to budge.
> >    When this happened last time the only "technique" for taking them off
>was
> > much prying, pounding, drowning in penetrating oil, waiting, tapping,
> > cussing, swearing, kicking the dog, saying to hell with it, going to bed
>and
> > getting up early the next day to start in again. This to be repeated
>until
> > the cylinders finally quit. The last time I think it took some 5 days of
> > this and things look no better this time. I have been unable to come up
>with
> > any ideas that do not involve high explosives so I thought I would poll
>the
> > listees.
> >    Anyone have any "techniques" or "Tricks" for seperating these
>things?.
> >
> > PS
> >  I really dont want to remove the head with the cylinders. I know there
>are
> > some tricks that will get them back past the rings but Murphy lurks and
>I am
> > not ready to go that route quite yet.

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