Date:         Sat, 30 Nov 2002 17:56:09 -0800
Reply-To:     Brian Spisak <bspisak@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Brian Spisak <bspisak@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Cyl Head:  Stuck = Warped?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Hi all,

I've tried all the tricks (prying, pounding, twisting, wrenching, heating,
cussing, oiling, and all of 'em over again) but cannot free one of my
cylinders from the head. I did this job a year ago and had a stuck cylinder
then, but eventually freed it with the help of some tips in the archves.
Everthing was fine after that job until I recently overheated after breaking
a fan belt.  Ended up with the same problem as before - overheating due to
compression leak into cooling system.  Now what to do?

Option 1: Keep going till I somehow get it off.  How likely that I'll crack
the rings in the process (if I haven't already with all the pounding)?  If
the thing is that stuck, is the head warped?  If so, bad enough to not seal
after new gaskets?  Any body have any new tricks to try?

Option 2: Pull the cylinder:  I know it's a bear, but possible to get the
thing back on.  Will this damage the rings as they pass over any ridge at
the bottom of the cylinder?  If not, I don't see why I can't reuse the same
rings?

Option 3: Pull the engine.  Then I can rering the whole damn thing.  Should
I do the mains and rod bearings, too?  With almost 200,000 miles am I better
off with a lower mileage block?

Option 4: New engine.  Expensive.

Option 5: Translplant.  I have a Syncro and don't want to give up ground
clearance, or raise the hatch because I always sleep downstairs.  Are there
any other options?  I haven't seen any that satisfy both requirements.

Thanks for any advice,
Brian *sigh*
'87 Westy Syncro