Date:         Tue, 6 Sep 2005 22:02:01 -0400
Reply-To:     Michael Edwards <medwards1@TRIAD.RR.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Edwards <medwards1@TRIAD.RR.COM>
Subject:      Standard Repair Times - Rings / Heads
Comments: cc: rrecardo@WEBTV.NET, dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET, inua@CHARTER.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
              reply-type=original

Thanks to all who responded.  Sorry I forgot to mention it is an 87 2.1L
with 82k.  The reason I'm looking at new rings is because I get smoke at
start up after it has been sitting for a while and have noticed some oil
consumption without a leak.  My thought was, "well the heads are already
off, shouldn't take too long to throw on a set of rings".  That's why I was
so shocked when he mentioned having to split the case.  I'm new to my 2.1
but have torn down enough Type 1 engines to know that sounds funny.  Sounds
like the consensus is:
The engine doesn't have to be removed to do the head seals.
The cases don't have to be split to do the rings.
Given John's response and the relatively low mileage I'll probably forgo the
bottom end rebuild and try to get out of this without too much more money.
Seems if you go to far the economies of scale start to kick in and its
cheaper just to exchange for a full rebuilt engine.