Date: Tue, 24 Jul 2007 22:13:08 -0400
Reply-To: Greg Marshall <Mr.Marshall@SYMPATICO.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Greg Marshall <Mr.Marshall@SYMPATICO.CA>
Subject: Re: Replacing heads, engine still in the van
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset="iso-8859-1";
reply-type=original
You're lucky it's the passenger side. Replacing the passenger side head with
the engine in is not too bad, provided things are not too rusty. The engine
tin screws can get pretty siezed. The driver side head is much harder. I'm
not sure it's even possible given the oil cooler/tin arrangement.
Anyhow, to get the passenger head off, first drop the exhaust and remove the
bottom tin, then disconnect the wiring, then remove the intake manifold.
Once you're down to the top side engine tin, it can get pretty knuckle
banging. Be prepared for a bit of prying and bending. After the tin is
off, it's just a matter of undoing the bolts and sliding the head off.
Having a friend helps.
Again, if things are fairly clean and rust free, it's much easier. Any
rusty bolts could lead to broken or stripped bolts, which will make things
way worse for you. Be slow and patient.
I went through this last year. I dropped the engine to replace both heads,
then put it all back together again. I fired it up, and a valve stuck open.
I learned the hard way to make sure the valves and valve guides are really
really clean. A tiny bit of grit cost me a lot of extra time. I ended up
not dropping the engine the second time, and pulled the head with the engine
in.
Best,
Greg
1982 Westy.
----- Original Message -----
From: "John" <vanagonvw@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, July 24, 2007 9:14 PM
Subject: Replacing heads, engine still in the van
> Greetings...... as I go round and around about how to proceed with
> repairs,
> I am leaning towards attempting to replace a cylinder head on my 81 air
> cooled vanagon, without pulling the engine. Got lots of help as to how to
> pull the engine, and it doesn't seem that difficult, however.....
>
> I am just wanting to solicit words from anyone who has actually replaced a
> head, still in the van. I get the feeling it can be done, but beyond that,
> I
> have no idea what I am in for, so if you have done it, I would surely like
> to hear from you. If it matters, its the one on the passenger side.
>
> This would be the fastest way to get my van back on the road before the
> fall
> camping season arrives. Might not be the best long term, but I think I am
> willing to do the quick fix, and deal with the long term fix, in the dead
> of
> winter, when there is nothing much going on anyway.
>
> I am guessing that but for the tin and the heat exchangers, its much the
> same for an air cooled as a waterboxer?
>
> As I read Bentley, and try to imagine the process, I am unable to envision
> if I have to pull the exhaust and intake from both sides, or will removing
> it from the one head, allow each to move far enough, to allow the head to
> come off?
>
> Any words of experience would be most appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> John
| 
