Date:         Sun, 6 Apr 2008 21:12:44 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Shazam <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: 1985 Vanagon - small job getting bigger - please advise as to
              rings, valves, etc.
Comments: To: AAG - Larry Word <word_aag@COMCAST.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <009301c8985f$db701550$6601a8c0@WordHomePC>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi yeah, projects grow all right.
Each time you do 4 things, it dictates or justifies 5 more things, and that
in turn dictates or justifies 6 more other things.

And when I have the barrels off the pistons, I'm thinking it's only one more
step to new rod bearings, which isn't a bad idea.

So it's a conundrum.
The fist thing I'd do is find out about this broken stud.
The ones I've seen break, broke at the base of the stud down in the case. 
Not an easy thing to deal with at all.
I think finding out what the 'real story' is there might dictate how far to
go.  
I'm a huge believer in not speculating until you know the REAL
FACTS......and the first step in that is disassembly.

There is also 'leave well enough alone' - like if the one side is working
now, and you take it apart, and other studs break......well.......you know.

But a serious good assesmemt with disassembly is the real right thing.

Oh, the pistons and barrels are not the weak part, 
Especially the barrels. The pistons -  check the ring grooves carefully
etc......
But 'mostly' it is likely to be OK with the barrels being honed and new
rings put in. Between the heads, the bottom end, and the pistons &
barrels.......the pistons and barrels are the very least weak part.  They
can do a LOT of miles. 
Scott
Turbovans 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
AAG - Larry Word
Sent: Sunday, April 06, 2008 8:31 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 1985 Vanagon - small job getting bigger - please advise as to
rings, valves, etc.

My daily driver broke a top stud (2nd from front, left side, looking down at
engine at rear of van) and that created bad water leak at stud.

Local VW shop says "stud breakage rare w/ 85 water Vanagon engines" and he
thinks "OK to replace only one stud" and continue down the road.....

I'm thinking.....$75 for 1/2 gasket set already, why not complete BOTH
sides, replace ALL STUDS (there is visible rust on 50% - engine has MANY
MILES), both head gaskets, etc.  But that got me into this logic:  remove
cylinder jugs, re-ring the pistons, reseal the jugs, etc.

Why stop there.....pouring gas into the intake/exhaust shows my valued are
holding seal (is that OK check?) so perhaps I'll just "lap the values"
myself, replace the head gaskets, etc. after doing the re-ring job and I'll
be good to go!

Pls. fine tune my logic here - where do I stop.  The gasket set is about
same cost for both sides as one, the rings ?>>>, the lapping process I can
handle, so why not?

Pls. advise - what would you do in my case?   Lots of miles on a junkyard
motor I put in 8 years ago so I've been lucky - due time for some renewal of
parts, correct?

PS.  How is the re-ringing process handled?  Who best to purchase these
rings?  Micing (measurement) process?  Etc.

Thanks for advance info. on this work....

Have a good day!

Larry Word
Ga.


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