Date:         Sat, 21 Nov 1998 22:03:39 -0800
Reply-To:     DeCristoforo <decristoforo@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         DeCristoforo <decristoforo@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
Subject:      Re: head gaskets
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

I did the passanger side head with the motor still in.  Unfortunately,
one cylinder sleeve did come out with the head!  After talking to some
really "old" VW'ers, I fashoned a ring compresser out of banding wire
and used a very small pair of needle-nosed grip pliers to hold it.  I
oiled that puppy good with Mystery Oil and slowly tapped the cylinder
back on, letting it push the compresser as it went.  I oiled the inside
of the cylinder as well.  It worked just like the "old boy" told me!
The banding wire is only usable once because it gets pretty distorted
when you unclip it and pull it off.  That was at 130,000 miles.  Now at
194000 miles, its time to do the drivers head again.  It was last done
at 72,000 miles.  Oh yes, these are the original heads and I've never
had them machined.  Just use lots of VW black goop and a torque wrench.

Ralph
1985 Vanagon GL/194000 miles
Spokane WA