on 4/23/2000 5:36 PM, John D. Stepto at jstepto@CHESCO.COM wrote:

In the Bentley manual, one of the steps for replacing the head gaskets is
remove the crankshaft pulley.  What is the reason for this?  Is it to remove
the coolant cross-over pipe?  Are the special tools requiered to lock the
crank or can the van be put in gear and chock the tires?

P.S. I will be going to Campbelltown, PA and hope to meet Ken there.

TIA, John
'84 Westy

John,
I replaced that crossover pipe this past January without removing that ole'
pulley. It was a real B*@$H to even move. I rented a HUGE breaker bar and I
bent it!  I had to replace the old crossover pipe, so I wasn't concerned
with what it looked like after removal. I had a brand new one from
CamelbackVW to go in. Getting it out wan't the hard part. Putting the new
one back was. The sticking point is the o-ring end.

My Solution: With a small metal file I removed enough material from the case
to slide (wiggle) it past the sticking point. Be carefule not to bend the
end out of round! It was close but dooable and non destructive.
Make sure you use new o-ring and gasket on the sealing surfaces along with
the GREY permatex.
Cheers,
Dave C.
Williamsburg, VA
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'85 GL Westy (His)
'91 Cabriolet (Hers)