Might just be a stuck lifter.  Trying to pull a head on that with the engine
in place might be rough.  I have done it on my '79, but not on a Vanagon.
The difficulth comes in getting the front cooling tin to clear the head for
removal.  Did you try checking valve adjustment?  I think I'd look there
first.  Good luck.
Steve Sandlin   www.steveslockshop.com
'84 Wolfsburg Westy
'79 Transporter
'00 New Beetle