Ah, that's what I was thinking....

Of course, I had to go and snap one of the rings with my screwdriver (oops).
So tomorrow I'll be picking up a new set o' rings.....

Thanks all!

Don
----- Original Message -----
From: "Schmidt" <schmidt5@HSONLINE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, October 22, 2000 7:56 PM
Subject: Re: Stuck Cylinders

> Here you go-I found your answer in the archives from last year when I had
> the very problem you have now:
>
>
> Last week I querried about how to replace cylinders onto pistons when the
> cylinders insisted on coming off with the heads. Most responses were of
the
> "can't be done" variety. I have to thank Bill for telling me how to do
it-he
> did it with the motor IN his bus.
> I'd have to say it was fairly easy and I did NOT buy some expensive,
> use-once-in-a-lifetime tool.  I used a stainless hose clamp for a ring
> compressor, and used a screwdriver, a 1/4 inch ratchet set with
extensions,
> swivels, etc, and of course a little patience. It took one hour not
> including cleaning time to do the one side. My motor was on my bench.
> Sure it would have been nice to have left the jugs on the pistons when I
> removed the head, but that was virtually impossible. VW didn't realize
that
> my vanagon would be around this long--on newer models their recommendation
> to leave the cylinders when removing the head is probably possible. It
> wasn't on my well-used engine. (well glazed).
> Thanks to all who responded, even those who said it couldn't be done. Of
> course that inspired me to find a way!
> Jay
>
>
>
>
>
> >Well, I went ahead and pulled the sleeves with the head. As it turns out,
> >they were STUCK!! Man, took me about 25 minutes to seperate them OFF of
the
> >engine.
> >
> >So, now that I have them off, got any special tricks to getting them back
> >on? I'm thinking a large hose clamp to compress the springs....
> >
>