Karl,

I've had the heads off my 85 Westy a few times, for gasket replacements. I
have not taken the pistons and cylinders off yet as the compressions were
all ok. It is a much bigger job once you decide to remove the cylinders. Be
sure you need too!!

J.R. Beckham
85 Westy 267,000
91 GL 160,000
Narragansett RI

 -----Original Message-----
From:   Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]  On Behalf
Of Karl Wolz
Sent:   Thursday, February 22, 2001 2:24 AM
To:     vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject:        Heads are off; now what?

Great knowledgeable ones on the list:

The heads are off, and I think I want to replace the rings.  Unlike my
normal way of doing things, I'm asking this BEFORE I dig any deeper.

I have a few questions:

1)    Once I pull the pistons and sleeves, how the heck do I get them back
together?  I looked at Bently, and it indicates I need some specialized
tools to attach the circlips through a small hole in the side of the water
jacket (if I'm reading this correctly).  Looks like a major PITA.I know I
can install the pistons through the BACK (internal) side of the sleeves by
using hose clamps as ring compressors, but I recall reading posts indicating
that this isn't exactly a piece of cake either.

2)    German or Brazilian rings?  I've heard good and bad on both.

3)    Once I get the cylinders off,  Is there an easy way to check the rod
bearings?

BTW, this is an '85 Westy with a 1.9l engine and the budget is currently
relatively tight.

Thanks all,

Karl Wolz