There is a easier way, really.  I've done this on my '82 and it saved hours
over the last time I did it.

Step 1) Raise the back of the van 12"
Step 2) place 18" x 18" or larger hunk of 1/2" or thicker plywood on floor jack
Step 3) raise jack to engine to the point the van moves up ever so slightly
Step 4) unbolt the rear engine hangers
Step 5) lower the engine 6"

At that point you will be able to access the slave through the engine
bay.  It will save a huge hunk of time.  When done just raise the engine
back into place and tighten the engine hanger bolts.  The 1st time I
replaced the slave I did it with the engine in, it took almost 5 hours to
do it.  This last time it only took 1 1/2 hours, and most of it was spent
screwing around.

Chris Smith
Head Slave

At 01:30 PM 8/5/01 -0700, Patrick Harris wrote:
>Greetings!!
>
>That's what I'm thinking.  On, my 87, it's really easy to get at.  My 81,
>it's definately a different story.  :)
>
>P
>>I think he incorrectly assumed that you were replacing the slave cylinder
>>on
>>the water-cooled motor. That one is reachable from the engine compartment.