>I was removing a pair of heads from a syncro Vanagon yesterday in
>preparation of installing new heads and gaskets.  The cylinders were stuck
>on tight and a thought occured to me that I have never heard anyone discuss
>before on the list.

The only thing I see that might be damaged is the lower (cyl-to-case)
o-ring. Popping the cylinders off their seats (not intentionally, but
it always happens) would separate the o-ring from the cylinder
smoothly, if simple prying is used to free the heads.

Using the "rotate the cylinders" technique could possibly twist this
o-ring in its seat, and if it didn't pop loose from the cylinder or
case immediately, it might tear.

Good creative thinking, however.

Dave
--
Dave Carpenter

Whatever you wish for me,
May you have twice as much.

"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from
magic." -- Arthur C. Clarke