Hello all,

I'm in the process of rebuilding my 1.9L from an '85 GL and have a few
questions.

1st - I was able to remove the #2 wrist pin and piston using a drift and
tapping the pin out of the side.  However when it came to removing the #1
pin and piston, this proved to be a challenge as I couldn't get a straight
enough shot to the pin using a drift.  After trying to use allen wrenches as
drifts, I realized I could just remove the rod, pin and piston as a whole
assembly by removing the nuts from the rod cap.  This is also what I ended
up doing on the #3 and #4 positions as well.  I would have preferred not to
do it this way since there was a possibility that I could have scarred or
nicked the crankshaft.  Other than using the VW tool, how could I have
gotten the wrist pins out?

2nd -- I haven't split the case yet, though I was hoping to get to it today
but have some other place I have to be.  Anyway, do I have to take out the
oil seals on either side of the crankshaft prior to splitting the case?  As
careful as I try to be, it seems when ever I try to pry something out, I end
up scratching something.  The surfaces may not be all that important and a
little scratch may not hurt, I don't know, but I'd rather not find out.  I'm
not real worried about messing up the seals since I plan on using new ones,
however I really hate to destroy something if I don't have too, even if it
is going to be thrown away.  (Why?  I don't know, just would prefer not to
destroy things to remove them).

3rd -- Does the oil pump need to be removed prior to splitting the case?  I
took the front cover off of the oil pump and the pump housing didn't want to
come out just using my fingers.  I tried tapping it lightly on the side, but
no go.  Honestly I didn't spend that much time trying to get it out since I
wanted to get this email out before I had to leave.

That's about it for now.  If anyone has any other things that I should watch
out for or a trick to make something go a bit easier, I'm open to any
suggestions.

If I don't write again before the holidays, I hope everyone has a nice
holiday season and new year.

Thanks in advance!

Later

Curt