hello collective wisdom  my email is working again. so I thought I would post that I just got in from the garage. had many people tell me that I should replace them lower cylinder o-rings as part of my head gasket job. I was going to leave them since I was doing this all with the engine in the van--but--here I am with them all replaced. It was definately a PITA, but not as bad as replacing all the coolant hoses on the engine that I also have done. My hands hate me from trying to get all those damn things. probably one of the most frustrating things i've ever done. Anyway--for the lower o-rings I made an o-ring pick out of a coat hanger on the grinder. kind of a 180 degree bend thing. took a couple hours and some beer was all. After reading how much this was impossible to do with the engine in the van--just wanted to report it wasnt terrible. just take your time and pick em out. once you get a start on em out of the groove--they pull right out. glad I did it and maybe will be on the raod a lil longer.  anyway--hope to have the heads on this weekend, then the rear heater is coming apart as well as the front drive shafts for boot replacement. one step closer to actually driving this syncro. then I can dream of I4 gasser or TDI conversion and spend some quality time again with my splitty  just thought I would post  mike