I suggested a few long distance helping solution to Larry. With all the
brains on that list, we may have few ideas and solution.

Here are some of mine:
1- Film the engine wile running, make a MPG clip with sound, put it on your
web site or mine.

2-Use MSN (or similar) with live web-cam, so anyone willing to help can
guide you live.

3-Take close up picture of head / rocker assembly. We can return those with
some solution or tips.

Larry's engine as been putt apart a few times, that is a good thing, all
screws a not rusty or seize, i know, we changed his exhaust to head gasket.
 So with some help, am sure that head can easily be remove. Am even sure
that the sleeves are not stuck to the heads.

For those who don't know... here is a small Roadhaus engine problems history:

Right side top end problem only, especially #1 piston failure. He is now
running stock pistons, still, when we took the compression test a month ago
or so, compression was 160psi (+-15) all around except for 90 at #1, this 90
as been stable since a few month, i did pour 2 spoons of oil in that
cylinder, compression didn't rise the first time, second try, a slight rise
at 130psi. His somewhat black puffing one day made me perplex! This was not
a mixture or coolant puffing, it was thick brown / black smoke puffing, only
on hard acceleration and on hill.

Many have suggested a few diagnostic on that "always" right side #1
problems, but many other 2.2 owner had the same failure, and also, different
heads were use in his 45k trip, so in my conclusion, head is not the main
problem, even if i think that the right head is cracked, for sure, it's
damage, we know that...

I think that the crank is the problem, am thinking of a bad rod a alignment
/ faulty and defective main bearing, but now we are getting deap, maybe Bob
or others can comment on my diagnostic. Even the core as been change, so i
also rule out a bad sleeve matting surface,  remember, always the #1 going
out in flame, different case and head, now i don't know if the rods or crank
is the same???

Am just trowing some ideas.

Larry is not a mechanic, but i have worked with him on his van, i know that
he his quite capable of doing a lot more than he think.

Regards.
http://www.benplace.com/vw.htm