Greeting all,

 

I have success!!!  Heads are back on.  Tomorrow reassemble.

 

How I did it (my first time) and what I found:

 

            Those following the saga know that one side went well and I did
not replace the lower o-ring and the other side the jugs came off.

 

            Well I cleaned everything up and replace the lower o-ring since
the jugs came off.  The old o-ring was as soft as the new one which makes me
fell good about the other side.

 

            Having a ring compressor really came in handy which I borrowed.
I had extra large tie wraps and a pair of large hose clamps too.  I did the
rear cylinder first and it was done in about 3 minutes; one hit and the
cylinder slid right down.  The forward cylinder was much more difficult.  I
put it on easily but couldn't get the ring compressor band off.  I then
tried the tie wraps, that didn't work so I went back to the ring compressor.
I don't know who said it but having a good head rest (up high) really paid
off (I used the wheel that I took off for the job.  Propped up and with a
long screwdriver I was able to get the band off.  Now that I know the trick
I would pull the jugs off just to replace the o-ring it was that easy.
These problems were on the driver's side and the air conditioner compressor
and the other junk in that area made it a bit difficult to get the head back
on but it is on and torqued down.  Once everything was double checked at 37
lbs I quit for the evening.

 

            Being my first head gasket job I am saying a few extra prayers
tonight, throwing a few extra chicken bones over the shoulder, a couple of
extra pins in the Vanagon doll, and I am looking for a volcano to toss
myself into hoping that when/if I test run it tomorrow everything will be
great!!!  I don't think the volcano will take me.

 

Jere

90 GL/Carat-a-version