#1) Use the thin aluminum shims between the cylinder base and case to set
your deck height.
#2) Do not use the steel head gaskets. Use nothing between the head and
cylinder tops. You may want to lap the cylinders to the heads with some
valve grinding compound.
#3) Many VW independent shops may have extras of the thin aluminum shims
lying around (that's been my experience finding them). Don't forget that you
can also buy copper base shims that go on 914 and 912e Porsche 2000 cc Type
IV engines. Check with independent Porsche shops or Porsche racers.
You'll find some good info here on the first link.
http://www.blackhead.netfirms.com/0003.htm

Stan Wilder
Engine Ceramics
214-352-4931
www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message -----
From: "Olin Bausback" <mountain-man@COX.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, September 26, 2005 5:47 PM
Subject: Aircooled '81 2L cylinder sealing ring questions

> Hi All,
>
> I'm rebuilding my 81 Westy and came across a VW service bulletin which
says to leave out the thin aluminum cylinder to block sealing ring as well
as the head to cylinder ring and install a 1.6mm aluminum shim (071 101 341)
at the base of the cylinder instead (with no head ring).   VW no longer
stocks the shims - any ideas on where I could get them?
>
> Also, on the cylinder to block seal there were 0.78mm steel rings on the
bottom of the cylinders, followed by the thin 0.22mm aluminum sealing rings,
then the block.    Should these steel ones have been there?  I can't find
them in the Haynes manual and need to know if I should leave them in or not
if I can't get the shims mentioned above.
>
> Thanks for your guidance!
> All the best, Olin in Santa Barbara