If you've got 200,000 miles on your WBXer and still have plenty of oil
pressure you should look around the floor and check everywhere ...........
find that Plastic Jesus and put him back on your dash.
Then just keep a truckin.

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

----- Original Message -----
From: "tabe johnson" <xtabe@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 11:58 AM
Subject: 2.1: Check rods or just top end?

> My old 2.1 engine sprung a leak through the head gasket at ~200,000km.
> Because of the mileage, I'm a bit concerned about the rod bearings.  I
have
> no other reason to worry about the oil pressure.
>
> So - How doable is it to get at the rod bearings, but not break the case?
I
> don't have any special VW tools.  If I get the rods off, how do I inspect
> them?  Or do I just ship everything to Bob Donalds & put in whatever he
> sends me back?
>
> I have a vague recollection of someone compressing piston rings using...
> zap straps?  or something equally clever.  If I pull the cylinders, what
> is the accepted way of getting the pistons back in them?
>
> Or should I just leave well enough alone, redo the heads, and get on
> with life?
>
>
> tabe johnson/87 westy