Hi Larry,

Thank you for writing.  Just doing the heads is certainly
attractive because of the time savings.

The cylinders are already disturbed.  They came out
of the case as I was pulling the heads.  They're still
on the pistons though.

I didn't really want to get into this, but... I did have
an oil pressure gauge attached to that engine which seemed
to indicate everything was fine.  Having now driven with a
different engine I have become aware of how slowly the oil
pressure drops with time as the oil heats.  I am
not certain that I allowed the old engine to heat enough
before recording oil pressures.

To summarize:  I never got any indication my oil pressure was
a problem.  My gauge numbers were good but I'm not sure I
trust them.

tabe

--- Larry Alofs <lalofs@rcn.com> wrote:

> Personally, I'd just do the head(s) and try not to disturb the cylinders
> at all.
>   Might be worth hooking up an actual oil pressure gauge before you
> start, to see if it tells you anything alarming or reassuring.
> You are using Mobil 1, right?
>
> Larry A.
>
>
> tabe johnson wrote:
>
> >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
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>