Nat
sounds like you need to back up a little and take a deep breath
lets not blame the heads for the no fire condition
lets go back to basics the engine needs 3 things to run gas, compression and
spark
if you can find a compression tester start there
a little testing of components goes along way

Bob Donalds
Boston Engine

----- Original Message -----
From: "Nathaniel Poole" <npoole@TELUS.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, November 17, 2006 1:11 AM
Subject: <no subject>

>I feel so damned discouraged, and I get what Jake Raby says about Vanagon
>AC
> engines. I've done all the work on my vehicles without much problem all of
> my life, and it's never been so much hassle as redoing this 2.0 AC. And
> when
> I get it all together, no go. Won't fire at all. Sounds weird turning
> over.
> It was late and so I did a quick 'n; dirty compression test by stuffing a
> finger in #1 cylinder and almost nothing. Put my hand over the exhaust
> output of right heater box and it sucks as much as blows. Check lifter
> preload and the lifters aren't holding valves open. I am saving $$ for new
> heads, and decided to slap in these "good" used ones, and this particular
> head has recently been rebuilt. Yet the symptoms seem like the valves
> aren't
> sealing, although there's no dropped seats. I've spent I don't know how
> many
> hours on this sucker and it looks like it has to come out again. Any other
> possible suggestions? I know the valve timing can't be off.
>
> Can the heads be pulled without pulling the engine?
>