A little heat also helps loosen the varnish and lets the pin slide threw the
piston.
The major reason that the pin has become a press fit is that the wrist pin
clip raises a ridge of aluminum next to the clips on the piston
This becomes a real problem when you reinstall the pin into the piston. The
pin needs to float in the piston in order to get it back into the rod
bushing. You can not use a hammer to reinstall the pin.  I have seen this
done and it is not pretty. I hone the piston pin hole in the piston to
remove the burr a scraper might help. One last note the piston needs to
float on the pin and the pin needs to float in the bushing. pulling the pin
threw the bushing can cause scratches and burrs.

I have rebuilt rods on the shelve new bolts new bushings no more than a 3
gram spread in weight and straight
$140 a set exchange

Bob Donalds
Boston Engine

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dennis Haynes" <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, March 09, 2007 8:25 AM
Subject: Re: Big end rod clearance 2.1 WBX

> Instead of a slide hammer, try the following. Get a socket large enough
for the piston pin to fit inside, yet small enough on the outside to fit in
the block opening. Then, wit the 3/8 threaded rod use another nut and washer
on the back of the socket and turn the nut to pull the pin out while the
socket pushes against the piston. A little oil on the threads will make it
come out nice and easy. No banging, stressing the rod end, etc.
>
> Dennis
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Paul Guzyk
> Date: Friday, March 9, 2007 12:38 am
> Subject: Re: Big end rod clearance 2.1 WBX
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>
> > You're welcome Tabe.
> >
> > and don't forget, use lots of lube before you start whacking.
> > (spray WD40 around the wrist pins before using the slide hammer)
> >
> > >PS Thanks to Paul Guzyk for a post a couple of years ago about
> > using a
> > >piece of 3/8 threaded rod, 3/8" nuts, and a slide hammer to
> > remove the
> > >wrist pins. Worked like a charm! (Did I bend my rods doing that?)
> >