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Subject:Re: It's alive, but it gives bad head! (Fixing head leak on '87 2.1L)
From:Mike Collum
Date:Thu, 21 Jun 2007 10:49:24 -0400

One more thing ... I once had a cylinder that refused to separate from
the head no matter what I tried (initially).  I ended up removing the
head with cylinder attached and, with much effort, removed it away from
the engine.  I then made a wrist pin puller using nuts, washers,
allthread, and a piece of pipe that the pin could slide into.  I took
out that piston (#2) and, prior to reassembly, put the piston in the
cylinder before attaching the piston to the rod.  I did this with the
engine in the van so, the pistons and rods being horizontal, I made a
"tool" to hold up the rod using wire coat hanger.

After pulling the wrist pin, which came out with some resistance, I
cleaned it using Naphtha (Ronsonol lighter fluid).  After that, with
light oiling, the pin went in and out of the piston smoothly.  No
deburring was necessary.

Mike

Mike Collum wrote:
> Matt,
>
> The cylinders have "ears" near the heads.  Using a drift, tap on the
> ears in order to spin the cylinder just a bit thereby breaking its hold.
>  Then use an open end wrench on the ears as a fulcrum to push the head
> away from the cylinder.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
> Matt Roberds wrote:
>  > Are there any hot tips to getting the cylinders unstuck from the head?
>

Re: It's alive, but it gives bad head! (Fixing head leak on '87 2.1L) — VANAGON archives · Gerry | Vanagon