Depends on the working conditions.
In a semi-heated shop or small garage with lights, and flat level floor,
some jack stands and a floor jack, it's not that bad.
Taking out the engine and trans as a unit is quite easy.
( but if doing just the trans, then just take that off and leave the engine
in place  - you need at least a bottle jack also )
On the other hand, if it's 'all outdoors', or worse, outdoors and not even
on flat level pavement, then yes, that's a real tough thing all right !
For some odd reason I always liked to drink a lot of coffee and do it in the
middle of the night !  no distractions then.  

Sounds to me that given the time of the year, and I gather not excellent
working conditions, and the engine is working all right, like has half
decent compression and no coolant leaks, then just to the trans for now. 
s. 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
David Kao
Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 6:42 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: AMC Cylinder Head Question

I did not mention, my 84 Vanagon broke its transmission last week.
I heard a loud snap from the rear, like breaking an axle and I lost
power to move forward. It was in first gear trying to move into another
street on a right turn. I can still shift back and forth to every gear
including reverse. But As soon as I try to let go the clutch pedal I
can hear noise from the transmission. So the transmission is toast.
I have one used cheap spare that I can replace. But once the engine
and the transmission is dropped I have a decision to make between a
real quality rebuild or a cheap one by myself. I do not need to do
anything with the engine if I want to go the cheap route. If I want
a quality one then it's a lot of money and the engine should take
the opportunity to be done as well.

It's not fun to do something like this in winter time.

David

--- David Kao <dtkao0205@YAHOO.COM> wrote:

> Thanks, Mike and Bob. It is such a small thing but can be a big trouble
> maker if not addressed. I have plenty of time to deal with it so I will
> stop by a machine shop to see if it can be easily replaced.
>
> Except this freeze plug, the AMC heads look OK to me. But of course the
> look can be deceiving. I know I will be gambling in using a pair of used
> heads. I will use these AMC heads only if my OEM heads are found to be
> worse. I have not dropped the engine yet. I need to make a decision
> between pouring a lot of money or very little for the 84. It's not a
> camper and it's old. But I
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> --- Bob Donalds <donalds1@VERIZON.NET> wrote:
>
> > It is more common for the socket head bolt to leak than the freeze plug
> > this should be a dealer item
> > as Mike said
> > if its covered with epoxy then your not the first to think its leaking
> > I would see if a replacement is available before exploratory surgery
> >
> > Bob
> >
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Mike Collum" <collum@VERIZON.NET>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Thursday, December 13, 2007 7:35 PM
> > Subject: Re: AMC Cylinder Head Question
> >
> >
> > > It is said that experience is what you get when you were expecting
> > > something else.  Well, in that I've never had one of these freeze
plugs
> > > leak, I have no experience so share with you.
> > >
> > > Maybe someone like Boston Bob would have replacements or know where to
> > > get them.
> > >
> > > According to ETKA 7, the freeze plug without the drain bolt is
"Called"
> > > Locking Cover # N 011 914 2.
> > >
> > > The one with the threads for a bolt is # 025 101 583 A
> > >
> > > The seal for a bolt is N 013 830 2
> > >
> > > The Allen key head bolt (M8X12) is N 014 706 7
> > >
> > > Of course, these are for an OEM head ... but I'm betting they're the
> > > same on AMC heads.  I found the seal and the bolt listed on BusDepot's
> > > site but not the freeze plugs (locking covers) themselves.
> > >>
> > >> Mike
> > >
> > >
> > > David Kao wrote:
> > >> Mike, you are probably right. The problem is the other one that has
> > >> no screw on it. I think it is still in there. But it is covered by
> > >> the metalic look epoxy (or something else I do not know). It has an
> > >> aluminum look. But it is plastic. If it does not leak maybe I should
> > >> not try to fix it.
> > >>
> > >> David
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> --- Mike Collum <collum@verizon.net> wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> I believe what you're seeing are the freeze plugs.  One isn't
actually
> > >>> held by a screw ... those screws are there to allow draining the
heads
> > >>> of coolant.
> > >>>
> > >>> Mike
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>>
> > >>> David Kao wrote:
> > >>>> I have a pair of used AMC heads pulled from a parts vanagon.
> > >>>> I am about to begin to rebuild my 84's 1.9 WBXer with these two
> > >>>> heads. I have a few questions about these heads before I put
> > >>>> them on.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> The heads have two metal caps at the bottom side of them. If you
> > >>>> look at the heads at their installed position the upper side has
> > >>>> the intake and spark plug holes. The bottom side has the two metal
> > >>>> caps, one is held in position by a screw and the other is in there
> > >>>> by itself.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Well, one the two AMC heads has one cap that is plugged up by
> > >>>> some kind of epoxy that looked like aluminum. My guess is that the
> > >>>> original cap leaked and it was repaired. Whoever did the repair
> > >>>> used the epoxy to plug it up. I can not see if the original cap
> > >>>> is still in there or not. It seems that it did the job before I
> > >>>> pulled them off from the parts van. But I am really concerned if
> > >>>> it will eventually develop a coolant leak that will require
> > >>>> a tear down of the engine again.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Any suggestions as to how to fix it correctly once for all? Is
> > >>>> there such metal caps available from anywhere? How is it installed?
> > >>>> This is the cap that is not held in position by a screw. Should
> > >>>> I send it to a machine shop to get it re-capped?
> > >>>>
> > >>>> BTW, the pair of AMC heads look in very good shape. There is no
> > >>>> crack, warpage or any visible sign of problems (except the cap).
> > >>>> I have lapped all the valves and they seem all seal pretty well.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Any help is appreciated.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> David
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
> > >>>>
____________________________________________________________________________
________
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> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
> > >>
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> > >> Be a better friend, newshound, and
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> >
>
>
>
>
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