My Lord!  I don't believe that I am reading this.  What a terrible advice to
give.  Taking the engine out is about ten times easier that taking the
exhaust system off while its in the car.  The whole thing must come out
all-together.  Use the same system I invented and it's on TheSamba.com.
Engine lifter that works with a winch.  Don't buy it if you can't afford it,
make one yourself.  Don't even think of using a "cherry picker".  That would
also make it ten times harder and longer.
Volks, we have been throught this a few times.  It should not take longer
than twenty minutes once the hoses and electricals are out of the way.  And
yes, put some blocks under the tranny when the engine is ready to be pulled
from it.  Then lower it to a big drip tray that you can slide out by pulling
on a rope that is attached to it through a couple of little holes.  Same way
it goes back in.  As easy as it can get.  You would love to work on the
engine this way.
Zoltan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark Dearing" <VWBrain@AOL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 19, 2009 2:22 PM
Subject: Re: Removing a water cooled engine from vanagon. Ben?

> hey John  It isn't as hard as an aircooled. hardest thing is taking  the
> exhust off without breaking the studs. remove the exhust first then the
> air
> cleaner housing , wires(mark these) , fuel line.throttle cable. , then all
> is
> left is the 4 main bolts and nuts and croossbar bolts. be sure to support
> thre  tranny when taking the engine out.   later  mark  d
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