well, you can remove the rod nuts, bolts , and caps once you remove pistons.
That'll get you looking at the rod bearings, if they're badly worn or shot -
but if the crank is out of spec ..........you'll need to split the cases.
Beyond that though, like for main bearings,  ..........you'll be splitting
the cases anyway.

how about a nice inline four Rabbit gasoline engine for an engine conversion
?
better fuel mileage, a real heater, and a cast iron block , and a
long-lasting head too.

----- Original Message -----
From: "B.J.R." <beer_eighty@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 1:02 PM
Subject: '82-2.0 teardown. help me find the knocking please

>A ticking progressed to a knocking my final trip of last summer.sounds like
>front end of the left side case.
>
> It seems worse this year gettin her out n drivin her around, more like a
> small hammer on the case. sort of
>
> Engine is out, muffler is off and shielding is removed
>
> the left side head is coming off, i dont see cracks around the valves,
> they all seem to be seated ok
>
> im guessing its a bad main bearing
>
> What should i be looking for?
> Am i going to have to crack the case to find the contact area if it is a
> bad bearing??