I use a 90 degree nose circlip pliers.  The straigh one did not work.  And
it has to be a bigger size that would reach in there.  Also the circlip
needs to be turned into position.
I also made out of 2x4 a piece that will hold the piston against the block.
I use a threaded bar to push through the pin and put a nut on the end of it,
holding it with a strong magnet.  (You don't want to drop it inside the
engine.)  Then I put a slide hammer on it and with a few slides it comes
out.
Zoltan

----- Original Message -----
From: "Craig Cowan" <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2012 10:41 AM
Subject: Re: Separating the Engine Case. Any tips?

Okay, so how do I get the pistons off? I see the wrist pin has to be pulled
thought the water pump hole but what's the trick to getting that circlip
off?

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 12, 2012, at 12:11 PM, Tom Lambas <twlambas@gmail.com> wrote:

> Pull the pump body off - it spans both sides of the case.
>
> Cheers, Tom
>
> On Thu, Jan 12, 2012 at 10:08 AM, Craig Cowan <phishman068@gmail.com>
> wrote:
> So it seems I forgot to remove the oil pump. How the heck does it come
> out? I've got the cover off and the gears out.
>
> Thanks!
> Craig
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jan 11, 2012, at 6:36 PM, "Chris S." <szpejankowski@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > I used a Type 1 case separator after I removed the oil pump. You did
> > take out the oil pump, right? :-)
> >
> > Chris.
> >
> > Wysłane z iPhone'a
> >
> > Dnia Jan 11, 2012 o godz. 18:00 craig cowan <phishman068@GMAIL.COM>
> > napisał(a):
> >
> >> I can't seem to split the engine case. I'm POSITIVE I got all the
> >> bolts/nuts off and was hoping to crack this case to get my broken
> >> connecting rod out. The case is shot.
> >> I'm ready to go in through the side..... : )
> >>
> >> I still have the flywheel and rear pulley on. Is that a problem?
> >>
> >> The broken connecting rod is going to be made into a tap handle.
> >>
> >> -Craig
> >> '87 SUNROOF SYNCRO WESTY
> >> BOSTIG
> >> '90 GL "New Bus"
> >> '85 Housing Unit
>