You're really best off pulling the sleeves. Then you can also change the
seal rings at the base of the cylinders. It is difficult to reliably get the
cylinders back over the pistons especially if the pistons have the three
piece oil rings. Take the pistons out. You will need to remove the water
pump and rear coolant pipe. Get a cylinder ridge cleaner to get the carbon
ridge out of the top of the cylinder. With the cylinders out get some
lapping compound and use each cylinder in the bore it will go back into to
lap-clean up the top of the cylinder and seat area in the head. Lightly hone
the cylinders if needed. Maybe even get new rings. The assemble, use a ring
compressor and place the pitons into the cylinders from the top. Push
through just enough for the pin bore to clear the recesses in the cylinder
and put back together like it shows in the Bentley. Some really good snap
ring pliers will make this easier and 3/8 threaed rod and some sleeves can
be used to pull the piston pins out. With the pistons out you can also check
the rods bearings for play.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jim Felder
Sent: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 7:47 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: 2.1 cylinders stuck to heads

I've never had this problem before, but I know others have. I have the heads
loose on my 2.1, but the bad news is that the cylinders are coming off with
the heads. I can get to the little groove around the top to pry into, and on
some the "ears" cast into the cylinder, but nothing I can do will get them
out of heads. Is there a trick I'm overlooking, or should I just pull them
off, compress the rings and reinstall the cylinders?

It's three out of the four, by the way.

Jim