I've done it a number of times with the engine in the car. Not really too
bad. Lots of pipes and hoses to get out of the way, and the exhaust system
has to come off, but once that is out of the way, it's not too bad if the
heads are not stuck on the cylinders. If that happens, drop the engine. and
finish the job. Again, not all that bad. I've never had anything other than
a chain hoist hanging from a metal sawhorse in the engine compartment to
lower the engine to the ground, and never had anything more than na harbor
freight jack to get the car in the air.

The stuck head thing has only happened to me once.

Jim

On Thu, May 9, 2013 at 1:57 PM, Bryan Feddish
<uprightbassghost@hotmail.com>wrote:

>
>>>
> I'd love to take it apart and replace the gasket myself.  Would it make
> any sense to try and remove just the heads, with engine in the van, and
> replace only the gaskets?  Most of my research on-line shows people
> removing the engine and doing a pretty thorough rebuild - would love to
> if I had the time + tools.
>
> <<
>
> I've done the head gaskets with the engine in the van. I had access to a
> lift though.  Not sure how hard it would be without.   I think for allot of
> people that work on Vanagons all the time it's easier for them to take the
> engine out.
>
> 300 for AMC heads is a good deal if they are in good shape.
>
> Bryan
>