Not sure what you have in mind, but all you need is a standard floor jack
and an engine stand.  Put a sheet of OSB on top of the gravel to roll on (it
will keep you from losing nuts in the gravel too), and get friend over to
help lift the engine onto the stand.  Make sure the stand has a removable
adapter for VW and you'll be able to do the clutch on the stand too.  If
they don't have one buy one of these and just use the hanger part in a floor
stand:  http://preview.tinyurl.com/lxuduce  Don't mount it to a bench unless
it's heavy duty and securely fastened to the wall studs.

Unfortunately, those AMC heads just don't seem to last as long as the OEM
ones that are no longer available.  Main reason I'm switching to a Subaru.

Stuart, BTDT

Tom Carchrae wrote:

......Good to know that I could rig up a 2 x 4 hoist, my drive is gravel, so
a
hoist with wheels would be nearly useless.  I'm thinking a 2 x 4 hoist,
then slide it to the centre of the van, mount on a stand, and work away.