As Ken W mentioned earlier, if you do decide to remove the engine the easiest route to the pistons is by removing the connecting rods. I use a long wobble extension to access the nuts, and while it may look challenging at first it's definitely better/easier than messing with the piston pin in situ. 

Angus

On Dec 10, 2013, at 5:30 AM, Tom Carchrae <tom@CARCHRAE.NET> wrote:

> Thanks everyone.
> 
> I will have another go with the hose clamp, but make sure I save a few
> crumbs of sanity to pull the pistons if needed.  And certainly, it looks
> like the engine is coming out if I get to that.  (so, yes, the engine is
> *in* the van, and it is a 1.9 - and I understand the rod bolts are good for
> this engine, unlike the 2.1)
> 
> In particular, Max's response regarding how to tighten the clamp (sent to
> me directly)
> 
> The cheap way for me(learned this from John Muir's VW book)  is to use a
>> hose clamp and do one ring at a time, yeah it takes forever but that $3-4
>> clamp will get in tight places and you have the option of using a ratchet
>> mechanisim or several different drive tools for the slot or philips head to
>> tighten and release.  Theer's an expensive special tool for this process,
>> but if you're like me, I only want to do this job once!!
> 
> 
> and Dennis' comment and warning about the different styles of oil control
> rings, and, if I read correctly, the perhaps obvious idea of working them
> in by hand.  Perhaps I can get my girls (ages 4 & 7 who have much smaller
> hands than I) to help out - I haven't seen mention of the 'young children
> hands' method yet... perhaps for good reason.
> 
> If the oil control rings are the three piece type you really need to pull
>> the pistons and insert from the top of the cylinders. Too risky to get
>> those
>> in. If the older cast type oil controls rings are used you should be able
>> to
>> work the rings in while sliding the cylinder over the top.
> 
> 
> I can see it is very much not the VW factory way of doing it, so you need
> to apply whatever creativity you can to get the job done (the VW owner
> way?).
> 
> Also, big thanks to everyone else who is suggesting the piston removal
> steps.  I really hope I can get away without doing that, but it might
> indeed be the faster route (aside from tow truck and repenting to my
> mechanic).  I do appreciate the wisdom of "I did that, but I don't anymore
> because it is slower" - my only doubt for my situation is that I lack the
> tools/workshop you guys have - but I own a hose clamp....  (fools argument,
> for sure!)
> 
> And Scott, I may yet be driving down to pick up an engine from you.  Thanks
> for your offers.  I would also love to buy a parts van, but alas, the
> driveway/marriage can only support one inoperative vehicle at a time (just
> about).
> 
> Tom