I am in a similar situation, needing to remove cylinder heads from a 2.1.    I would like to know a technique to use for head removal that is sure to take just the heads off without loosening or dislodging the cylinders themselves.     Is there a positive way of doing this or do you just have to take take your chances?
Thanks,     Steve

On Feb 3, 2014, at 8:17 PM, J Stewart <fonman4277@COMCAST.NET> wrote:

> Those here who know me on Facebook too know that my right cylinder head which used to drip a little coolant on very cold nights has turned into a gusher. I've known this day was coming and feel lucky to have made it this far (10+ years). Right now the van ('85 Weekender) is just sitting in the garage. A few years back I bought a "spare" 1.9 from a young man who was selling off his deceased fathers Vanagon collection (Vanagons had finally killed him) He said his dad had told him this engine was the best of all the ones he had and was keeping it to go into his Vanagon someday. Tonight I pulled the right head off that engine and it does appear to be in very good condition, there is just a tiny bit of pitting, and none near the outer sealing edge. I want to get my '85 back on the road ASAP, so my plan is the clean up this head and have it ready to swap out as quickly as possible. My question is, what is the best way to clean it up? I want to get it as clean as possible before installing it on my engine in the van. I've also noticed there does not appear to be any cracks between the valves-well at least that I can see, I wear contact lenses and my up close vision isn't that great, so I'll check it again in the morning with the naked eye before I put my lenses in. Thanks, Jeff 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Jeff Stewart