Yes it is possible.  I doubt though that a rod would be damaged by slamming
the piston into the case buy hand.  I would be more concerned the the
cylinder seating surface was nicked.  If so, expect coolant to go into the
oil.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: David Bayer <bayer@SYBASE.COM>
To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>
Date: Tuesday, April 07, 1998 4:38 PM
Subject: Changing Rods

>Hello-
>        Is it possible to remove the rods on a 2.1 engine AND resemble
without
>splitting the case? More to the point with the engine horizontal (as in, in
>the van still)? I think I should pull one of the rods to have it checked,
>since the connected piston was chipped after slamming into an intake valve
>which had seized on its guide. I don't have an engine hoist and looking
>through the Bentley, I cannot tell if I am liable to lose anything into the
>case, nor can I spot anything that would make it too difficult to do this
>job with the engine still in the van (except some neck and arm strain). I
>have never touched the bottom end of an engine and therefore I really have
no
>idea of what I may be getting myself into. Any advice is greatly
appreciated!
>
>dave
>