Jason wrote:
Hey Guys! I am in it! I am going to try and do the
head gasket deal by
myself.. I have the right hand one off.. now.. the
left.. I have
instructions.. but How in the H@#$  do I get that dang
A/C Compressor off
like it says???? Please help!! and any help will be
appreciated.. anyone
near the layton Utah area please help too =) !
*********************************************************

Get a bentley manual for help.

also read:
http://www.bostonengine.com/articles/waterboxes.html

You use big allen wrenches to remove the air
conditioner.  It is a tight fit, so after you loosen
everything that you can; loosen it from its fitting by
prying with a big screwdriver or similar.  Then it is
also a pain to fit back into its bracket after the
heads are done.  I used a plastic hammer to help
persuade it into the proper position.  Got it all nice
and tight and then I had to remove it once again for
some reason because I didn't replace it in the right
sequence.  It is a tight bugger, but not super hard.

I had more trouble getting the bolts off of the water
pump pulley.  Every time I tried to turn the bolt the
whole pulley turned.  I finally got a pair vice grips
attached to the rim of the pulley and let it turn
until it jammed itself.
********************************************************************

but one more thing.. if the
head is pitted.... what should I use to fill it.. or
can I just have it
milled.. (Machined) Down??? Thanks in advance!!
***********************************************************

Boston Bob says to use JB Weld.  Since I left my
engine in the van when I did my heads, I thought that
was going to be messy.  I used some of that epoxy
putty, marine version, that I picked up from Walmart.
You cut a chunk off, knead it until it is well mixed
and warmed up , and then spread a thin layer on the
edge of the cases making sure that you work it into
the pits.  After it sets up use a small flat file to
carefully remove the excess putty and square up the
edges.

When I removed my heads, both the heads and the case
were pitted, but the heads did not leak.  I replaced
the heads because the little green O-ring that seals
the combustion gasses out of the coolant had
decomposed, so I was getting gas into the coolant.
From what I observed, it is possible to have pitted
heads and no leak.  Use the right sealant on both the
gaskets and on the bolt heads.  Boston Bob gives part
numbers.  The yellow sealant is recommended for the
bolts, because, apparently, it remains soft enough
that you can retorque the heads without breaking the
seal.  I used silicon sealant, and even though my
heads do not leak, I can't retorque without
potentially causing a leak.
--

Regards,

Rich Dunsheath
***************************************

Bryan, TX (1 hour north of Houston,
3 hours east of San Antonio,
3 hours south of Dallas.
Near Texas A&M)

1982 Vanagon Santa Maria (Mary)
1982 Vanagon San Diego (Sandy)
1987 Maroon Vanagon Aggie