This may not be popular, exciting, or even relevant to most of you
WB/diesel/engine swapper folks.

    I'm soon going to replace our stock air-cooled motor
with............another stock rebuilt air-cooled motor.  Found a good buy on
one in the local paper just one day after our current motor decided that we
really didn't need that fourth cylinder anyway.

    The old one got me home (150 miles) last weekend on three cylinders and
I'm convinced that the #3 has a BIG hole in the piston, no rings or a valve
that no longer exists.  Lots of pressure in the crankcase when the spark
plug is connected (lots of oil forced out every formerly small leak that the
motor had and out through the PVC valve) and normal pressure when the wire
is disconnected (with no change in how the van runs).  No big bang when it
went, just the sudden realization that we were going just too slow up the
small hill.  The rest of the drive it got no worse and got no better.  By
this description is my assessment of the problem correct?

    I'm also looking for advice on things/procedures to avoid or do during
the process and anything that I could add that would be simpler with the
motor out of the Van (i.e. oil cooler, gauges etc.).  Ideas and suggestions
greatly appreciated.

Mark
82 Westy (with a three banger)