[Vwdiesel] head gasket

[Sandy Cameron]

At 03:26 PM 07/01/05 -0800, you wrote:
>
>Sandy,
>
>I'm kinda curious: How did you get the head off without removing 
>manifolds? In a Vanagon, I always have to remove the manifolds.

On an A2 jetta, NA, I just pop off the exhaust spring clamps, remove the
timing belt, off with the top and head bolts, and lift it off as a unit.
makes a whole lot of sense to me. Getting those manifold bolts out with the
engine in the car is a scary thought.

There's plenty of clearance, and I can lift it with my little electric hoist
($129DCDN) abt $100US

On a Turbo, I'll have to disconnect the oil lines to the turbo, but I should
still be able to lift the head, manifolds, and turbo as a unit.

I prefer to do the head gasket with the engine in the car as I don't have a
stable engine stand. Otherwise, I prefer to pull the engine/tranny for any
major surgery.. Much easier to torque the bolts wit the car holding the
engine for me.

Oh yes, one other thing, I pull the front headlight bulkhead and radiator,
makes so much room to work and only takes a handfull of bolts and a few minutes.

Someone asked if I was going to plane the head, answer, no. It has not been
overheated above boiling, so I'll just do a good gasket replacement. I do it
with surgical precision, polish both surfaces with rag and solvent, clean
and dry, no oil or gasket goo, Fill all bolt holes with solvent and soak
overnight, Scrub threads with a tiny toothbrush. Suck them dry with vacuum
and straw. I have a couple of used bolts with lengthwise saw slots that I
chase the threads with. One more squirt with brake cleaner and vacuum again.

Alignment pins made of old head bolts cut off with slot in top for screw
driver to remove after.

Lighty spray threads of new head bolts with out board motor "fogging" oil
and allow to drain off on a sheet of cardboard. then put them in.. It has
woked twice on NA's, still running after several years and many miles'

Sandy