[Vwdiesel] head gasket replacement

[Sandy Cameron]

At 04:43 PM 05/01/2008 -0600, you wrote:
>
>The last time I did this one I was able to roll the exhaust manifold back
>out of the way and pull the head up off the studs. It has the C-clamp
>exhaust system. 


I have done as many as 6 head gaskets on as many 1.6  engines (never had to
do one twice) and Never removed a manifold (cruel and unusual punishment).

Even the turbos, I took out with the head attached. Just disconnected the
oil lines and popped off the exhaust clamps with a pry bar, and made a set
of wedges to put them back on. 
Have even tried the assembly line trick, and found it works.
(roll the pipe to get the first one on without stretching, the roll the pipe
the other way with a big pipe wrench and slip on the other one)

You have to loosen one of the exhaust pipe clamps at the resonator, or back
where the bend starts, if you are not doing a new pipe..

A little help with a large screw driver as a pry bar through one of the
holes in the clamp helps with the really stubborn ones.

Sandy