Changing a cylinder head

[windydubber]

Hi,
I'm contemplating that I may need to change a cylinder head for various reasons. My questions are, is it ok to just change one side? Also, What level of skill do you think is required to do this? i.e on a scale of 1-10, 1 being complete novice and 10 being full time mechanic. What do you recon you need to score to do it?
Cheers

[ghost123uk]

If you are doing this on your 2.0Ltr air-cooled, then it really is pretty easy, as long as you follow the Haynes and take care and don't rush. Use decent quality tools wherever possible, do it in a "nice" place, ie, warm, bright and dry. I would say on that motor it's a 4 to 5 spanner job out of 10. Replacing just one is no problem.

Many folk would go a stage further and whilst the motor is out, remove the barrels and check the bores, pistons and ring gaps, but if it has not been using any oil then you could leave that out

[windydubber]

Brilliant. Thanks for that. Just what I needed to hear!

[guavajelly]

I am in the middle of this very project.
here are a couple of before and during photos. I am now waiting on the rebuilt head. I decided to clean up the engine compartment and replace the seal while I had the head pulled.

[windydubber]

Brilliant pictures! This really helps me to decide if I can do it or not. Cheers. Lovely clean engine as well!!!

[kevtherev]

I would think the tinware will be painted as well
Seeing as all that work will be covered up.

[guavajelly]

I would think the tinware will be painted as well
Seeing as all that work will be covered up.

it sure is, they are painted and hanging in my garage along with repainted air intake manifold.

I will post more photos as it gets completed

[guavajelly]

this seems like a relevant place to post up an update. after swapping heads and cleaning up the engine compartment.




and the van runs, just need to adjust the valves, tighten up the exhaust and finish fitting the heater pieces.

[kevtherev]

Most excellent