Aircooled barrels and pistons

[Dubstar]

Aircooled barrels and pistons - is it possible to change them on the van?

[CovKid]

You'll be cursing if you do. For the time it takes to get an Aircooled engine out, why make the job harder than it need be.

[Plasticman]

s covK says, they are so silly easy to fall out! why make work for yourself, have it out and check the clutch and other bits while your at it.
mike

[Dubstar]

It's just a little bit too heavy for me to drop then engine. And mines an auto, so no clutch to check. I admit, it would be good to take it out and have a look, but it's my daily and need it doing quickly and I don't believe I could drop it on my own. Not that I'm not capable, just not strong enough!! On another note, where can I get the best barrels and pistons from? GSF, Just Kampers?

[Plasticman]

You dont need strength, hire/borrow an engine hoist, van on stands drop lump down and your there less than an hour and its out<
cant comment on supplier sorry
mike

[horizontal kipper]

yes you can change them with the engine in place.

[CovKid]

No one said it couldn't be done, but its a right pain with the engine in place. Awkward for room, particularly if you hit something stubborn and you'll get major neckache. In or out you still have to remove all the tinware and some screws are nigh-on impossible with engine in situ.

Maybe the real question here is why are you doing the job. If you're down on compression the engine may already be tired and you'll just be putting a bionic arm on an old lady. If I were going as far as removing barrels, I'd do both sides (and maybe consider bottom end) but either way its a darned site easier on a bench at working height with all the tools. Go for it if you must but keep a swear box very near

[Dubstar]

The compression is down a little, especially on the front left cylinder. I just thought I could do one side a weekend and also give the heads a valve regrind too, without struggling to get the whole engine out. Weight wise that is. Yeah I wouldn't mind doing the whole lot, but finances play a part, otherwise I'd really like to get my spare engine recond. Mind you, I'm currently working in Germany and my spare engine is in Manchester! I was thinking of flying home and then trying to fly back with 2 cylinder heads in my hand luggage..........

[CovKid]

I once came back from Holland with a Type2 steering column with the end sticking out of my bag like a rifle end and no one said a word!

Mind you, I didn't care, someone must have got panicky in Holland as there was some coffee shop wares sitting on the top of the cystern in the toilets before I got on the boat. No idea where it went but I was grinning on the way home.