Finally separated cylinder head from block - a bit of a marathon. Looks like it's been leaking on pot #1.

BUT what's all the oil and crap doing around the top of pot #2? Can anyone advise me?

Also, Haynes says "if the locating dowels are loose, remove and retain them"

I say "what dowels? There aren't any! Is that bad?"

vw dont appear to use location dowels when they assemble the engines, but without them its possible to get the headgasket 1mm out of alignment with the head.

when I change the head on my GT, I'll be using some though to get the alignment right.

vw dont appear to use location dowels when they assemble the engines, but without them its possible to get the headgasket 1mm out of alignment with the head.

when I change the head on my GT, I'll be using some though to get the alignment right.

Cool, thanks. Will you get them from GSF or similar? Where do the dowels go?

My next door neighbour said cut the heads off of the old bolts, put them in two of the holes and use that to align the head. Think that could work?

Have I got a problem with the valves on the second cylinder - don't know why there's all that 'stuff' on it?

Edited 20 June, 200719 yr by Chuck Yoghurt

I dont know if the sell dowels for the engine, but I'll just machine some old valve guides in a lathe as they are the same diameter (12mm) as some of the bolt holes in the head. the head bolts are arround 11mm diameter.

as for no.2 cylinder, if thats oil and the car is a bit smokey when it starts up, then its likely to be a valve stem oil seal thats gone. they are cheap enough, but can be a pig to get the old ones off.

I dont know if the sell dowels for the engine, but I'll just machine some old valve guides in a lathe as they are the same diameter (12mm) as some of the bolt holes in the head. the head bolts are arround 11mm diameter.

as for no.2 cylinder, if thats oil and the car is a bit smokey when it starts up, then its likely to be a valve stem oil seal thats gone. they are cheap enough, but can be a pig to get the old ones off.

wicked, i'll just get some 12mm steel rod to use.

Just noticed the other pots have the same stuff round them. Hadn't noticed the car being smokey at all.

I didn't really wanna dismantle the camshaft but maybe I ought to while I have the chance. Could it be there for any other reason? (can't think of one but I know next to nothing anyway! )

Thanks for your help btw