I just put my head back on my recently acquired 84 jetta(1.7L). If I remember correctly, when I was taking the head off, I didn't take the timing belt tensioner off until after the head was out of the car. I am now assembeling everything back on but ran into trouble with the t-belt tensioner(of all things!!). It wouldn't go on. There was not enough space b/w the end of the bolt and the frame of the car. Is it suppose to do that? I don't think I tried to take it off while head was in car . I had to raise the engine a bit with a jack to get it in. Is that a sign of deteriorating engine mounts or is it just a very tight clearance? I didn't notice any knocks or clunks when accelerating hard or decel. I Kinda felt around w/ a screw driver as instructed by Haynes.(yes, yes, I know. It is in three "sections" now because I got angry when I stripped one of the oil pan mounting bolt holes on the ?rear main seal carrier? by the tranny(how could I fix that until I get a chance to remove the tranny? JB weld? Epoxy? I can't fit a drill & die perfectly straight into the hole as the tranny is in the way.)The mounts flex somewhat when I use the screwdriver.
Thank you, Jerritt
...Installation is the reverse of removal...