The V8 Owners Forum -

I normally go for as big a machine as I can however I think I should try and cap my spending a bit, what is the biggest size press that will be needed for general engine/car stuff?
I'm thinking a 10 tonner would probably do- we normally just use our crane jacks but I think having a 35 tonne crane pushing out a gudgeon pin might just be overkill and a bit risky!!!

Mine is 10 and it pushes out piston pins no bother along with just about anything else I have tried in it. Wont split the hub of a halfshaft on a scim though, you need a 50 ton for that

10 tonne presses are cheap enough if you shop around, if you really must have a large one like a 30 or 50 then make it yourself - it's a simple machine and plans and parts lists could be downloaded i'm sure, and you'll save hundreds by doing so. I've seen e few home made presses in garages cobbled together with bits of RSJ that do the job fine.

The hardest thing to get out is valve guides.... But I've not tried any yet with my 12tonne press.

Chris.

ChrisJC wrote:The hardest thing to get out is valve guides.... But I've not tried any yet with my 12tonne press.

Chris.

I tried already to remove valve guides with my own 12tonne press.... not very good idea.... top of valve guide broken

You need an perfect alignment.

My dad took valve guides out of heads for 30 years with a std arbour press. Basicly he always warmed the heads up with a big torch and then just pressed them out, only as he got older and on his 2nd heart bypass did it start to pull on his stiches a bit.

I've got a 10 ton full height press, which if you have the space is handy for getting bigger bits in. Here I took it to bits and turned the press upside down so I could do some tvr wishbone bushes:

Thanks again guys, 10 it is then. Can always beef it up a bit if need more!!