Garage Storage Organization and Garage Cabinets

topdollar69 · **Has anyone press their own piston pins?**

My local machine shop, must be run by criminals, because their prices are a rip off. I was wondering what the procedure is that machine shops use to press the top rod into press fit rods. Can this be done at home?

Thanks

stampederunner · 04-28-2005, 01:47 AM

Do you own a hammer? Just kidding, it shouldnt be that expensive though it is actually a very quick/easy process for a machine shop

JDIZZ · 04-30-2005, 02:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampederunner

Do you own a hammer? Just kidding, it shouldnt be that expensive though it is actually a very quick/easy process for a machine shop

My machine shop does not press them. They have a propane heater made just for this. They put the small end of the rod in the heater, it expands, and in one fast shot they assemble the rod, pin and piston before the small end of the rod cools down.
Why is it done this way? It removes the chance of damage to the piston by the press.

Joe Dzwil

Phreakish · 04-30-2005, 12:51 PM

hmmmm... I brought in my box 'o pistons, and they put them on the rods, installed new bushings, reconditioned the rods (checked length, journal sizes, squareness, re-heat treated the small end to correct rockwell status) and put in new pins for $40... They charge $10 per cyl... He said he woulda done it for free if I got my pistons from him (he was cheaper too!).

JDIZZ · 04-30-2005, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phreakish

hmmmm... I brought in my box 'o pistons, and they put them on the rods, installed new bushings, reconditioned the rods (checked length, journal sizes, squareness, re-heat treated the small end to correct rockwell status) and put in new pins for $40... They charge $10 per cyl... He said he woulda done it for free if I got my pistons from him (he was cheaper too!).

If they installed new bushings in the small end of the rod, that means they are floaters and need no press. Apples and oranges.

Joe Dzwil

Phreakish · 05-01-2005, 01:35 AM

hmmmmmm... now that you mention it, yeah, forgot about that.

89acclaim · 05-01-2005, 03:00 PM

I wonder if you could do it in an oven. Maybe that would warp something and make things unhappy... hummm

Daniel Merrill

SwiftTech · 05-04-2005, 03:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDIZZ

My machine shop does not press them. They have a propane heater made just for this. They put the small end of the rod in the heater, it expands, and in one fast shot they assemble the rod, pin and piston before the small end of the rod cools down.
Why is it done this way? It removes the chance of damage to the piston by the press.

Joe Dzwil

You also have to freeze the pin. If you build a lot of engines with press pins you can get the tools to do it but it won't be cheap. there is a special heater for the rods, a fixture to hold the pison with and adjustable stop so you don't go too far with the pin, and when dissassembling them yo do use a press but not an ordinary shop press. It takes a special press with special arbors to make sure the piston isn't torn to shreds. We had all this equipment at my high school auto shop and I put together a set of sbc pistons and rods. It takes practice though, you have to move fast or else you won't get it in far enough and will have to press it out and start over again. I say find another machine shop to go to.

turbovanman · 05-04-2005, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JDIZZ

If they installed new bushings in the small end of the rod, that means they are floaters and need no press. Apples and oranges.

Joe Dzwil

Thats what I was going to say, T2's or 89 and up T1's have full floating pins and held in with simple clips!

mock_glh · 05-04-2005, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwiftTech

You also have to freeze the pin. If you build a lot of engines with press pins you can get the tools to do it but it won't be cheap. there is a special heater for the rods, a fixture to hold the pison with and adjustable stop so you don't go too far with the pin, and when dissassembling them yo do use a press but not an ordinary shop press. It takes a special press with special arbors to make sure the piston isn't torn to shreds. We had all this equipment at my high school auto shop and I put together a set of sbc pistons and rods. It takes practice though, you have to move fast or else you won't get it in far enough and will have to press it out and start over again. I say find another machine shop to go to.

I've done this many times at home with V8 motors I,ve built. You can heat the rods with a common propane torch and you don't need special fixtures. when the rod is hot the pin will slide right in but you only have a second or two to center it up. It's not an exact science.

86Shelby · 05-04-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phreakish

hmmmm... I brought in my box 'o pistons, and they put them on the rods, installed new bushings, reconditioned the rods (checked length, journal sizes, squareness, re-heat treated the small end to correct rockwell status) and put in new pins for $40...

So they did all that for 40 bucks? Reconditioning the rods, installed new bushings, fit the pins to the bushings and assembling the pistons on the rods isn't too bad. If they only put the pistons on that is a bit steep.

turbovanman · 05-05-2005, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Shelby

So they did all that for 40 bucks? Reconditioning the rods, installed new bushings, fit the pins to the bushings and assembling the pistons on the rods isn't too bad. If they only put the pistons on that is a bit steep.

True, didn't read that part or didn't clue in, yeah, $40 is a pretty good deal!

JDIZZ · 05-05-2005, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SwiftTech

You also have to freeze the pin. If you build a lot of engines with press pins you can get the tools to do it but it won't be cheap. there is a special heater for the rods, a fixture to hold the pison with and adjustable stop so you don't go too far with the pin, and when dissassembling them yo do use a press but not an ordinary shop press. It takes a special press with special arbors to make sure the piston isn't torn to shreds. We had all this equipment at my high school auto shop and I put together a set of sbc pistons and rods. It takes practice though, you have to move fast or else you won't get it in far enough and will have to press it out and start over again. I say find another machine shop to go to.

Quote:

You also have to freeze the pin.

No you don't. But it can't hurt, only help.

Joe Dzwil

JDIZZ · 05-05-2005, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 86Shelby

So they did all that for 40 bucks? Reconditioning the rods, installed new bushings, fit the pins to the bushings and assembling the pistons on the rods isn't too bad. If they only put the pistons on that is a bit steep.

If your lucky, one may get two rods reconditioned around here for $ 40.00. Not four!

Joe Dzwil

MidwestMotorman · 05-07-2005, 01:58 PM

With regards to pressing pins, do four cylinders need offset pins? I am talking about press in pins and not floaters. I know that V8 engines (and maybe V6 too?) are supposed to have the pin offset slightly to one side otherwise it may knock. I have always had a machine shop do them for fear of pysically damaging parts or causing heat damage to components.