Classic Alfa Forums

That is such a neat idea.

I guess it would work for cylinder blocks as well, if it was built stout enough?

I'd guess it would, yes. The beauty of using soft pine is that it is cheap and easy to work with but soft enough so it won't damage the alloy which actually seems to grip to it rather than slide like if made from steel.

Poplar may well be better as its nice and soft, but does not splinter like pine.

Good idea though.

Finally got the head back from having new valve guides fitted and a skim.
Tonight I tried out the home made X bench and happily it works a treat, you can indeed position the head at whatever angle you want and it doesn't move or slide around and is in no danger of falling off the workbench or getting damaged, even hammering home the stem seals is child's play rather than trying to hold the head still!
The handy tool for fitting them just makes the job foolproof with its recess for the seal so the part you are hammering down on is the shoulder portion, far better than using a socket as it has a pointed end which slides down into the guide so all lines up perfectly, different sized fittings in the kit for different valve guide diameters.

Being a large X design also leaves plenty of space underneath for the spring compressor, this one is old and twisted (like me, some might say!) as it was my dad's and I prefer using it to my more modern deep throated one.

Valves all in, I'll put the cam boxes back on soon then set about shimming the tapett clearances.

Bangers and cash TV show this Thursday has Richard on from when the Fulvia sedan was collected from him for sale at the Mathewson auction a year or more ago...
Yesterday channel, 8pm.

I will stick it on my tv planner mate. Nice one.