I was recently asked by a neighbors son, who is about 19 years old if I could stop over and provide a bit of insight into why he was having so many problems,
It brought back a great deal of memories.
we ALL have on occasion gotten in over our heads on some project,
and eventually realizing you need experienced and skilled help.
obviously, this is something most of us run into,
and its one reason I suggest buying a factory shop manual,
for any car you own.
don,t get frustrated or discouraged,
you have access to the internet and this web site, both can provide a great deal of info I did not have access to growing up.
no one in this hobby starts out with much knowledge,
that's one reason I started this web site, I sure spent a ton of cash I could ill afford
and wasted many days waiting on people,
who really were not all that skilled or knowledgable in some cases.
and it's one reason I have suggested many times that you find a local hot rod or muscle car club and volunteer,
as much time as you can toward helping on other people's cars,
so you can gain skills and social contacts.
Its to be expected and its all part of paying you dues and gaining experience.
the trick here is..
that if at all possible you want to gain personal experience and add to your skills,
in the process.
In most cases, you should watch how something is being done and ideally be involved and ask questions.
obviously this may be difficult as machine shops and dealership repair lines do everything they can to prevent a client from seeing what and how repairs are done..
.(or in a few cases not done) even if you paid for it to be.
but theres also at least some knowledge being gained an a realization that your lacking the tools or skills to progress further without help,
and occasionally youll screw something up to the point it will cost a good deal more in additional parts time, and labor .. again,
Its to be expected and its all part of paying you dues and gaining experience.
and in many cases it almost forces you to gain more skills and as a "side benefit"
it can almost force you to expand your tool inventory.
what really pisses me off is knowing your being screwed due to your personal lack of tools or knowledge,
I don,t know how you feel but if you have ever been fighting something for hours or even days and you finally give in and call a pro,
who has the tools and skills and you see how quickly and easily somethings done correctly with the correct tools, and you'll certainly need a few new tools in this hobby as you gain skills and experience.
and you,ll occasionally have to pay what you feel was an exorbitant labor charge's
or you know without a doubt,that you're being seriously overcharged for parts...
...that knowledge that your being overcharged to get something repaired...makes me want to buy the required tools and gain the skills so that issue or lack of a skill, is NEVER REPEATED!!!
yeah! we have all been there at least occasionally,
and its not something you can really avoid.
Im sure we all have stories, and it can be as simple as not owning the correct tool, or even knowing it exists or how to use it.
I know my first clutch replacement took about 3 full days when I was about 16 years old,
I had no idea what a clutch alignment tool was or how to adjust a muncie shifter linkage,
bell housing alignment?
clutch alignment tool?
dial indicator?
hell, I had no idea how to adjust a throwout bearing on my first clutch replacement.....
but looking back Its to be expected and its all part of paying you dues and gaining experience.
And yes it still happens to me occasionally and yes it still pisses me off,
once I see how having a bit more knowledge and maybe a tool I don,t yet own,
could have saved me a great deal of time and cash!
I frequently get asked to help or provide guidance on auto or garage related projects
one of the younger guys I recently helped seemed rather amazed that I knew how,
to troubleshoot his problem and rather rapidly found its source.
He asked me how I learned how to do it?
I basically said,....you just need to stop being afraid of failing,
and understand you need to do as much research as you can, do
prior to diving into a project.
you'll find damn near everything is a bit intimidating the first few times you try to do it,
but after a few dozen projects, you'll look back and wonder how you ever had any doubts you could do it.
in fact, you'll kick yourself mentally for ever doubting you could do somethings that were so simple to do,
once you understood what was needed and how it was accomplished.
simple stuff like doing a brake job, replacing injectors or setting the ignition timing, or doing a tune-up may look to be rather difficult
if you've never done it.
and it certainly helps if you have an experienced mentor,
but you'll never get the skills and knowledge and experience required to be a decent mechanic,
or learn new skills if you're reluctant to get in over your head in new projects.
now obviously if you are naturally curious and like small challenges,
and like working with both your hands and mind its a big help!
but don,t be afraid to tackle things your currently clueless about,
it how you'll learn new skills... and if you're a tool junkie... justify new tool purchases
no ones born knowing how to succeed at auto repair work,
but there's not a damn thing on any car that your average guy can,t
fix or replace if he's willing to learn how the components work,
what needs to be checked and tested,
and if he's willing to learn new skills and acquire a few tools in the process.
with every new project you gain experience,
you may not know how to install a cam,swap injectors,
or replace a set of brakes or upholster a seat....
but with some research and ideally if you find an experienced mentor,
all those skills and more are rather easy to master if your willing to put in the time and effort required.
lack of experience is a curable issue,
especially if your willing to help others with their cars
and join a local car club, or at least make several friends with local guys,
that own similar cars who are willing to help each other with projects and repairs
related threads
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ectly-installing-bellhousings.584/#post-55596
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/adjusting-muncie-shifter-linkage.1674/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-my-hurst-four-speed-shifter.2936/#post-83750
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...tion-about-throw-out-bearing.6258/#post-19699
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ressure-required-to-operate.13221/#post-96244
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/hello-grumpyvette-here.278/
It brought back a great deal of memories.
we ALL have on occasion gotten in over our heads on some project,
and eventually realizing you need experienced and skilled help.
obviously, this is something most of us run into,
and its one reason I suggest buying a factory shop manual,
for any car you own.
don,t get frustrated or discouraged,
you have access to the internet and this web site, both can provide a great deal of info I did not have access to growing up.
no one in this hobby starts out with much knowledge,
that's one reason I started this web site, I sure spent a ton of cash I could ill afford
and wasted many days waiting on people,
who really were not all that skilled or knowledgable in some cases.
and it's one reason I have suggested many times that you find a local hot rod or muscle car club and volunteer,
as much time as you can toward helping on other people's cars,
so you can gain skills and social contacts.
Its to be expected and its all part of paying you dues and gaining experience.
the trick here is..
that if at all possible you want to gain personal experience and add to your skills,
in the process.
In most cases, you should watch how something is being done and ideally be involved and ask questions.
obviously this may be difficult as machine shops and dealership repair lines do everything they can to prevent a client from seeing what and how repairs are done..
.(or in a few cases not done) even if you paid for it to be.
but theres also at least some knowledge being gained an a realization that your lacking the tools or skills to progress further without help,
and occasionally youll screw something up to the point it will cost a good deal more in additional parts time, and labor .. again,
Its to be expected and its all part of paying you dues and gaining experience.
and in many cases it almost forces you to gain more skills and as a "side benefit"
it can almost force you to expand your tool inventory.
what really pisses me off is knowing your being screwed due to your personal lack of tools or knowledge,
I don,t know how you feel but if you have ever been fighting something for hours or even days and you finally give in and call a pro,
who has the tools and skills and you see how quickly and easily somethings done correctly with the correct tools, and you'll certainly need a few new tools in this hobby as you gain skills and experience.
and you,ll occasionally have to pay what you feel was an exorbitant labor charge's
or you know without a doubt,that you're being seriously overcharged for parts...
...that knowledge that your being overcharged to get something repaired...makes me want to buy the required tools and gain the skills so that issue or lack of a skill, is NEVER REPEATED!!!
yeah! we have all been there at least occasionally,
and its not something you can really avoid.
Im sure we all have stories, and it can be as simple as not owning the correct tool, or even knowing it exists or how to use it.
I know my first clutch replacement took about 3 full days when I was about 16 years old,
I had no idea what a clutch alignment tool was or how to adjust a muncie shifter linkage,
bell housing alignment?
clutch alignment tool?
dial indicator?
hell, I had no idea how to adjust a throwout bearing on my first clutch replacement.....
but looking back Its to be expected and its all part of paying you dues and gaining experience.
And yes it still happens to me occasionally
and yes it still pisses me off,once I see how having a bit more knowledge and maybe a tool I don,t yet own,
could have saved me a great deal of time and cash!
I frequently get asked to help or provide guidance on auto or garage related projects
one of the younger guys I recently helped seemed rather amazed that I knew how,
to troubleshoot his problem and rather rapidly found its source.
He asked me how I learned how to do it?
I basically said,....you just need to stop being afraid of failing,
and understand you need to do as much research as you can, do
prior to diving into a project.
you'll find damn near everything is a bit intimidating the first few times you try to do it,
but after a few dozen projects, you'll look back and wonder how you ever had any doubts you could do it.
in fact, you'll kick yourself mentally for ever doubting you could do somethings that were so simple to do,
once you understood what was needed and how it was accomplished.
simple stuff like doing a brake job, replacing injectors or setting the ignition timing, or doing a tune-up may look to be rather difficult
if you've never done it.
and it certainly helps if you have an experienced mentor,
but you'll never get the skills and knowledge and experience required to be a decent mechanic,
or learn new skills if you're reluctant to get in over your head in new projects.
now obviously if you are naturally curious and like small challenges,
and like working with both your hands and mind its a big help!
but don,t be afraid to tackle things your currently clueless about,
it how you'll learn new skills... and if you're a tool junkie... justify new tool purchases
no ones born knowing how to succeed at auto repair work,
but there's not a damn thing on any car that your average guy can,t
fix or replace if he's willing to learn how the components work,
what needs to be checked and tested,
and if he's willing to learn new skills and acquire a few tools in the process.
with every new project you gain experience,
you may not know how to install a cam,swap injectors,
or replace a set of brakes or upholster a seat....
but with some research and ideally if you find an experienced mentor,
all those skills and more are rather easy to master if your willing to put in the time and effort required.
lack of experience is a curable issue,
especially if your willing to help others with their cars
and join a local car club, or at least make several friends with local guys,
that own similar cars who are willing to help each other with projects and repairs
related threads
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ectly-installing-bellhousings.584/#post-55596
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/adjusting-muncie-shifter-linkage.1674/
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...-my-hurst-four-speed-shifter.2936/#post-83750
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...tion-about-throw-out-bearing.6258/#post-19699
http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ressure-required-to-operate.13221/#post-96244
http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/hello-grumpyvette-here.278/
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