grumpy? how do I learn to fix the car body, and mechanicals

grumpyvette

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"grumpy? how do I learn to fix the car body, and mechanical components? I just purchased my first muscle car (its a 1968 lemans) but its interior is pretty much trash, the body needs work and Im sure the drive train needs to be replaced"


well the main thing you need is a willingness to learn new skills and a place to work, on a fairly level surface where you and your tools are safe, youll need a few (4) 6-12 ton rated jack stands, a floor jack, and obviously basic mechanics tools and the willingness to learn new skills, and make new contacts, and having access to a decent welder and decent air compressor, or friends with those tools certainly helps
posting clear pictures and asking questions helps
having a few basic meters,gauges etc. helps

image_6238.jpg

MULTI METER
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INFRARED TEMP GUN
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TIMING LIGHT
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COMPRESSION GAUGE
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PRESSURE/VACUUM GAUGE
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every mechanic needs an ANALOG multi meter for testing capacitors with a micro farad scale, AND a DIGITAL MULTI METER
analogmulti.jpg


you ABSOLUTELY NEED A SHOP MANUAL FOR YOUR CAR,YEAR,MAKE,MODEL

http://www.helminc.com/helm

1996_Corvette.jpg

almost anything you need to learn can be found in books, on the internet or you can learn it from members of a local car club.
step one
locate and join at least two local hot rod or corvette clubs and offer to do free labor in exchange for instruction on how to do paint and body, electrical and mechanical repair work, try to make friends with the older guys that have rather extensive experience and don,t be afraid to get your hands dirty doing actual work and don,t shy away from learning new skills even if you don,t see an instant use for them. if you don,t know how to do a brake job, or replace a water pump or install a rear differential,install a window regulator or repair an air conditioner or re-upholster a seat, LEARN those skills you would be amazed at how many times youll find you can trade work for other work on cars in a car club

step two
find a local trade school or a mentor you trust to teach you several types of welding, and only after your familiar with equipment buy yours.
but youll find MIG and TIG covers the vast majority of work youll need

step three
read thru all the books and web sites you can, and ask a ton of questions,and don,t take a single source as 100% correct there's usually at least two ways to do something, and having a shop manual on the car you decide to build, and a few basic tools like 4 6-12 ton rated jack stands, a floor jack, multi meter, timing light and basic mechanic tools helps a great deal, yet it knowing what your doing or being willing to research it and follow thru and actually learn the skills that maters

one of the advantages of some car related sites, is that it allows you to make local connections and meet a few guys who are interested in cars.
It used to be back in the day, when I was a teenager that having a "COOL CAR" was nearly every almost an adult males, goal , and you learned a great deal hanging out with the older guys who had the cash and experience to build those "DREAM CARS" that most of the younger guys really could only start to afford or built, yet by hanging out with "the gear-head crowd" and by joining the local muscle car and corvette clubs you eventually made the contacts and got deals, and gained experience, it would sure help to know what city and state your located in, because there is likely some guy reading the thread that might be local to you that has the experience required and the willingness to show you how its done, if he knew you were local, I know Ive sure helped a few dozen guys posting problems who just needed an experienced teacher or helping hand on a project,over the years

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READ THIS LINK AND SUB LINKS
viewtopic.php?f=44&t=3733&p=30179#p30179

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=1162&p=2379&hilit=learning+skills+over+your+head#p2379

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1669

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=11026&p=48766#p48766

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=77

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=10077&p=39367#p39367

viewtopic.php?f=61&t=1405&p=32080&hilit=paint+booth#p32080

viewtopic.php?f=61&t=6966&hilit=paint+booth

viewtopic.php?f=61&t=2675&p=6938&hilit=paint+booth#p6938

viewtopic.php?f=61&t=2675&p=6934&hilit=+paint+garage#p6934

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=9731

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=5936

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=339&p=21733&hilit=getting+started+hobby#p21733

viewtopic.php?f=50&t=11026

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=8086

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=4604
 
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I frequently have been asked how I learned "TO DO ALL THIS STUFF" well its mostly the result,
of a almost complete failure to be intimidated ..
if someone built it, I should be able to understand how and why it works
, how its dis-assembled, inspected, re-assembled tested and repaired
(even at times WHEN.......I should know better)

and a complete faith in the idea that if some guy built this, I'm certainly smart enough and persistent enough,
and fully aware of the fact that almost anything you need to know, is available if your willing to do the required research.

that basically means that the only thing you need is the appropriate tools , and being a tool junky... I look at that as a CHALLENGE of sorts.
now Ive been over my head on many occasions and had to pay some mentor or more experienced mechanic or machine shop to do the repairs or ,
finish a project I started or show me the correct way to do something....but if your smart you tend to take physical and mental notes,
and take pictures and if you can get your greedy , greasy little hands on the manuals and tooling.
now obviously this attitude has occasionally cost me time and money....
but the key here is I constantly gain knowledge and an ever expanding set of tools and skills.
as I get older Ive come to recognition the fact that the vast majority of people are either too lazy ,
or they may have decided its easier too pay someone else,
too do the repair or modifications they need.
or some few are un-interested or a very few are just too stupid to delve into areas they are totally unfamiliar with.
so as a result most of the guys with the desire to learn and work eventually gain a great deal of skills and knowledge over time.
Ive always felt that the vast majority of work and cost most people find they pay for, related to auto repairs was not parts,
they pay for labor done convenience, of not doing the repair personally..
and they pay someone else for a personal lack of knowledge and a penalty for not owning the tools,
nor having the skills or a place to do the repair work.
think about it.... guys get quoted $500-$700 for a brake job or $600 for a water pump replacement or $4000 for an engine rebuild.
in each case its a safe bet that 30%-50% of the cost is not replaced parts.
learning to do your own repair work is almost mandatory if your on a financial budget!
and if its an older car, it might be a damn good idea simply because so many newer mechanics are almost totally reliant on a computer,
or diagnostic software to direct them to the area where they replace some sub-assembly, sensor or component,
and in a few cases they have zero idea what the part even, does, they simply replace it because the software says it needs to be replaced.
Ive seen guys spend hours diagnosing problems that 10 minutes with a multi meter would isolates, or spend hours diagnosing an issue,
that a visual inspection of the related component ,
would show was related to a loose hose or electrical connector, blown fuse,
or corroded connector on a ground.
if you don,t fully understand how and why certain components work,
thats understandable...
but to the older more experienced mechanic or engineer,
its always a case of, isolate the issue to each components or sub-component or sensor or connection, function, and test it.
no one knows how to do a valve job, brake replacement,or tune up,when they start...they are skills you learn, and yes your 100% certain..
to make mistakes...
learn from the mistakes and don,t repeat them!
yes you will occasionally pay too much or run into totally incompetent jerks...
its the price of admission to becoming smarter!
On the plus side you'll constantly gain knowledge,
and make fewer mistakes, gain a few friends, make a few contacts
and constantly gain skills.. and collect a few tools in many cases...
occasionally save some money....to spend on more tools...whats not to like!

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/precision-measuring-tools.1390/#post-68850

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/drop-back-to-basics.12943/#post-67340

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ting-started-in-the-car-hobby.339/#post-60187


http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/im-curious-here-how-many-of-you-gentlemen-are-members-of-a-car-club.15715/#post-94054

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/think-thru-your-goals.10606/#post-78961


http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/bare-minimum-tools.11026/#post-51843

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...em-will-eventually-cost-you.11810/#post-56635

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...nd-start-on-a-minor-project.14890/#post-83679

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...logic-skills-of-some-people.14815/#post-82129

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...to-locate-a-problems-source.14297/#post-73009


http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...lay-switch-locations-and-info.728/#post-72181

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...questions-can-get-expensive.12236/#post-59638

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...ing-parts-and-a-logical-plan.7722/#post-71170
 
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On the plus side youll constantly gain knowledge,
and make fewer mistakes, gain a few friends, make a few contacts
and constantly gain skills.. and collect a few tools in many cases...
whats not to like!


And all who ask this dumb question should look it up on the internet and find which School is the best to teach the basics of what they want to learn.

The rest will never have the money or time to do it or the drive to learn what it will take a lifetime to do.

In my lifetime --I still do not know it all in the world of cars. Some things I just don't care about and just pay to have them repaired. or just stay old school.
 
"whats not to like!"
ok you don,t always see my dry humor I get it!
 
Humor? I thought some IDIOT really asked you that question. I get them all the time and I just brush them off after they say they can't spend every weekend for a month on the project.
 
Oh I get asked that question very frequently,
\what I meant by humor was , by that
"whats not to like!" comment,
was a reference to dealing with those occasional idiots,

and like you stated people that assume you have nothing better to do,
than fit their car repairs into your schedule at the drop of a hat,
even if they rarely show up when they say they will.
nor do they think its any problem, if they say they will purchase the required parts,
then conveniently forget too do so !
I willingly spend a great deal of time and effort helping others for FREE,
my choice,
but it rather annoy's me when guys make a point of confirming an appointment,
and fail to show or even call, over and over.

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...kes-your-skills-for-granted.15127/#post-86272

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/code-scanners-software.3096/#post-76256

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...and-verify-each-possibility.11219/#post-50642

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/c4-c5-corvette-trouble-codes.2697/#post-34357

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...an-obdii-reader-analizer-ect.8136/#post-29007

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/multi-meters.3110/#post-16799

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...elay-switch-locations-and-info.728/#post-9217

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...i-and-scan-tool-software-links.469/#post-6061

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...asic-trouble-shooting-on-the-c4.302/#post-367
 
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You can't pick your family, but you can pick your friends. And those that abuse that friendship are soon lost to me for you can;t fix stupid or help those that want accept the sweat equity that goes along with that friendship.

And I do like, but no longer have the umph to do it. So just cruising along for the ride.
 
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:rolleyes::D
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

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