Let’s face it. Whether it’s because of time or money, you can’t take your Corvette to the shop every time it needs something. You might not even want to because you prefer to perform all of the work on it yourself. Whatever the reason for turning your own wrenches, our friends at Driving Line have some tips to keep you – or a first-time amateur mechanic you know – in one un-maimed piece.
No matter what you’re doing, the most important tool to use is your brain. Of course, metal tools, such as six-point sockets, are essential, too. It’s best to use them in a clean, uncluttered garage workspace. Once you’re ready to lift up your vehicle, make sure you put the jack in the right place underneath, whether that’s below a front crossmember or in the pinch welds under the doors. Don’t let that do all of the work, though. Get jack stands if you don’t have them already and use them. The same goes for wheel chocks. Oh – and make sure you have a good engine hoist for yanking/installing engines and trannies.
You can’t really get anything done in your garage if scalding radiator gets in your eyes, so be careful around areas that are under pressure like your cooling or fuel systems. Have gloves and rags on hand. To avoid getting snagged on moving parts, show up wearing clothing that fits close to your body. That and a working fire extinguisher – as well as the knowledge of how to use one – will come in handy in case a fire breaks out in your workspace. We certainly hope it doesn’t so you can take your Corvette back out on the street to light up its tires.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
