How do you guys do it?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Boston MA
Wow what a great response. Thanks alot guys, I feel much better about tackling a frame-off one day. My dad and I are currently working on a '75 that we bought back in November. We are just doing little things like changing the carpet and putting new plugs, wires and filters on the engine and I hope to change the carb and fan clutch soon. Sadly we cant get it done until it starts getting warmer around here! 
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Harleysville pa
I am no expert but I put my first motor in when I was 18 in a 78 monty carlo in the back yard of my parents house in the dirt. It was me and my brother. Bought a replacment motor and donor car for $500. That was almost 20 years ago. Ever since then I just tinkered on stuff and now I have some hot rods again..
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 159
Likes: 0
From: Mansfield Texas
What seems most important to me is to not allow it to get the best of you. If you get frustrated, just take a break and think about it. Don't try to push through it. You end up breaking things that way. Try to come up with another way. Don't get too frustrated to not allow others to give you a second idea. Also, take lots of pictures of the dis-assembly. It gives you a visual log for re-assembly. Buy lots of zip-lock bags and lable every set of nuts, bolts and washers as they come off. Something I have learned over the years, no-one knows everything. Just when you think you have it down packed, someone else shows you a better way to do it. Keep your ears open, listen, then decide whether its a good idea or not. Think of your work as chapters on a book. Each thing you complete is another chapter closer to completing the book.
TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
Wow what a great response. Thanks alot guys, I feel much better about tackling a frame-off one day. My dad and I are currently working on a '75 that we bought back in November. We are just doing little things like changing the carpet and putting new plugs, wires and filters on the engine and I hope to change the carb and fan clutch soon. Sadly we cant get it done until it starts getting warmer around here!
Things that have worked for me will probably work for you seeing we are in about the same spot. One, zip lock bags are your best friend. Also document what you have done with pictures, and SAVE YOUR RECIEPTS! even if you arent worried about money, when you buy the part it will give you a time frame of when you replaced something.
Last edited by chstitans42; Mar 23, 2007 at 03:38 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Provo Utah
Took auto tech in highschool for 2 years. Did basic engine rebuild (lawn mower engine) and learned how an engine worked. Before I was 16 I rode motorcycles so I also learned to rebuild those myself. My brother was very knowledgable with cars and could fix anything, so I helped him a lot with his cars and learned by watching him. Now, about 10 years later I have had my corvette for about 6 years and have been doing the rebuilds and maintanence alone (with the help of friends and this forum). I may not know all the technical terms for parts, but for the most part I can get by. I too Am working towards a frame off restoration and i know that time and money are the hard things to come up with. The knowledge will come as you do it...that's the best way to learn anything - do it...I am a fan of this analogy...A person can read all sorts of books about how to shoot a basket ball, but they wont know how to do it unless they get on the court and do it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,130
Likes: 3,938
From: Connecticut, USA
If you want to learn and have patience then all you need to do is find an "in" Someone in a club, cruise nights, shows, etc that is working on an old car. They may need help and you can learn a lot that way. You won't get paid in cash but the knowledge is worth much more. Keep in mind there isn't one person here who was born with this knowledge we all had to learn and time is needed.
I used to run tech classes here, free to anyone, on rebuilding corvettes. I covered brake systems, rear bearings, steering boxes, differentials, general repairs. It offered guys with no experience a chance to see what is involved and how things work on these cars.
So I would look into your area to see if you can find someone to help you. I have a combined 35 years of machine tool, automotive, and hands on corvette experience and still learn things everyday.
Good luck to you. What ever you do just don't stop in the middle and give up.
I used to run tech classes here, free to anyone, on rebuilding corvettes. I covered brake systems, rear bearings, steering boxes, differentials, general repairs. It offered guys with no experience a chance to see what is involved and how things work on these cars.
So I would look into your area to see if you can find someone to help you. I have a combined 35 years of machine tool, automotive, and hands on corvette experience and still learn things everyday.
Good luck to you. What ever you do just don't stop in the middle and give up.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: ElP TX
In my case it was out of necessity. Growing up with no money other than that from part time jobs and mowing lawns means that you have to work on you car yourself to fix and repair it. I either had to dive in and fix it or not have a vehicle to drive.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 432
Likes: 2
From: Poconos PA
7. Hot chick starts to get bigger and nag more.
8. Life starts feeling like a drag ...you want out.
9. You get a divorce wife gets house and car and half of future earnings at good job.
10. Meet an average chick sit on the beach with a Natural Ice.
11. Start restoration on your Vega.
Eventually you have to learn how to work on cars
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 11,891
Likes: 3
From: Kansas City, MO ...I'd like to go fishing and catch a fishstick. That'd be convenient. - Mitch Hedberg
I have earned what little car knowledge I have by getting my hands dirty. I bought my car, then started taking stuff apart and putting it back together. As I get more courage and knowledge, I dig deeper. Soon I shall learn how to rebuild a suspension. Next year I learn how to install an overdrive transmission.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo New York
It's funny to me because as a kid I was always great at taking things apart, but got bored putting them back together...I learned some patience as I got older...
The best thing that I learned is there are tolerances to everything. While, you will find some perfectionists here who do amazing and always perfect work, perfect isn't essential and making mistakes doesn't always mean the car won't run or will explode.
I for one will never have a perfect car, but after a lot of trial and error I have worked on every system in my car. In the end, I think I have pretty nice vette that is plenty fast...
Good Luck!!!
The best thing that I learned is there are tolerances to everything. While, you will find some perfectionists here who do amazing and always perfect work, perfect isn't essential and making mistakes doesn't always mean the car won't run or will explode.
I for one will never have a perfect car, but after a lot of trial and error I have worked on every system in my car. In the end, I think I have pretty nice vette that is plenty fast...
Good Luck!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,675
Likes: 13
From: Sudbury MA
Usually when you jump in the water you learn how to swim.
I am not a mechanic, but completely restored my 68 coupe. Often when you take sometihg apart, it becomes very obvious what is broken or how it should be reassembled/restored. Good notes and an assembly manual help a lot. It is not rocket science.
Like a journey, one step at a time and before you know it , you are there.
Kurt
I am not a mechanic, but completely restored my 68 coupe. Often when you take sometihg apart, it becomes very obvious what is broken or how it should be reassembled/restored. Good notes and an assembly manual help a lot. It is not rocket science.
Like a journey, one step at a time and before you know it , you are there.
Kurt
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
The one thing I can tell you. Whatever job your doing stay focused on that part of the project. When you look at whole project (Frame Off) you can get overwhelmed. Step by step and follow your list, don't jump all over the list. Finish one thing at a time. This way you feel your moving forward and you have acoomplished something.
Nice thing is, if the car your working on is not your daily driver that takes a lot of stress off yourself.
Nice thing is, if the car your working on is not your daily driver that takes a lot of stress off yourself.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
All of the advice given here is very good. I would add a different perspective, as well. The work you do on your Corvette is very valuable in your future engineering life. Too many engineers only learn theory [and some lab work] in school...but they really never get their hands dirty to see some of the problems their designs create. By working on your car, you get to see how others designed things and how they work out. Pay particular attention to convenience of assembly and disassembly, for example. Designers lock in the ability [or inability] for manufacturing to do their job well. My message, here, is that your Corvette is a very valuable "test bed" for real-world hardware to compare to your ongoing "book learning". Both are very important; learning from both is invaluable.
[P.S. I'm an engineer, also; but I was a Vette-lover FIRST!]
[P.S. I'm an engineer, also; but I was a Vette-lover FIRST!]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
When I bought my first car at age 17 and no money to pay a mechanic to fix anything on the car. I am mostly self taught, like most of my friends were at that age. You just dive in and take on a little at a time. Pretty soon, you discover what you can handle and what you can't. Sometimes the best way you learn is after your car breaks down at the worst possible time. You soon learn to "Adapt and Overcome". If you cannot learn or work with a experienced mechanic, get the appropriate service or repair manuals, hand and power tools, then read, read, and read some more. That's how a lot of us do it.
was a car guy since age 3!, played garage man at age 4 and filled my dads 49 ford gas tank to the top with the garden hose!
In later years I would take his car apart in the driveway and reassemble it before he went to work. Could never afford to pay a garage so I learned to fix them myself and would hang out with the gearheads and work on thier cars.
Was pulling Corvette M22 at age 14 and was doing Ferrari 308 motor at age 19
Been having a blast my whole life working on cars and attending car shows and drag races.
Gets right in your blood and you either love it or hate it
