rate your mechanical ability
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 196
Likes: 0
From: Ponoka Alberta
I have loved cars and hot rods since I was about 6. I took automotive mechanics all through high school and college. So of course with all that mechanical edumacation under my belt I rushed right out and joined the Navy.
I give myself about a 4.5 only because I can do most things in my garage but that still doesnt make me a pro. Still would love to have the hoists that some of the forum members have
I give myself about a 4.5 only because I can do most things in my garage but that still doesnt make me a pro. Still would love to have the hoists that some of the forum members have
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: Arlington Virginia
I'm a probably .25 above the average American woman (so I guess that makes me a -4.75).
I do recognize a leak...can usually tell if its water, oil, or gas. I know when the A/C is not cold enough and red lights in the dash board are bad.
However, I'm a 10 at writing checks.
One thing is for sure...I love my vette so much that if required to keep her running I'll work every day the rest of my life!
I do recognize a leak...can usually tell if its water, oil, or gas. I know when the A/C is not cold enough and red lights in the dash board are bad.
However, I'm a 10 at writing checks.
One thing is for sure...I love my vette so much that if required to keep her running I'll work every day the rest of my life!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,373
Likes: 6
From: Baltimore MD
Well i use to be pretty good but i have found out that later in life i have gotten lazy and forgot alot of what i been tought and learned,i guess its true ,if you dont use it you loose it
I am still decent on some things ,like superchargers and engines and other mechanical stuff.Body work i have forgot most of what i learned ,forgot how to setup rearends and manual trans.I guess my biggest problem is being lazy
Bill
I am still decent on some things ,like superchargers and engines and other mechanical stuff.Body work i have forgot most of what i learned ,forgot how to setup rearends and manual trans.I guess my biggest problem is being lazy Bill
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
I am a 0 when it comes to body & paint. Interior, mechanical I am 9 always can learn something new. I am a parts changer, could never rebuild a rear end or trans. I would need someone to show me, then I could do it.
Grew up as a spark chaser (Stereos, Remote Starts, Alarms 12 volt accessories)
Grew up as a spark chaser (Stereos, Remote Starts, Alarms 12 volt accessories)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,268
Likes: 2
From: Minnesota in the summer, Las Vegas in the winter
I rate myself about a 3-4. I am the kind of guy mechanics love. I will work on just about anything but I tend to mess things up sometimes to the point where a pro has to straighten things out. I have lots of tools and a lift in my garage so I can do lots of damage in a short time.
I know for a fact that my mechanic has laughed at me after I leave him one of my cars......and I deserve it..........
I know for a fact that my mechanic has laughed at me after I leave him one of my cars......and I deserve it..........
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
9.5 when I have the ambition and a -10 and dreading the day I aquired my tools (1 by 1) when the ambition aint there. The main thing is that I've somehow misplaced the vision to see a project as a finished entity. Do ya know what I mean ? Peace,,,Moosie 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 950
From: Keizer Oregon
I guess I would rate myself about a 6 or so. I have built a stroker motor from the ground up in my garage, rebuilt my 4-speed, welded in my own rollbar, complete interior rebuild, and am working on some major rewire under dash. I haven't done much with suspension, rear-end, and body/paint, but those are all on the list. I still have a lot to learn and I work by the trial and error method to much.
Pro
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 550
Likes: 2
From: smithfield nc usa 27577
I would say five or 6.
I would have thought an 8 ...but I know some of those guys and they are awesome.
I know guys that can hear a car drive away and tell the head gasket is about to go.(true story).I know that I am a long way from that talented,one of the guys I know fixes aircraft then goes and flys them. Thats confidence.
I would have thought an 8 ...but I know some of those guys and they are awesome.
I know guys that can hear a car drive away and tell the head gasket is about to go.(true story).I know that I am a long way from that talented,one of the guys I know fixes aircraft then goes and flys them. Thats confidence.
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
Overall, I think I'm a 7 or 8.
What I don't do: paint, body, auto trans, foreign cars like my wife's Honda CR-V (junk)
What I doo doo
motor rebuilds, brakes, rear suspension (remove and replace), interior, steering, pinball machines, jukebox, skee-ball, automatic pinsetters (although it's been 20 yrs)
I attribute all of my abilities to two men: my grandfather, as he was a jack-of-all trades and my highschool auto mechanics teacher. He was the best. I think about them often, especially when I'm working on my Vette.
http://www.1970stingray.com
What I don't do: paint, body, auto trans, foreign cars like my wife's Honda CR-V (junk)
What I doo doo
motor rebuilds, brakes, rear suspension (remove and replace), interior, steering, pinball machines, jukebox, skee-ball, automatic pinsetters (although it's been 20 yrs)
I attribute all of my abilities to two men: my grandfather, as he was a jack-of-all trades and my highschool auto mechanics teacher. He was the best. I think about them often, especially when I'm working on my Vette.
http://www.1970stingray.com
Last edited by AirTrafficController; May 19, 2007 at 02:23 PM.
Limping across the line
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,299
Likes: 109
From: Peoria Az
I'll rate myself at a 10+. Others here at work would also rate me a 10+
I work on passenger Jets for a living
From early carburated motors to late model FI engines I have no trouble. I enjoy electrical problems on old cars.
What I enjoy most is when a customer pulls out of my driveway with a smile on their face because their baby is running as it should.
A mechanics job is a thankless one, very few people will ever call up up and say "My Car is running great" but when something breaks who do they look to blame??
I work on passenger Jets for a living
From early carburated motors to late model FI engines I have no trouble. I enjoy electrical problems on old cars.
What I enjoy most is when a customer pulls out of my driveway with a smile on their face because their baby is running as it should.
A mechanics job is a thankless one, very few people will ever call up up and say "My Car is running great" but when something breaks who do they look to blame??
Lepus-temperamentalus
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,827
Likes: 5
From: Roswell Ga
Me? I'm just a shade-tree mechanic.
But having been around the business for generations, let me tell you that simply because someone can replace parts does not make them a mechanic. Given enough time, patience and instruction, damn near anybody can put this stuff together.
But find the guy that can figure out how to make a poor carburator run correctly, how to find that nagging short in the car, how to figure out how to get a car to run correctly on the street, turn in the big numbers on the dyno AND be reliable and then you've got yourself a mechanic.
But having been around the business for generations, let me tell you that simply because someone can replace parts does not make them a mechanic. Given enough time, patience and instruction, damn near anybody can put this stuff together.
But find the guy that can figure out how to make a poor carburator run correctly, how to find that nagging short in the car, how to figure out how to get a car to run correctly on the street, turn in the big numbers on the dyno AND be reliable and then you've got yourself a mechanic.
