Hey guys,

I have always been into cars and have always wanted to restore some as a hobby. But I surprisingly find myself without options to learn mechanics. Since I was a kid, I have wanted to learn about it, but no one in my family was even remotely capable. And my high school didn't offer any viable classes. I have searched online and can only find career based classes that require all-day, for 2 years commitment to learn it. There are no hobby based or casual classes where you can take at night or on the weekends. And at this time I can't purchase a car and teach myself as I don't have a garage or tools. I want to learn (or at least have some idea of what I am doing) before I really start investing.

So I am reaching out to my classic car community. If anyone is interested in having someone learn from them, I would be eternally grateful. I will do my best to work around your schedule. I live in Glen Burnie, MD.

Of course if you guys know of any other sources where I can get some hands on learning, please let me know.

Thank you.

 

I've been teaching auto mechanics at a community college for 4 years. We offer automotive classes both at night and day. Like most community colleges we have open enrollment, meaning anyone can take our courses. They could take one course a semester if they wanted. I don't think a for profit school like Uti would be a fit for what you want.

Now keep in mind that these programs are geared to train individuals to repair current vehicles, and not to restore one that's 40 years old. But this is the solid that will enable you to take on most jobs, with help on any details from the good members here. That's what's been getting me by!

 

I have checked a few of my local community colleges and I haven't found one yet that even offers what I was looking for.

I realize they would be teaching for newer cars, but to gain the hands-on, underline understanding of how to repair engines, transmissions, some electronics, and the like, I think can be ported to older engines just as you suggested.

 

Have you checked the local vocational schools? Around here, the vo-techs all offer night classes in auto mechanics, auto body, etc.

A friend of mine started taking auto body classes at his local vo-tech, about 5 years ago. He's painted 3 Corvettes and a 55 Chevy since then. He does the body work in his garage, and when he's ready to paint the car, he enrolls in class again so that he can use the school's paint booth to shoot his cars.

 

http://www.natef.org/NATEF-and-You/S...d&d=50&t=0&e=2
Here's a list of NATEF accredited schools in the Baltimore area. I would start here.

 

Thought for you.

With today's internet and do it yourself resources, I am not so sure that actually going to a school is necessary, maybe preferable, but not necessary.

IMHO, decide first what you want to learn how to do. Start with the simple things and then graduate up to the more complicated projects.

For starters, there is this forum, great source for education.

Also, check out what is going on on u tube for educational videos, amazing.

Also do an internet search, amazing what all is out there and free.

Finally, many schools, colleges ect are getting on the online education process as the way of the future.

Speaking from personal experience, the educational resources 40 to 50 years ago for the hobbyists were dramatically more limited and more likely necessitated getting somebody who knew to share. Much better today by far!

 

Thanks for the help so far. I have called at least Lincoln Tech and they didn't offer classes to take at night. At least, that is what the receptionist said. I can try back. When I was in college, one thing I learned is not to solely trust the advisor's ( or anyone one person's) word. I will try some of the others this week. But I am betting the others will follow suit.

Thanks.

 

I have been doing some reading so I can be familiar with terms and how things go together (very high level) but I really want the hands on experience. You always learn more that way and remember it better.

For example, installing an OS on a computer looks easy right...just follow the instructions. But what are all those options, what does it mean if I do x vs. y, the install crashed in the middle of the install what does that mean, what is that code for, etc? I may know the transmission has gears, but how to tear one down and troubleshoot why one is not working I feel I need the hands on knowledge. I would not be afraid to teach myself, experiment, but I don't have the resources for that right now. I was hoping to be at least experienced with this stuff when I am able to invest in the resources to do these things.

 

I agree with the above post about using online resources , you tube, etc.

I'm lucky and grateful to have come from a family of "gear heads" and have been around race cars my whole life. The "mechanically inclined" blood has been passed down to me. So, for me, I learned a lot of stuff along the way, and was able to figure out and teach myself the unknown fairly easily. I've always fixed or repaired everything in my life from cars to home, etc.

That being said, I've helped and taught a lot of people as well and can say you are either mechanically inclined, or you are not. Some people's minds just grasp that if this part does this then that obviously leads to that, so on and so forth. If you have that natural "ability", I think buying a basic tool kit (Craftsman or so) and tackling some projects is a good way to go.

Youtube sometimes has videos that are vehicle specific and hold your hand literally step by step. Other things can be more general and you can apply the mechanics of it and apply to your project.

Oil changes I don't even consider a DIY, but for someone that hasn't even turned a wrench or looked under a hood, may be a place to start.

Changing brake pads is a good beginner area. Doing a tune-up (Changing spark plugs, wires, cap, rotor). Etc., etc.

If you are in an area where your car is a winter garage beauty, you could even take stuff apart/off, and put it back on just to see the mechanics of it.

There really sin't a whole lot to the older cars. A lot of stuff is just unbolting in a certain order, and putting it back together in the reverse. The determining factor, or figuring out what is causing the problem, is usually the biggest hurdle, and that's where these forums come in. That and experience of doing it so many times and linking "this to that so it must be this".

Good luck. I'm rambling, but bored at work

 

I'm in a similar position to you, in that I have very little knowledge but am keen to learn. Luckily I do now have a garage so it makes it a little bit easier.

I recently found a book that has been a brilliant resource for me that you might want to get hold of - it's called 'The Reluctant Motor Mechanic' and was written in 1979 by a British journalist, John Fordham. It explains the basics of each system in a car very clearly with excellent drawings. It's given me a basic knowledge that makes it much easier to follow the advice I read here on the forums, in manuals etc.

I'm in the UK so found the book for £1 at a second hand book sale. Might be more difficult to get hold of for you, but I see that there are some copies on Amazon available:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...&condition=all

 

Here is how I started.

I got a two books. One was the Hayes manual for my car. Lots of people don't like them but for a beginner, it shows basic step by step instructions of how to do a lot of repairs. The second was "how to rebuild my chevy small block."

After reading through those, getting some basic tools, I started little projects here and there. This forum was a bigger help than any other book I have come across. Unlike some forums, this one have VERY smart guys that enjoy sharing their know how. I have since changed a cam, completed a engine and transmission change, total brake system, wire harnesses, carpet, seats, gas tank, and more. Of course, this is over the last 12 years. Bottom line is start with the basics, ask questions, no matter how stupid you think they are, and enjoy yourself.

 

over the years i have told a lot of people

"wrenching is a lot like sex...you can read about it,think about,talk about and watch it............but there is no substitute for doing it"

 

 

Look around some of your local shops, good ones, mostly smaller ones, and ask if you can work for free to learn. If you ask enough places you'll find one who will like the extra hand.
Many years ago, That's how I got into the auto motive machine business. Lots of free hours, but lots of experience. No different than working of the cost of a school.
Expect to get the crap jobs at first until you earn your way into more complex things. I did it after work during the week and on weekends, when the wife didn't have other stuff for me to do.
In time you'll be given jobs to do on your own, once they have faith in your work.
Not for everyone, just a thought.

 

You already own a car so I would start by doing whatever maintenance it requires yourself. As mentioned previously, oil changes are not "sexy" but are required to keep your DD alive, and picking up the tools required for that single job should be attainable for anyone who has steady employment. Back when I was very young, very inexperienced and very broke I made deals with friends and family members to do basic repairs to their cars in exchange for the tooling required to perform the repair. I got a basic toolbox and excellent experience, they got a fixed car for cheap. Start small and branch out as your confidence increases.

 

Its been a while, but I have changed oil in a few cars, lawn mowers, and tractors. But it is difficult for me to teach myself with my own car or relatives. My current car doesn't have any issues (runs great since I bought it in 2009, knock on wood) and all family members are about 12 hours away (I just moved here a few months ago), so I can't even use my dad's garage for experimenting.

This is why I have branched out to see if someone who is doing it for a hobby around here would be willing to teach. It actually surprises me with all the comments on this forum on how much work these cars need that someone wouldn't welcome the help. I love teaching people things, I jump at ever opportunity, but unfortunately because of circumstances, lack of a place to practice and experiment, and lack of an item to experiment on...I need someone to throw me a bone. haha.

 

As mentioned, community collage has some good programs, and good getting with a car club, with some knowledgable hands on guys, that let you particapate in some of their work, and get your hands dirty. A very big part is electrical, and an even bigger part, is jumping in, and just doing it. Mistakes will happen, but thats part of learning. I have no formal training, but have always been a natural with electrical, and always been the first to take charge of projects, starting with do my friends cars, and teaching them what I just learned. Then there's the tools, and you'll be needing lot's of those. I now have and engine picker, stand, and lift in my garage, among other things, and build my own engines from the bare block up. Lot's of books too, as you can never have to much information. This all came over lot's of years, but can not stess enough on just taking charge, and having the gut's to do it.

 

I went to a great college here in NH 15 years ago. They taught us how to work on all cars, new and old. Most of the time we worked on our own cars during the hands-on shop sessions. I rebuild the rear diff, TH350 and built a new 350 engine then installed in into my '81 Z28. I also rebuilt the front suspension in my K5 Blazer. And helped all my friends work on their cars as well. School was always fun. I work on new cars now, but it was great learning on my old Camaro.

Too bad you can't find something like that where you are.

 

Any oval,drag or road course race teams in your area?They are always looking for volunteer help(some may even throw some cash your way) and are a great place to learn if you don't mind a little hard work.Attitude and enthusiasm are just as valuable as technical knowledge to most of these teams,you will have to give up an evening or two during the week as well as raceday,but you will learn a lot,get to travel a bit and meet some of the most intense and interesting people you will ever find.

 

Buy an old piece of junk poorly running car like an old, Honda or pontiac, subaru whatever. Just make it in the $500 range or so .Try to get one that is carburated in the middle 70's to early 80's. Four cylinder engines will be a lot easier to work on due to access to components under the hood. Then buy the Hanes manual for that car. Then fix it up and get it running good. Fix the brakes, suspension and other chassis related stuff. You don't need a garage, just a place to park and work on it. I spent many of a hour under the hood fixing a junk car and that is how I learned. Never have had a class in auto mechanics just learned from doing and reading the manual. You can even do a top end with the engine if you get real ambitious.

You could also get a junk lawnmower and rebuild the engine (briggs and stratton engine if you can find one) to get the basics of how internal engine works. Something up through the early 90's maybe will probably still have a serviceable carb on it after that there are many non serviceable carbs made. There are books on how to fix a lawnmower that are pretty straight forward.
Many of the tools needed are just screwdrivers, sockets SAE and metric- 3/8 drive ratchet, and a set of end wrenches. Maybe some needle nose pliers and regular pliers and a spark plug socket for your 3/8 drive ratchet. Then you can build from there as you need stuff.