Where Did You Learn This From?
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 3,921
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From: York PA
Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (Kloppy80)
I tore my first matchbox car when I was 2, still can't figure out how I got that rivet out :lol: I was changing oil in my parent cars by the time I was 5. I read a lot, but nothing is as good as just doing it once (or twice sometimes :rolleyes: )
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
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St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (stickboy)
I make it all up !!
No, just kidding, well mostly kidding.
I have been around cars since I was about 3 or 4. Father did dirt track stock cars. Was with him in the garage all of the time.
When I got my own cars, I started doing and reading. Got to make them go faster.
The best source of information has been reading and then going out and doing it. Read about a cam swap in Car Craft -- went and did one. Read about performance suspension -- started pulling mine apart.
I also worked for a while at U-Haul pulling and installing motors in the Ford 19' trucks -- did not like the way they did their work at U-Haul and I quit.
NEVER RENT A TRUCK FROM U-HAUL for out of town trips !!! I know, I worked there. I know their policies on repair -- or more like not repairing.
Trial and error also plays in to it.
But mostly I make it all up :D:D:D:D:D
No, just kidding, well mostly kidding.
I have been around cars since I was about 3 or 4. Father did dirt track stock cars. Was with him in the garage all of the time.
When I got my own cars, I started doing and reading. Got to make them go faster.
The best source of information has been reading and then going out and doing it. Read about a cam swap in Car Craft -- went and did one. Read about performance suspension -- started pulling mine apart.
I also worked for a while at U-Haul pulling and installing motors in the Ford 19' trucks -- did not like the way they did their work at U-Haul and I quit.
NEVER RENT A TRUCK FROM U-HAUL for out of town trips !!! I know, I worked there. I know their policies on repair -- or more like not repairing.
Trial and error also plays in to it.
But mostly I make it all up :D:D:D:D:D
Racer
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
From: Denville NJ
Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (BSeery)
This forum is the best place for anything corvette related, I've learned so much about vettes and cars in general in the short time i've been around it.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (theandies)
Theandies - I'm an A&P too. I work on DC-8's (nightmare)
Unfortunatly, the airline I work for is laying off & my job's not looking too stable.
I'm also an ASE Certified technician - but it's strickly a hobby. Wrenching on a car with a beer is a good way to relax for me.
:cheers:
Utopia: a New Castle Ale, a Car Craft Magazine, and the wife & kid are at the store.
[Modified by 71coupe, 5:20 PM 9/6/2001]
Unfortunatly, the airline I work for is laying off & my job's not looking too stable.
I'm also an ASE Certified technician - but it's strickly a hobby. Wrenching on a car with a beer is a good way to relax for me.
:cheers:
Utopia: a New Castle Ale, a Car Craft Magazine, and the wife & kid are at the store.
[Modified by 71coupe, 5:20 PM 9/6/2001]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,001
Likes: 112
From: Saginaw Michigan
Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (Kloppy80)
I started by tuning and working on my dad's 57 F*RD Fairlane wagon (with a Thunderbird Special 312 V8.) But you know, when I started co-op with General Motors my dad traded the F*RD for a Chevrolet wagon. From then on, it was always GM with the emphasis on Chevrolet.
Since that time I have been an automotive engineer for 35 years in the steering business at GM and finally Delphi Steering Systems. So I have a lot of background knowledge on how and why the steering gear, linkage, pump, hoses, steering column, and flexible coupling work. I probably don't have as much hands-on experience as a lot of the Forum guys and gals. However, I also have a good collection of Chevrolet shop manuals, AIM books, and Saginaw Steering Gear service manuals.
If I can offer some advice. Before you dive into a project, post a note on the Forum asking what things to look out for. Along with our own words of wisdom, we can also direct you to a wealth of material that will make your job a whole lot easier.
Since that time I have been an automotive engineer for 35 years in the steering business at GM and finally Delphi Steering Systems. So I have a lot of background knowledge on how and why the steering gear, linkage, pump, hoses, steering column, and flexible coupling work. I probably don't have as much hands-on experience as a lot of the Forum guys and gals. However, I also have a good collection of Chevrolet shop manuals, AIM books, and Saginaw Steering Gear service manuals.
If I can offer some advice. Before you dive into a project, post a note on the Forum asking what things to look out for. Along with our own words of wisdom, we can also direct you to a wealth of material that will make your job a whole lot easier.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,367
Likes: 1,061
From: Virginia USA
Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (71coupe)
71coupe
I worked on C5,s in the AF talk about nightmares....I still wake up in a cold sweat dreaming about them. I have worked on everything from J3's up to 747's. Never worked on 8's though. My buddy in Fort Worth works for UPS and he hates the 8's. He is also a Vette owner, he has a 75 Convertible and his fourm name is Petty44 (Kyle Petty fan) Sorry to hear about your job. I know the feeling, I was laid off twice from America West!!!!! My company is laying off this week, I don't think I will get hit but you never know. I am looking for a job right now and if all else fails I may move to DEL and become partners in my brother-in-laws garage. My car experiance is like most others. I started out taking everything apart when I was a kid. I also had the knack of putting them back together and making them work.
John
I worked on C5,s in the AF talk about nightmares....I still wake up in a cold sweat dreaming about them. I have worked on everything from J3's up to 747's. Never worked on 8's though. My buddy in Fort Worth works for UPS and he hates the 8's. He is also a Vette owner, he has a 75 Convertible and his fourm name is Petty44 (Kyle Petty fan) Sorry to hear about your job. I know the feeling, I was laid off twice from America West!!!!! My company is laying off this week, I don't think I will get hit but you never know. I am looking for a job right now and if all else fails I may move to DEL and become partners in my brother-in-laws garage. My car experiance is like most others. I started out taking everything apart when I was a kid. I also had the knack of putting them back together and making them work.
John
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (theandies)
My dad used to own a repair shop so I learned a lot there. I also learn a lot here. But the way I really learn is to screw up in every way possible, then create a few more ways to screw up, then finally post a question on here and get it right. :D
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
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From: Lake Villa IL
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Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (Kloppy80)
You'll be a genius before you know it. Owning a Vette, you can't help but learn a lot. :yesnod:
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (L. Jackmin)
I'm an old gearhead. Prior to the forum I too used books and trial and error as tools. I'll take that over Mr. Goodwrench any day. :D
I can't play basketball anymore(knees), I can't run without pain and my knee popping, I don't like to bowl, I have a nasty slice on my drives and I quit smoking and drinking. That leaves me with my Vette as a distraction
and I don't regret it for a moment. It might be nice to hit a straight drive down the fairway but that can't compare to the amount of heads I turn with my '70.---and it's still "under construction"!
[Modified by 1970 Stingray, 5:28 AM 9/7/2001]
I can't play basketball anymore(knees), I can't run without pain and my knee popping, I don't like to bowl, I have a nasty slice on my drives and I quit smoking and drinking. That leaves me with my Vette as a distraction
and I don't regret it for a moment. It might be nice to hit a straight drive down the fairway but that can't compare to the amount of heads I turn with my '70.---and it's still "under construction"![Modified by 1970 Stingray, 5:28 AM 9/7/2001]
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Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (BSeery)
I make it all up !!
No, just kidding, well mostly kidding.
No, just kidding, well mostly kidding.
Actually, I started with a camshaft change and then a complete engine rebuild on my 1978 Z-28 that I had in high school 15 years ago. R&R'd the heads on both of my brothers' Escorts, fixed other stuff here and there as I needed to. I didn't have the money to pay for ths stuff to be done, so I had to learn how to do it myself. Now, anything that needs to be done is done by me unless it's something that is relatively inexpensive and the cost of the tools and/or the time involved isn't something I can justify vs. the cost of paying. The engineerign degree helped a bit too for knowing why and how stuff works (or doesn't).
Dave
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,429
Likes: 14
From: CA
Re: Where Did You Learn This From? ()
theandies - I never worked on any heavy military stuff. At times, DC-8's can be a real pain. It takes a few years to figure them out. They have alot of similarities with 'Vettes of the same era.:lol:
Good luck with your job situation
:seeya
Good luck with your job situation
:seeya
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 4,101
Likes: 10
From: NorCal
Re: Where Did You Learn This From? (Kloppy80)
Took a break from college in the early 70's, got a summer job in an independent shop that needed a gofer. It must have suited me as I have been fussin' with cars, boats, trucks, and recips ever since. Had some good times SCCA racin' as well. That bit about foreign cars as a lab rat is sure true! After dealing with E-types, Alfas and Renaults, a Corvette is nuthin! :D I have to admit though, those engines are sure cool. My favorite is the Alfa Romeo 2 liter twin cam.
Hans
Hans