Mechanical Skill Poll
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
When I can do my own tuning, I'll humbly call myself an expert. I can do whatever else needs done. I'm not saying I'm Gordon Killebrew on C4s, but all I've ever done is turn wrenches, both as a vocation and a hobby.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
Likes: 45
From: San Pedro CA
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid
When I can do my own tuning, I'll humbly call myself an expert. I can do whatever else needs done. I'm not saying I'm Gordon Killebrew on C4s, but all I've ever done is turn wrenches, both as a vocation and a hobby.
As far as my skill level... I am not a pro, tho... I do it as a hobby and a way to save a bundle of cash.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
I'm not a expert by any means. I don't mind trying to tackle some things and was raised by my father to do the work myself rather than take it somewhere...within reason. If I had the resources (equipment, shop, ect.) I would tackle just about anything. This is a hobby and getting to know your car is part of it.
Safety Car
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 3,651
Likes: 5
From: Atlantis
Cruise-In I Veteran
First of all, I'm not an expert on anything.
The more I learn the more I realize I don't know.
Concerning Corvettes, here's my 'Vette Resume'
I do it all from bumper cover to bumper cover, top to bottom and everything in between.
Engine, tranny, diff, brakes, suspension, tape deck/radio, ECM programming, keyless entry.
If it runs on electricity and breaks, I fix it.
If it's electronics, I fix it. If it needs bodywork/paint, I do it.
If it's worn I replace it. If it doesn't work correctly, I repair it.
Only two things I DON'T do.
1) Mount & balance my wheels/tires.
I've been thinking about getting a tire machine and a digital spin balancer, though.
2)Upholstery... No experience with that at all. Not planning on learning about it any time soon.
Once, about 35 years ago, I paid a guy 20 bucks to rebuild a carburetor on a 1968 Firebird 350, just to see what it felt like to pay somebody else to do it. Carb worked ok for years afterwards.
But it didn't feel all that good to pay somebody to do what I could have done myself. Made me feel kind of gulity.
Haven't paid anybody to fix anything for me since.
The more I learn the more I realize I don't know.
Concerning Corvettes, here's my 'Vette Resume'
I do it all from bumper cover to bumper cover, top to bottom and everything in between.
Engine, tranny, diff, brakes, suspension, tape deck/radio, ECM programming, keyless entry.
If it runs on electricity and breaks, I fix it.
If it's electronics, I fix it. If it needs bodywork/paint, I do it.
If it's worn I replace it. If it doesn't work correctly, I repair it.
Only two things I DON'T do.
1) Mount & balance my wheels/tires.
I've been thinking about getting a tire machine and a digital spin balancer, though.
2)Upholstery... No experience with that at all. Not planning on learning about it any time soon.
Once, about 35 years ago, I paid a guy 20 bucks to rebuild a carburetor on a 1968 Firebird 350, just to see what it felt like to pay somebody else to do it. Carb worked ok for years afterwards.
But it didn't feel all that good to pay somebody to do what I could have done myself. Made me feel kind of gulity.
Haven't paid anybody to fix anything for me since.
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Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,907
Likes: 731
From: Southwest Kansas
2022 Corvette of the Year Finalist -- Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
Certainly NOT a pro. Back in my younger days (30+ years ago) I turned wrenches alot. Once I got married and the kids started coming my hobbies changed....considerably. Now that we are empty nesters I bought the Vette and have begun again tinkering with cars (my Vette). I am beginning to get a bit more comfortable in my skills and am going to try doing some of those jobs I would not have hesitated to do 30 years ago.
The big difference now is all the computer controls...that baffles me sometimes, but by reading here on the forum I have learned a lot already and have begun to feel a little more comfortable in my skills.
The big difference now is all the computer controls...that baffles me sometimes, but by reading here on the forum I have learned a lot already and have begun to feel a little more comfortable in my skills.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 17,367
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
Originally Posted by Tommy T-Bone
How much mechanical ability do you have to work on your Corvette?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 5,214
Likes: 65
From: Queensland, AUSTRALIA
Originally Posted by toptechx6
Beyond "Expert" I'd suggest one higher ranking.... "Still Learning" , in my experience the very best always keep doing so.
If you stop learning, you stop moving forward. And if youre not moving forward with the rest of the world, youre moving backwards.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by toptechx6
Beyond "Expert" I'd suggest one higher ranking.... "Still Learning" , in my experience the very best always keep doing so.
It never stops, there's always more to know, more experience to gain. Whether it be these cars or mechanics in general, no one can or will ever know it all. That's why this collective of knowledge we have here is so valuable to us all.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,629
Likes: 28
From: FL
Originally Posted by AILERON
Still learning but, I figure if I can fix an airplane, I can fix this Vette.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
Originally Posted by Corvette Kid
When I can do my own tuning, I'll humbly call myself an expert. I can do whatever else needs done. I'm not saying I'm Gordon Killebrew on C4s, but all I've ever done is turn wrenches, both as a vocation and a hobby.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 6,715
Likes: 2
From: Santa Teresa New Mexico
I don't consider myself an "expert" at anything.
I would consider myself lucky.
It takes all of the tools, most of the time, and a whole lot of luck to pull off the "invisible repair" that most cutomers think that have a right to.
Lucky in so much as the cars are getting extremely difficult to repair and I don't have to do it anymore.
But best of all, I don't have to do it anymore.......................
Everyday is Saturday........por vida.
I would consider myself lucky.
It takes all of the tools, most of the time, and a whole lot of luck to pull off the "invisible repair" that most cutomers think that have a right to.
Lucky in so much as the cars are getting extremely difficult to repair and I don't have to do it anymore.
But best of all, I don't have to do it anymore.......................
Everyday is Saturday........por vida.