Where, How, What to Learn About Mechanics [Merged 4-9] rebuild work

[MrPikolo]

I was wondering, where did you guys whom rebuilt your engines learn how to rebuild one?

 

[candela]

gatewaycommunity college and practice.... however if you want to learn go under the wing of someone you trust, if they know what they are doing and have the know how and want to teach you then theres no better way.

 

[Aikouka]

My dad, who's been working on all sorts of cars (VW, Volvo, Renault) ever since I can remember, helped (is helping ) me rebuild mine.

Without him I'd be doing dumb things like buying all the gaskets seperately instead of buying a set ... or listening to the book instead of looking at the car ('cause the book has been wrong on a number of occasions) .

 

[leet]

I learned at work, I have 8 engines there the size of a DSM, they weigh 21k pounds each. Rebuilding them is fun!

 

[1gE.T.]

My dad. And taking apart a couple old galant engines.

 

[16g_talon43]

many of the people on this site are amazing. It seems like they know engines and turbos inside and out. i know most of you guys arent professional auto mechanics, so how do you do it ? im only 16 and ive been sudying cars since i was 12 ( ive loved them forever) but i just dont understand how you guys know so much. Are there any websites or books that really go into detail about engine and turbo parts and what they do, or any links to good info? (other than 1000 already answered dsm quesions) thanks guys

 

[LAZPNO]

For DSMs, VFAQ.com. Part reviews are also good. Best thing i've ever done to learn anything about a part, is to just take it apart. Research things. Find someone who is willing to "take you under their wing" and doesn't get mad when you ask them what they think to be "newbie" questions. Information is out there, you just have to look for it.

 

[Defiant]

I started in '71 with a VW bug, then got a Sprite. And I was interested- I used to comb the used book shops for all the technical books I could find. I didn't work in a shop until '84, but I'd been building engines since that Sprite. Some of it you can't do anything about -I have friends who _cannot_ replace a headlight, because they just don't see what screws hold the retainer. But if you have the ability to look at something and comprehend why they did things that way, you can probably take it apart and put it back together. It just takes experience, and a willingness to suck it up if you ruin something. And raw time as the tricks and techniques come to you.

 

[ArticNemesis]

Read. A lot. This site, vfaq.com, 1000q's. Get a DSM manual also.

I've read practically every thread in the problem diagnosis, and engine performance forums on this site. I was like you when I first came here. Since then, I can rebuild engines now, work with fiberglass. And I know more than I think is healthy about DSM's and the 4G63 motor.

Don't be afraid to ask questions here, (despite the flames that some may bring), There will be some who will provide useful and valuable information.

 

[chaye]

all that i learn has been by trial and error...
i only took one semester in high school of mechanincs.....i actually have learned alot ever since i rebuild my sixbolt and put it in my 95 GST..
all you need is the love and dedication for cars...
it should come naturally to you ...
good luck man and ask as many questions as you can...

 

[16g_talon43]

Originally posted by chaye

all you need is the love and dedication for cars...

haha well i definetly have that. ive had that for a long time.

 

[Megaman]

Originally posted by ArticNemesis
Read. A lot. This site, vfaq.com, 1000q's. Get a DSM manual also.

 

[BlueTalon95]

You can find a ton of great info here. Every problem or project I want to fix or do, I use the search for. I always find the info I'm looking for from the people on this site.

 

[slodsm]

My old man was a mechanic, I started getting hooked back in 92 on muscle cars and things like that. went to the marine corps in 95 and went to school to be a helicopter mechanic. Once you can work on those PITA's, a car is a lot easier as long as you have a manual and places like this to ask if you just don't understand something.

 

[dave99gst]

ive learned from the net, friends, local dsm'ers ---and dsm'ers from the other side of the world

 

[mavisky]

i've owned my dsm since the fall of 1998, and believe me i've taken apart almost every single part in it. that's how you learn, hands on experience.

 

[98RedGs]

I just started really having the guts to get into my car and take alot of stuff apart. Basically you will learn by having the courage to breakdown whatever it is your repairing, and also have the intelligence to admit that you broke something if you do.


Just search before you ask any questions because 99% of the time it's been asked on this site or is posted on vfaq.

Goodluck in your search for knowledge.

 

[TurBoGs-T]

Originally posted by 98RedGs
I just started really having the guts to get into my car and take alot of stuff apart. Basically you will learn by having the courage to breakdown whatever it is your repairing, and also have the intelligence to admit that you broke something if you do.

Same here. In the past i wouldnt lay a finger on my car i would always take it to a shop. Then i got brave one day and started takin stuff apart, and realized it's not as hard as i think. Knowing i could do some things myself made me search on here for things to do just cause i could.

 

[DSMWillyb]

READ. I've done so much of that, I don't want to even think about how much money I've spent on books & magazines, Thousands. Also working on your car will help a bunch... I don't trust anywhere to do the work on my car (atleast around here) - so I do it all. I've learned a lot that way... I think if you keep at it, you will learn a lot.

*OT - the other day a friend of a friend took a ride in my car, he said "Dang, your car's fast, do you have a 350 in it?" - I was like , you've gotta be kiddin me...

 

[Spln_Hrd]

www.howstuffworks.com has alot of good stuff on HOW STUFF WORKS they have turbos and differant engines and transmission stuff

read alot and DIG IN!

 

[TheTSiGuy]

Originally posted by DSMWillyb
READ. I've done so much of that, I don't want to even think about how much money I've spent on books & magazines, Thousands. Also working on your car will help a bunch... I don't trust anywhere to do the work on my car (atleast around here) - so I do it all. I've learned a lot that way... I think if you keep at it, you will learn a lot.

*OT - the other day a friend of a friend took a ride in my car, he said "Dang, your car's fast, do you have a 350 in it?" - I was like , you've gotta be kiddin me...

Is that the kind of stupidity that is bred in your worthless state? :laugh: j/k, except for the state part. Wyoming is one of those states you go "who gives a F%#" except for the grand tetons. they 0wn me.

 

[jrivard00]

Learning from hands on approach is definetly the way to go. You can't be afraid to rip things a part or you will never learn. Just remember to take your time and if something breaks, it can always be repaired. Sure, you will make mistakes...a lot of mistakes, but that is just the part of live and learn process. It is also maditory to have a manual by your side for reference at the very least so you know the torque values on components. Also the skills you learn can be applied to almost all vehicles out there and you will actually get to the point were you can tell what's wrong with a car just by the sound it makes.

 

[the_jester]

like everyone else said, there are two ways just read as much as possible about it then you gotta try it out for yourself. i started out with chevy smallblocks and just took what i could from that and applied it to straight fours.

 

[theTuner]

im 17, and i think i can say i know more then an everyday 17 year old... just do your own intalls / repairs yourself and you will learn yourself, and as you do them you can use tuners as a guide/new responses for help. You will eventually become Defiant :x

 

[jp171]

I learned the way a lot of DSM'ers learn: research. I read many tech threads on this site and others. Although I rarely post under tech forums, I read them pretty much whenever I get bored and absorb as much as I can. Hang out with car people, even if they're not DSM people. Even V8 meatheads and Honduh lemmings can teach you basic concepts that apply across the board to nearly any car. I grew up working on everything from air-cooled VW's to 60's Fords, so it came naturally. If you have friends who work on their cars, whether it be maintenance or modifications, just hang around, watch, and lend a hand. When you're with someone who's working on a car, ask how you can help. Most car guys are happy to teach a n00b. If you haven't joined your local chapter of Club DSM, join it. Once you join your local chapter of Club DSM, ask some of the guys (and girls) if you can tag along when they do an install, and watch and lend a hand any way you can.

Just my $.02