Project vehicle? Learning mechanics...

Steve g. · 04-02-2009, 11:50 AM

Hey guys, I am very interested in learning mechanics, I don't know to much about it now. What is the best way to learn about mechanics? Should I get a project vehicle that needs work and just start tearing it apart (with your guys advice of course) and fix anything that's wrong with it? If so what type of vehicle would you recommend (ie diesel vs gas, 150 vs 350)... it's going to be a pickup truck either way.

Should I try to get a good book that teaches about mechanics? (any suggestions?)

Should I try to work with a mechanic in his shop?

Going for a job interview today (might start full time electrical work) so I don't have alot of time to spend on it (I also have to do school at nights if I get the job) so maybe I should just drop the whole thing and buy a lawn tractor or something...

I'm only 16 and I already have a part time job so maybe it's not the best thing to do right right now. Anyway, i'm looking forward to your responses.

Thanks, Steve

btw, my dad already has a Ford ranger & 250... maybe I should just attempt to fix those when they break down???

75K30 · 04-02-2009, 01:43 PM

I applaud you enthusiastic approach to this, but be careful not to get too far over your head. maybe leave the running vehicles alone for a little while until you have some notches in your belt.
For a beginner, you might try a small engine first? Can you ride a motorcycle? Perhaps a dirt bike will be the easiest and most cost effective approach. Many of the same principles and practices are the same, and you will get an inderstanding for a basic engine, and its related components, plus, you wont have to break the bank as you learn. Believe me that same amount of satisfaction will be there when you kick a two stroke over and it fires up. Yup, small engines might be where I would start. Not to mention, that you get to ride the dirt bike when it is running. Break it, and fix it. Depending on the bike, you might keep yourself pretty busy.
Dont break any bones though, be careful.

Steve g. · 04-02-2009, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75K30

I applaud you enthusiastic approach to this, but be careful not to get too far over your head. maybe leave the running vehicles alone for a little while until you have some notches in your belt.
For a beginner, you might try a small engine first? Can you ride a motorcycle? Perhaps a dirt bike will be the easiest and most cost effective approach. Many of the same principles and practices are the same, and you will get an inderstanding for a basic engine, and its related components, plus, you wont have to break the bank as you learn. Believe me that same amount of satisfaction will be there when you kick a two stroke over and it fires up. Yup, small engines might be where I would start. Not to mention, that you get to ride the dirt bike when it is running. Break it, and fix it. Depending on the bike, you might keep yourself pretty busy.
Dont break any bones though, be careful.

I've been in over my head since I was 13 so that's nothing new... I think i'd like to start on small engines also, I got the job so that means i'll be working 25hrs a week and finishing up another year of high school after this one. On top of that i'm building a log cabin from scratch with my dad. idk how much time i'll have to spend on it but i think i'd like to start on a small engine or something.
Does anyone know of a good book to read about this subject?

75K30 · 04-02-2009, 04:14 PM

How about your school? Is there not an auto shop that you can take?

Steve g. · 04-02-2009, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 75K30

How about your school? Is there not an auto shop that you can take?

I'm home schooled

bradrhale · 04-02-2009, 07:28 PM

i have found reading various stuff learns anyone alot. when i wonder about something, i often look it up on the internet or different books. there are alot of books in my shelf from engine building tips, high performance stuff and even a repair manual for american made cars manufactured in 1971. learn about it and then go out and tinker with the stuff. hands on has always been a must for me but for me to understand it, i have to familiarize myself a little beforehand.
stick around here and read through the threads as they come in. youd be surprised at all the stuff one can learn from everyone here.

batty1214 · 04-02-2009, 09:20 PM

I have done alot of reading on line about mechanics, and I spend ALOT of time still reading service manuals on alot of the stuff that I work on....but, I also found an old junker in highschool, and did general maintanance on it to get it running... started with the easy stuff, and slowly got into it deeper. and now, I made the mistake of doing my hobby for work....now It's all I do....

tjzz4 · 04-03-2009, 04:57 AM

2 questions....
Are you happy?
Do you enjoy your job?
If you can answer yes to 1 or both you are way ahead of the game...

leolkfrm · 04-03-2009, 05:22 AM

I would look for a class at a local vocational school(BOCES), they may have a 1 or 2 day a week class you can take around your home school nights

Steve g. · 04-03-2009, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjzz4

2 questions....
Are you happy?
Do you enjoy your job?
If you can answer yes to 1 or both you are way ahead of the game...

I'm very happy, but that's mainly due to the fact that i'm a christian, not because of a job or anything.

idk if I enjoy my job yet... I start on monday, so i'll see then

The way I am, I love building things, I built oak cabinets when I was 13, I produced 4 major video series for our church when I was 13-16, I taught myself how to weld when I was 15, I built a computer when I was 15, I built a bathroom this past year (plumbing, electric, walls etc...), I installed a dishwasher this past year.
So basically the next thing for me to learn is mechanics, I don't like not knowing about these types of things.

04-02-2009, 11:50 AM	#1
Steve g. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 245	Project vehicle? Learning mechanics... Hey guys, I am very interested in learning mechanics, I don't know to much about it now. What is the best way to learn about mechanics? Should I get a project vehicle that needs work and just start tearing it apart (with your guys advice of course) and fix anything that's wrong with it? If so what type of vehicle would you recommend (ie diesel vs gas, 150 vs 350)... it's going to be a pickup truck either way. Should I try to get a good book that teaches about mechanics? (any suggestions?) Should I try to work with a mechanic in his shop? Going for a job interview today (might start full time electrical work) so I don't have alot of time to spend on it (I also have to do school at nights if I get the job) so maybe I should just drop the whole thing and buy a lawn tractor or something... I'm only 16 and I already have a part time job so maybe it's not the best thing to do right right now. Anyway, i'm looking forward to your responses. Thanks, Steve btw, my dad already has a Ford ranger & 250... maybe I should just attempt to fix those when they break down???

04-03-2009, 05:22 AM	#9
leolkfrm Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: N.Y. Posts: 4,892	I would look for a class at a local vocational school(BOCES), they may have a 1 or 2 day a week class you can take around your home school nights __________________ 4 wheels move the body 2 wheels move the soul B.W.A.I

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04-02-2009, 01:43 PM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,299	I applaud you enthusiastic approach to this, but be careful not to get too far over your head. maybe leave the running vehicles alone for a little while until you have some notches in your belt. For a beginner, you might try a small engine first? Can you ride a motorcycle? Perhaps a dirt bike will be the easiest and most cost effective approach. Many of the same principles and practices are the same, and you will get an inderstanding for a basic engine, and its related components, plus, you wont have to break the bank as you learn. Believe me that same amount of satisfaction will be there when you kick a two stroke over and it fires up. Yup, small engines might be where I would start. Not to mention, that you get to ride the dirt bike when it is running. Break it, and fix it. Depending on the bike, you might keep yourself pretty busy. Dont break any bones though, be careful.

04-02-2009, 04:14 PM	#4
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 3,299	How about your school? Is there not an auto shop that you can take?

04-02-2009, 07:28 PM	#6
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 9,500	i have found reading various stuff learns anyone alot. when i wonder about something, i often look it up on the internet or different books. there are alot of books in my shelf from engine building tips, high performance stuff and even a repair manual for american made cars manufactured in 1971. learn about it and then go out and tinker with the stuff. hands on has always been a must for me but for me to understand it, i have to familiarize myself a little beforehand. stick around here and read through the threads as they come in. youd be surprised at all the stuff one can learn from everyone here.

04-02-2009, 09:20 PM	#7
batty1214 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Vernal Utah Posts: 1,276	I have done alot of reading on line about mechanics, and I spend ALOT of time still reading service manuals on alot of the stuff that I work on....but, I also found an old junker in highschool, and did general maintanance on it to get it running... started with the easy stuff, and slowly got into it deeper. and now, I made the mistake of doing my hobby for work....now It's all I do....

04-03-2009, 04:57 AM	#8
tjzz4 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 316	2 questions.... Are you happy? Do you enjoy your job? If you can answer yes to 1 or both you are way ahead of the game...