Tell us your technical skill level

[stioc]

Just wondering what everyones' skill level is here...

Mine's somewhere between Basic Maintenance and Full Maintenance - depending on the type of car.

NOTE: BTW, the poll is public so if you click on the poll results you can see who voted and for what category.

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[JasonK]

I personally have an awsome set of tools.... on occasion, I get pretty pissed of and throw one or two.

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

My Peripheral Ported RX-7 Engine Project

 

[trovato]

Hey, isn't that some guy named BanzaiMazda's project?

 

[kartracer55]

Im pretty much between basic and full, and my 6th grade math teacher always told me to round up haha. I think if you can do a tune up on some of the newer cars, you deserve and medal. Id say the WORST job was doing a timing belt and Water pump in an 01 sebring LXI... I wasnt doing all of it, I was switching off with my old man, because the job took aprox 12 hours... We had to hook up the engine hoist and undo the motor mounts so we could pull the engine a few inches to get to the water pump... what a ******* job. Doing plugs in the thing, which involve taking the runners, throttle body, MAF, etc off, is a pretty sucky job too.

I dont claim to be a pro mechanic, but Ive done a pretty decent amount of work considering my age... I mean, I was tempted to vote in the engine rebuild catagory because I helped my freind build his 350 stroker.

I started doing small engines(briggs, honda etc) ... I plan on entering the VICA/Skills USA contest this year for automotive service technology.

Jim

 

[mikeyr]

need another category...I do a lot of custom work but only to reproduce factory stuff that is no longer available, certainly do not play with FI or Turbos. But I do full on restorations, down the bare frame, on my current car that even involved making a new section of the frame and of course truing it up after that. 70+ year old cars did not have FI but I do it all on those old toys

 

[astroracer]

need another category...I do a lot of custom work but only to reproduce factory stuff that is no longer available, certainly do not play with FI or Turbos. But I do full on restorations, down the bare frame, on my current car that even involved making a new section of the frame and of course truing it up after that. 70+ year old cars did not have FI but I do it all on those old toys

Well mikey, I think that qualifies you for a full on fabrication badge... I do kinda the same thing but I make stuff that has never existed. Like the bumper on my truck and the custom chassis and suspension I am designing and building for my Bad Ast Astro van project. Plus I do my own body and paint work. The suspension and chassis design is a spin-off of my real world job but I guess the fabrication is a learned skill which is expanding my horizons.
My truck with pearl blue stealth flames...

The cradle build for my Astro van project...

 

[stioc]

Mike, sounds like you qualify for custom fabrication. I used force induction and suspension as common examples but if you cut, bend, weld metal on cars you do custom fabrication.

On the other hand, I have a welder and a bandsaw but I don't qualify as a custom fabricator

 

[Runum]

I've done all of the above at one time or another. Prefer driving them, though, to anything else. Here's an old scan from a past project.

 

[REFLEXX]

I've done mostly design / machining. But getting into fabrication (much easier tolerances!!!)

here's a little machine I built. It tests markers (maker parts / ink / nibs) for durability.


REFLEXX

 

[Fast Orange]

I'd put myself somewhere in the fabricators category.I've been around cars/machinery all of my life.My father had a garage/welding/machine shop from the end of WWII until his retirement in the early eightys,so I spent most of my off times from school in the shop with him.He started buying me tools and teaching me the trade around the time I turned 9,was welding at 14,built my first motor at about 16,and have continued working and learning ever since.
Currently I'm employed by an electrical contractor as a shop foreman.I get involved in everything from truck/equiptment maintenance and repair to custom fabrication for industrial machines to operating excavating machines to rigging to truck driving.In short,I get to play with all kinds of neat stuff and get paid for it.I love my job-

George

 

[mleichtle]

I'm a full maintenance, basically kept alot of junkers running way past there intended time. Although I did somewhat rebuild an ****** engine, a valve seat broke up and pulverized the pistons, but I had car quest press the seat and piston rods in.

Its when I do oil changes that I dump oil all over the floor cause I forget the plug.

Now that we can afford better cars I'm not doing as much full maintenance work, I guess thats not a bad thing.

 

[filthy_shovel]

I rate myself at the custom fabrication level. I am a certified machinist and welder. Also was a certified Car tech and worked at a Honda dealership for 7 years.

 

[krooser]

I've been working on old cars since they were new...

Started scrounging junkyards with my brother when I was about six. That's STILL my favorite past-time.

I dis-assembled my first engine (a Buick straight-8) when I was ten (1958)...It was in my brother's car, and it needed a valve job. He worked out of town so he left me directions. I needed help lifting that big head off of the block..I carried it to the engine shop in my red wagon. I got it all back together in a few days working after school.

The next project was a '58 Morris Minor...again a valve job for my brother.

My buddy and I bought a '56 Plymouth for $35.00 in '62...I was 14. It needed, guess what, a VALVE JOB(!)...fixed the motor, did some bondo body work, and sold it for $250.00.

Started working in a gas station, doing oil changes, brakes and exhaust work, when I was 15.

Started at a Chevy dealer when I was 18...went to GM Training Center for an 18 week Master Mechanic course a year later (pre-cursor to Mr. Goodwrench).

Since then I've done both drag racing and circle track...driving and building cars.

Spent six years as an auto racing promoter, announcer and PR guy.

In 1994, I got ASE-certified on a bet from the service manager in a Ford store where I worked as a salesman.

Since '72, I've spent about four million miles behing the windshield of a truck, full and part time, between other gigs.

For the last two years ,I've been accumulating tools and shop equipment hoping to do a little more fabrication work on my hot rods..and other poeple's, too.

 

[...dave]

i'm another one somewhere between basic and full... i've taken motors apart, but not put them back together (anybody need a cylinder head for a Cadillac 390? i've got six...), swapped transmissions and steering boxes, done freeze plugs and bodywork and a drum-to-disc conversion... but i make a lot of stuff up as i go along, and get in over my head a lot. i've fabricated little stuff here and there, brackets and linkage and such, but i figure everyone that works on old cars does that.

i need (and want) to learn more... the trial and error method sure does get expensive, tho.

...dave

 

[sid]

i am TRYING to do a lot, somehow i am always lucky and can fix almost everything, i dont know how i do that... at work am not so good with building stuff like when im home.. dont knwo why?

i have learnd tool&die maker ( 3,5year german certificate) than i started as a CMM-Programmer, thats what i do since 3 years now... sometimes i miss the "real" working, but he, i have my garage and a lot of things to do, so weekend is the time i get dirty

 

[stioc]

Wow guys, I'm pleasantly surprised. I didn't think we had that many guys here with such strong technical know how...we need to see more of your projects. I for one love watching progress on various projects. In fact, I scour the 'net by googling "project car update" etc

I needed help lifting that big head off of the block..I carried it to the engine shop in my red wagon. I got it all back together in a few days working after school.

I think we have a winner!

 

[krooser]

i'm another one somewhere between basic and full... i've taken motors apart, but not put them back together (anybody need a cylinder head for a Cadillac 390? i've got six...), swapped transmissions and steering boxes, done freeze plugs and bodywork and a drum-to-disc conversion... but i make a lot of stuff up as i go along, and get in over my head a lot. i've fabricated little stuff here and there, brackets and linkage and such, but i figure everyone that works on old cars does that.

i need (and want) to learn more... the trial and error method sure does get expensive, tho.

...dave

You can probably sell those heads on www.jalopyjournal.com just post an intro FIRST...on second thought, give me the info and I'll post it for you...those guys get riled up when a newbie signs in and starts sellng right away....

 

[krooser]

Wow guys, I'm pleasantly surprised. I didn't think we had that many guys here with such strong technical know how...we need to see more of your projects. I for one love watching progress on various projects. In fact, I scour the 'net by googling "project car update" etc



I think we have a winner!

My current moneypit.....

'56 F-100
MOPAR torsion-bar front suspension
6" inch chop
shortened wheelbase
GMC box
Blown 354 Hemi
Four speed
8 3/4" Sure-Grip rear

Being finished 60's style with DeSoto (or '54 Chevy) grille shaved door handles Corvair buckets, etc.....
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a385/krooser/bdad2811.jpg

 

[jonkav]

The only tool I have is a hammer, so everything I see is a nail.

 

[byrdman]

Well, I need to vote twice.

Once for my skill level with modern cars: I'm definetely in the basic tune-up range. With sensors for this and sensors for that, I can't troubleshoot anything. Hell, it takes me 2 hours to change the plugs on my 97 GrandPrix. I pay someone else to change the oil.

If it's a 40 year old Chevrolet, I'd register myself a little higher on the scale. Those cars were mechanical, I have a chance of figuring them out without OBD computers. I've actually got fairly limited experience, but I'm currently undertaking a body-off resto on a 1960 Impala anyway. I learn as I do. Tomorrow I'll be more of an expert than I was today. With a project like this, persistence, resourcefulness and patience are often just as important as "skill level".

 

[stioc]

Well said Byrdman.

I agree with you on the issue of too much electronics in the cars today. I wonder how these cars will age ? I prefer fuel injection over carbs but anything beyond that, in my humble opinon, is just too unnecessary and complicated from an enthusiast's and DIYer point of view.

Take for e.g. the new BMW 3 series (E90). The windshield wipers talk to the brake calipers. So when the calipers sense that the wipers are on, it lightly toughes the brake pads against the rotors to keep the pads dry and warmed up ready for use. This on top of traction control, ABS and stability control...what happened to the adventure and fun factor ?

So 10 yrs from today when cars like the new bimmer become more affordable for the rest of us I'm not sure how much we'd be able to fix/troubleshoot/modify them. Heck for my '04 accord if you forget to tighten the fuel cap the check engine light can only be reset by the dealer. The generic OBDII reader won't work

 

[sid]

he, what about a forum of current buildups? like russel i love to look at buildups, they dont have be the ones were everything is shiny, i also like the poormans buildups!!











or isit suposed to go in howto´s? i dont thingk that title fits

anyway, i have anonther buildup in the start, and i am rebuilding a scrap 2L dieselmotor that was called DEATH and i got for free, so where should i put that?

 

[stioc]

Hey Sid, what part of Germany are you from ?

Ich bin nach Deutschland vier mal, ich kann sprache wenig Deutsch aber ich kann verstehen fast nicht - meine wortschatz ist schlecht

 

[sid]

hi, i am from goeppingen, thats near stuttgart.
where have u been in germany?

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

My current project completely rebuild the boat and fix all the design screwups. I built a 468 blower motor for it, rebuilt the floor, rebuilt the transom repainted,powder coated and rerig. I did have the interior done. The project is on year three. Once it is done hope to build a car again.

 

[stioc]

I was pretty young (13/14) when I accompanied my dad on a couple of business trips. I've been to:

Goettingen, Darmstadt, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt...at least that's what I remember

I enjoyed the stay, I remember my job dropping when I saw so many Mercedes as Taxis. Kinda reminded me of my visit to Japan where the taxis were Toyota Crowns

 

[KCHOTBOAT]

hi, i am from goeppingen, thats near stuttgart.
where have u been in germany?

I was born in Munich. We use to take VWs up to a place near Stuttgart to have Porsche 5 speed tranmissions installed all the time.

 

[C_F]

I'd say 85% of my car knowledge has been self taught.
I can rebuild engines, manual transmissions, older automatics (700R4's still spank me), rear ends, steering gearboxes...I've done disc brake swaps, rewired burned-out wire looms, and a bunch of other stuff I can't remember.

I always do my own oil changes & tune-ups...in fact, the only time I ever farm out any work is when I buy new tires or have a 700R4 worked on.
I don't make great money, so that's one reason why I do it myself...but cars are also something that I just sort of understand, like I was born to do it or something.

I can honestly say that I'm definitely no carpenter! Although at age 41, I am slowly getting better.

 

[sid]

I was born in Munich. We use to take VWs up to a place near Stuttgart to have Porsche 5 speed tranmissions installed all the time.

wow, how did u get to the states?
they wont let me in

this year im gonna try the greencard lottery again, but i dont expect much from it..
i tried to get to the states with a companie, i wrote a lot resume´s, i even had in interview in switzerland from an american companie, but they are all scared off the high costs for the visa...

but someday i will make it!!

 

[krooser]

wow, how did u get to the states?
they wont let me in

this year im gonna try the greencard lottery again, but i dont expect much from it..
i tried to get to the states with a companie, i wrote a lot resume´s, i even had in interview in switzerland from an american companie, but they are all scared off the high costs for the visa...

but someday i will make it!!

Hell do what everybody else does....Go to Mexico then sneak across the border...

 

[sid]

yeah, there is just one problem... i want to work, and that wont happen without a visa

 

[REFLEXX]

Hell do what everybody else does....Go to Mexico then sneak across the border...

Sid,

let us clarify. Go to Mexico, get all the easily obtainable forged documents, then sneak across the border!

good luck in your task. My family came here in 1977 (from the USSR, not Mexico). Some of the best Americans are the ones who appreciate just how good we have it here.

later,

REFLEXX

 

[C_F]

Some of the best Americans are the ones who appreciate just how good we have it here.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[EdNJ]

I guess I'm an engine rebuilder/fabricator. I've built engines with upgraded internals,nitrous setups,turbo setups,some standalone EFI installation/tuning,used to screw around with carburators...and that's stuff on the side
My bill-paying job is being a tech for a luxury car manufacturer.

 

[jeepgod]

full on fabricator... havent done an engine in years.. but i'm sure i will again soon.. here is my mess now.. i started the 1/4 elliptical suspension on the rear of my jeep before deploying out here... so guess what i have waiting for me.. and only a few months to get it together before wheelin season..

 

[330Scott]

Hmmm, a few full on fabricators here. Who wants to build a full frame setup to replace the uni-body setup that is under an old Dodge of mine?

Seriously, between some major rust damage & the desire to build something different, I am wondering if a full frame Mopar might be the way to go. I'm not talking about just tieing the frame rails together, I'm talking about cutting the front & rear frame rails & suspension completely off the body and then lowering the body onto a new, custom frame. Maybe just a pipe dream though.

I can rebuild engines and do major work to the older cars & trucks, but my idea of fabrication is to cut a 2x4 to the desired length.

 

[avsfan733]

I can do the fab work, have done fab work, mostly design and machining though. I am not the worlds greatest welder but i have been working to ten thousandths of an inch since i was about 14 when we took our karting motors "in house" (aka in the basmenet shop) started doing all the required machining fitting and a lot of design work. Man i miss the shop at home. College is so much less fun they won't let me play with their cleanroom and mine is taken apart

 

[TOMWELDS]

I was always into auto mechanics. I do everything on my trucks, myself. Rebuild engines etc. I worked in a factory for 12 years and did control circuit design, machinist, drafting, brazing, painting. This led to me getting my electrical license and starting my own business 22 years ago. My welding got me involved in fabricating and with the mechanics, i got involved in bakery machinery repairs. I love the variety in the work..Lol..Never lose your interest to learn...it keeps you young.

 

[Baketech]

My trade is machine design & fabrication. I don't do cars anymore, (bikes now) but here is one from the past...