BlueSmoke

Stemming from the other thread, I'm just interested to know how people got into building project cars etc, and how they learned?

Maybe we'll get some interesting replies and not just "I just decided to do stuff myself"

I reckon I'd quite like to embark upon something towards the back end of this year myself. Whether that will actually happen, we shall see!

Anonymous

I started out with simple jobs on the car, and as i got more familiar with things i took on harder jobs.

For me it was pretty much "neccessity is the mother of invention" as i was poor as fuck at uni and was running a car and also a motorbike i used to race, so if i didnt fix things myself, i would be racing that weekend, simple as that.

good motivator having no choice!

Graham S1

my ol man taught me the basics... servicing, brakes. Learnt the rest my self.

Currently teaching myself to weld, with a little guidance from a college tutor.

RichardPON

Was karting from the age of 10, so learnt how to do a few simple jobs....

The just mucked around with my Dad on various cars and it went from there.

GUZZLER

iTrader: (3)

when i was a toddler i used to 'help' my dad in his garage, i started riding moto-x bikes when i was about 5, i tinkered with them to start with then my cousin taught me a lot more about moto-x bikes & i started to maintain my own bike & could do most things to it by the time i was 11 years old. I worked on cars with my dad a lot in my teens & started maintaining & repairing other peoples moto-x bikes, i worked in a garage for a while when i left school, then worked as a moto-x technician for a year, then worked at a bodyshop for a year then bounced around loads of different jobs learning a bit more everywhere i went All this time i had been doing more & more involved jobs with my own cars aswell!

dave cos4x4

iTrader: (5)

pretty much the same as Chip.

started off with the small jos then just did the bigger jobs as they come along.

reshelled a few cars so can do most things on them now.

AlexF

I took the family lawn mower apart when I was 11

xr-stu

first memory of messing about with cars was helping my dad put a bigger engine (cant remember what) into his capri, after that i was obsessd with cars and taking stuff appart, he bought be a mk1 fiesta when i was about 10/11 and we messed about with that doing little bits on it, got it running and stuff, then he scrapped that. little while later we got a S3 lightweight landrover and we did a few bits on that, we started rebuilding it but he got rid as he needed the space. then after that i did minor stuff like servicing my mums car and putting stereo gear in it and shit.

then when i was just tutned 16 i bought a mk2 xr2 and did a few things to that, K+N, exhuast, changed the alternator and rewired part of the engine loom, the usual servicing and shit, then come mot time we found out it was rotten so i broke it for bits. after that i got a metro GTa with a duff headgasket, fixed that and sold it on. got a mk1 fiesta supersport and started a CVH conversion on that, new suspension, brakes, etc etc, full mechanical rebuild basiclly! learned to weld and did a bit of bodywork, and all before id even got my licence!

since then ive built my zetec xr2, dozens of engine swaps, built up a couple of CVHs, removed and stripped a cossie YB! worked in a garage for a few months fittng alarms, stereo gear, satnav, jap-uk spec conversions, servicing and repairs and a bit of work on this bosses racing minis.

done quite alot considering im only 19

Brookesy

I learnt when i was about 7 used to sit and watch my old man working on his vans and he used to get me to pass him tools.

Left school and eventually got onto a myself on a YTS working at a garage and going to college 1 day a week for 4 years. So i was a trained light and heavy vehicles mechanic.

Learnt a fair bit working at the garage including panel beating, spraying, welding

Anonymous

And he is almost finished putting it back together, they filmed some of the indiana jones film scenes in his back garden

Anonymous

Dont forget helping to build a dodgy mid engined nova mate

xr-stu

oh yeah how can i forget that!

that exhuast man

xr_craig

iTrader: (2)

I used to watch my dad, my grandad and my uncle all the time when i was little. Started to help when i got a bit older. After that i basically learnt myself, with help from dad occasionally.

Got my sierra at 16, did the head gasket just by figuring it out as i went then did all the other stuff the same way too.

Got a job in a parts department, but was always helping the mechanics too lol. Also used to fit a few bits and pieces on customers cars.

Now work in a bodyshop so learnt how to paint too. Still learning how to weld/panel beat properly though.

Now done engine swaps and all sorts. And i'm only 20.

tank1987

start helping uncle on his cossie at young age, after that help out on other peoples car. started doing up my first car at age of 16 for when i passed my test picked up bits and bobs on the way and just do all my own work now.

JezSierra

i went emtec college in notts

BlueSmoke

Hmm.... interesting. I used to build BMXs as a kid, so how have I never moved on?

Only stuff I've done is taking a few bumpers off, changing wheels, think I did some brake pads once, changed some rear shocks, a clutch cable, spark plugs, battery, also had the angle grinder to some doors on a Golf and then used filler on them.

I feel like mechanically, fitting or swapping stuff over is just a matter of following instructions if it's not instantly clear, albeit with the inevitable complications that ALWAYS seem to pop up, especially on stuff that you think should be a straightforward job!

Haven't a clue about removing an engine, rebuilding etc. though. And how the hell do people who only use a jack and axle stands for getting under a car manage to change gearboxes?

I think I just need to get something at the back end of the year and take it from there.

AlexF

no it went back together that afternoon... but it never ran again LOL!!

I got given my own ride on lawn mower to disect after that LOL

then a car when that died too!!

makaveli662

Always loved cars, learnt a lot from readin then a ford mechanic moved in next door with a rs turbo got talkin and fell in love with fords (was in2 novas beforehand) so bought meself a cheap erst and rebuilt it from bare shell with a considerable bit ov help current project is sprayin, when somat needs doin i ave a go if i fuck it up then try again

Rene

PMSL! quality reply!



did some minor things etc then blew up the cossy engine and had to do most of the stuff meself etc

James-W

jay,
i used to be into bmx's building them, then i got into cars fucking about in xr2's, rebuilding them and doing engine swaps, i'm not very clue'd up about cars in general but i can work on them.

i starting at a very young age watching my dad and helping him in the garage then got more involved.

richm

me and my mate built a go-kart when we were 10, using a BSA Bantam engine that cost us a quid We built it from scratch using a book from the library as a guide. His old chap was the local blacksmith so that sorted the welding for us, we cut metal and pointed to where it needed joining LOL .
Bought my first car, MK1 escort, for Ł50 and needed engine rebuilding to start with, so bought the haynes manual and sorted out everything from there - just about had everything apart at some stage before it was ready for the road. It took me a couple more years to get brave enough to empty a gearbox on the floor, but didn't need much persuading

escortrsmatt

iv just finished doing a 3 year apprenticeship at bmw,considering when i first started i didnt even have a clue how to change a bulb on a car i think i have progressed quite considerably!!qualified as a service technician about a year ago and then qualified as a technician in Novermber last year.get to do some really interesting and in depth jobs at work and that really helps with knowledge and understanding!!some more recent knowledge i have gained from alex cheers!!lol only really been playing around with my own cars for about 2 years now but have just finished rebuilding the engine in my cossie pleased to say that all went well!

shane

Like most lads i had my bike in pieces every weekend and when i bought a r5 turbo at 17 i couldnt afford to keep paying to have it fixed so had to do it myself then i realised i really enjoyed doin my own work so when my RS started to look a bit tatty decided it was time for a full resto and 2.1!and maybe 1 day il finish it Next im gona learn to weld! s i wanna do as much of the work myself as poss!

SPADGE

Spent 15 years as a car dealer and got fed-up with paying out for shonky repairs! Decided i could do them better and cheaper and so just got on with it. Fiddling with cars isn't exactly rocket science its just a matter of having a 'logical/practical' brain and a bit of savvy

Graceland

What I learn't about engines and building them etc etc is from having a go.

But first, I read a VERY good book about tuning engines the old fashioned way - by the one and only David Vizzard - top reads are his books




Craig - how much have you learn't from watching me working on your car?

James-W

Eagle

iTrader: (2)

asked my mechanic ...can you change this for me .. he said yeah next week unless you want to do it yourself now ...

so thought oh well ... best i crack on then...

xr_craig

iTrader: (2)

Paul - mostly just how to do stupid butfun things that are likely to result in me needing a new engine.

Oh that and the fact that if you do it i don't have to

Xindi

Started working on cars when I was 10,helping my Late Dad change a clutch in a MK 3 Cortina and our Viva and it went on from there. Turned 17 (many moons ago) bro had a knackered 1.0L nova that he gave me,rebuilt the engine in that,when I was 18 bought my very first car (that I still own 14 years on) a 1985 1.6 Laser Capri. Did all my own servicing on that,put some ICE in it.
Also rebuilt the engine in another 1.6 Laser Capri,fast road clutch,stage 1 head, cam etc. Worked on other folks cars,did a conversion on a 3.0ltr Capri from manual to auto. Now building after a few years of it just sitting in the workshop and getting the bits, a Cossie Capri (only taken me 11 years to build it ) And after that,got a 2.0ltr Focus lined up to rebuild...so busy for the next few years

Graceland

I think you best re-phrase that sonny

GARETH T

taking things appart and putting them back together isnt the hard bit! taking things appart and know what too look for,, and knowing the right way too put things back together is!

i find understanding all the mechanics of something helps when rebuildings objects!

btw,, ive always been into electrical mechanical engineering! then i got an apprenticeship when i was 16! it was an electrical mechanical apprenticeship so it gave me alot of knewledge to tackle jobs!

spenner

F*CKED UP PUSHBIKES THEN TURNED MY HAND TO FIZZERS F*CKED A FEW OF THEM UP AS WELL GOT MY FIRST CAR MK2 CORTINA DID A LOVELY JOB OF PAINTING PARTS ON THE ENGINE THEN DROPPED A PIECE INTO THE CARBURETTOR WHEN IT WAS RUNNING AND F*CKED THE ENGINE IN THAT AS WELL, PRETTY MUCH A SLIPPERRY SLOPE DOWNWARDS FROM THERE AS THE CARS GOT MORE EXPENSIVE SO IVE GONE BACK TO F*CKING UP THE KIDS PUSHBIKES THERES A PATTERN OCCURING HERE PERHAPS I SHOULD LEAVE THINGS ALONE

GARETH T

spenner

Adam_BlackRS

Grandad has always been a mechanic, i learnt alot from him, helping him etc etc then started on mine and familes cars..... Hands on learning is the best

biglee

my dad has worked at fords for 30+years so you can guess what sort of motors he has had through the years including a 500, lol

my memorys of learning was helping him change a 2.0 cortina to a 3.0 essex jobbie, i must have been about 8 or 9.....and so it went on ...i was always in the garage with my dad buliding engines or somthing to do with cars....all my mates at school thought i was mad spending all my time gettin mucky......oh well

THANKS DAD...... i owe you one...lol

BlueSmoke

I'm gonna look into a project for deffo, cause you guys have really got me going

Need to get me a couple of good books int he mean time, including a yb rebuild manual

Any recommendations?

gurnE

3 years at college from 16, 7 years working as a mechanic (cars & bikes) before I realised it was a shit way to earn a living