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Post by deanorn on Jan 20, 2016 12:08:20 GMT 1
Hi just signed up and was wondering if anyone could help.
when my grandad was alive he told me he taught himself how to fix cars basically taught himself to be a mechanic and he made a career out of it admittedly this was a hell of a long time ago back in the 40-50's etc.
my question is, as someone with no mechanical knowledge but with a growing interest would i be able to do something similar, my crazy plan was to buy an old old car and one of those haynes manuals and tinker about with it possibly strip it in my garage and reassemble it?
i know with newer cars they are a different kettle of fish with all the electronics etc but would i learn much from tinkering with older cars? or are newer cars just too different?
P.S sorry if i posted in the wrong section
all the best
dean
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Post by Joepublic on Jan 20, 2016 14:36:19 GMT 1
I'll be a tinkerer until the day I die.
What car were you thinking of stripping?
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Post by Noberator on Jan 20, 2016 15:09:53 GMT 1
I'll be a tinkerer until the day I die. You could lend him one or two.   Something old and simple Mini or that era would be my choice. Modern cars are getting to complex for the man in the street.  |
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Post by rhyds on Jan 20, 2016 15:19:11 GMT 1
Minis are stupidly expensive these days, so consider something like a a Metro or early fiesta/corsa
Also, see if your local college has any basic car maintenance courses on, you'll get a basic grounding with one of those
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huffo
Tea Maker
Posts: 238
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Post by huffo on Jan 20, 2016 18:28:13 GMT 1
An old Land-Rover is simple enough to learn to tinker on. Parts are cheap. And they are robust, fun and useful to have about.
A Series 3 (1972-1983) will be cheapest (older ones are 'classics').
Of course, I'm biased...
Oh, and join an owners club for whatever marque you opt for!
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Post by Karl on Jan 20, 2016 20:39:10 GMT 1
Hello and welcome
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dave
Tea Maker
Posts: 702 
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Post by dave on Jan 20, 2016 20:56:57 GMT 1
A basic knowledge of 4 stroke principle
And understanding of what function a part has and how it does its job
Will see you thru most mechanical jobs
But most importantly if it's what you want to do don't hesitate
And if you do get stuck
You can always turn here for help
You will see there will always be plenty of people willing to empart their wisdom
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Post by Rhubarb on Jan 20, 2016 21:02:14 GMT 1
Hi and welcome  Your best bet would be to buy something like an old Fiesta to work on.. Something in the era of 1995 - 2001. And like already suggested, maybe an evening class to get you started. |
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Post by rhyds on Jan 20, 2016 21:41:39 GMT 1
The problem with an old Land Rover is that everything will be big, heavy and seized. As Rhubby suggests a 95-01 Fiesta is a good starting point as its mechanically very simple, but gives a good insight in to contemporary car mechanics.
Also, grab a copy of car mechanics magazine and have a nose.
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Post by Noberator on Jan 20, 2016 22:07:10 GMT 1
The problem with an old Land Rover is that everything will be big, heavy and seized. As Rhubby suggests a 95-01 Fiesta is a good starting point as its mechanically very simple, but gives a good insight in to contemporary car mechanics. Also, Or do what Karl B does read it in Tesco's whilst the Mrs is shopping.   |
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Post by deanorn on Jan 21, 2016 17:38:23 GMT 1
Hi and welcome Your best bet would be to buy something like an old Fiesta to work on.. Something in the era of 1995 - 2001. And like already suggested, maybe an evening class to get you started. ye i had a look at courses defo gonna go on one, so you suggest an old fiesta? how about something like old an old corsa would that be the same principle? nice and simple? |
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Post by Rhubarb on Jan 21, 2016 19:35:59 GMT 1
Hi and welcome Your best bet would be to buy something like an old Fiesta to work on.. Something in the era of 1995 - 2001. And like already suggested, maybe an evening class to get you started. ye i had a look at courses defo gonna go on one, so you suggest an old fiesta? how about something like old an old corsa would that be the same principle? nice and simple? Yes an old Corsa will be just as good to learn on. You should be able to pick something up for about a £100 |
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french crap fanatic
Apprentice
french car specialist based in dagenham east london
Posts: 3,355
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Post by french crap fanatic on Jan 21, 2016 22:34:02 GMT 1
I'll be a tinkerer until the day I die. You could lend him one or two. Something old and simple Mini or that era would be my choice. Modern cars are getting to complex for the mechanic in the garage workshop! Got to agree with you there mate! |
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Post by Noberator on Jan 21, 2016 23:04:14 GMT 1
You could lend him one or two. Something old and simple Mini or that era would be my choice. Modern cars are getting to complex for the mechanic in the garage workshop! Got to agree with you there mate! Now I'm not having a pop at anybody who works for a garage whether it be an Independant self employed or Main Dealer but times have changed and IMO a lot of the old diagnostics skills are being lost due to so much dependance on fault finding with plugging it in with a scanner. Finding the problem when complex automotive systems go wrong is easy is it not? YES/NO. If you have the necessary knowledge it is. Now we all know this comes with experience and have an understanding of the system in which the problem exists and the ability to apply a logical diagnostic routine. Now call me old school (because I am) and I've mentioned this before and to me it's not a weakness to some it is but know your own limitations it is not possible to be good at everything. If you don't know ask for help is a diificult skill in itself also one of the most important for reasons mentioned above. I'll shut up now and throw it open to the Forum for discussion. |
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