73-87chevytrucks.com
General Site Info => General Discussion => Topic started by: Thowell on June 08, 2008, 10:29:25 pm
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ok so im 18, i have a 1987 swb tbi 350. its decent and is a lil on the doggy side. and on top of that i have maintenence to keep up on the ol' girl and i would love to enjoy doing it but i dont know how. the father isnt in to it. and i have no where to turn to but myself and my mechanic. for example..
my driver side fuel pump went out and i had to get it fixed so i saved some cash, drove the pops shaggin wagon (1986 ltd wagon). i bought all the parts with the help of a friend/ mechanic who knows his stuff and had it all in my cab. i could have busted right into it and made a mess of it and screw things up bad. so pretty much im afraid to tear into it when its time to fix and assemble i mess it up bad. then im up a creek without a paddle.
so now i ask you guys to give suggestions and maybe tips where to learn and when to know to tear into it or just leave it for my performance mechanic.
the latest is that i have bought a 3.73 motive gear and the bearing kit. and i want to install it but i havnt a clue on what to do.
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I'm no expert by any shade of the imagination but I've been working on my own stuff for quite a few years...not just this truck but all of my vehicles. I just can't stomach paying the obnoxious labor rates charged by some guys...that and I've yet to find someone I trust not to screw with me. For instance, I had a passenger wheel bearing go out on me on my '85 K10. I couldn't even get a quote over the phone, everyone said bring it in and they'd see what they could do. Instead, I hit the local junkyards, purchased a new axel (splines on mine got tore up pretty good) and locking hub (I'd just changed out the auto hubs a couple months earlier and tried to save time by not checking the wheel bearings then...not a wise choice!). Purchased some other parts at Autozone along with a torque wrench and the giant socket (can't think of the name of it right now) required to pull the hub. Anyway, less than 300 bucks and two days later it was back on the road; I did the work following a Haynes manual and the truck was sitting on a pile of roofing shingles loaned to me by my brother in law since I didn't have jack stands! Also, on the same truck, took it in for a brake job since I was heading out of town. I knew the front pads went metal to metal and tore up the rotors (I was stupid by neglecting them). Shop told me all four wheels were metal to metal and wanted 700 bucks to do the job. I bought all the parts and did it myself when I got back from my trip...less than 200 bucks and an afternoon. Yet again, followed the manual and just dove into it. And when I pulled the rear wheels and drums, i discovered that the rear brakes still had close to 80 percent of the lining still on! Had I let the shop do it, I'd have wasted that money.
I say buy yourself a Chilton's or Haynes (I prefer Haynes), take your time, and tear into it. For the major stuff, if you don't feel comfortable tackling it, try to find some help or maybe your mechanic can give you some pointers over the phone.
My 2 cents....
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Kiddo, I was in your shoes a few years ago. I knew nothing but I was eager and wanted to learn. I took auto mechanics every chance I got in high school. My senior year I landed a job behind a parts counter (Autozone). There I kept my "ears open" and gathered every bit of information I could for different things. I researched the internet (still do!) for help with stuff and read up in magazines (4wheel & offroad, offroad, etc.). Your best bet starting off is to befriend an 'old timer' (if this is you, sorry... ;D) and ask questions, never hesitate to figure out things. Start off with small projects on your own and go from there. Save up your cash and invest it wisely in a good set of tools for starters! I'm a craftsman fan. They are affordable and I have had good luck with their stuff. Id say start off with a small set of tools (sockets and wrenches -standard and metric-, some screwdrivers, and a hammer [never go wrong with a good hammer!]) and a toolbox (lockable preferably). Then Id get a Haynes and a Chilton manual. Before you tackle any project, check out this website for advice or any gremlins that showed themselves for other people, study up on it in both manuals, then try it. I wouldnt advice you to tear rear end apart tomorrow afternoon and swap gears as there are some important details associated with that (tolerances, gear contact pattern, etc.). But like I said, dont ever, ever, ever hesitate to ask a question. That question could save you $100, $1500, $2000 worth of damage or it could even save your life. Only way to learn is to study, experiment, and ask questions!
If there is any way that I can lend ya a hand, send me a message, always willing to help! That goes to anyone else out there. Chances are I have probably broken it, seen one broken, or know someone who has broken it.
Gardner
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Cracker0169 said it best. Good tools, a couple of manuals, and the guys on this website.We all started somewhere, and the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask. :D
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My old man knew nothing about cars either. I learned all of what I knew in the early years by reading Hot rod, & fourwheel and Off Road. By asking questions. By ripping things apart. Ruined a couple good motors, & transmisions, etc. that way but hey I learned what everything was.
(1) Buy some quality tools. As far as specialty tools such as the hub socket, drum brake tools etc. you can get away with less expansive ones, they are not used as much as the basics, so less chance of failure, less wear and tear. As far as ratchets, sockets, wrenches, screw drivers, etc. Craftsman or better are to only way to go. Get the real thing when buying Vise Grips, don't waste your $ on imitations! A couple of C clamps, large pipe wrench, very large channel locks, Assorted hammers, A ball joint press, these work well for changing u joints as well. A grease gun an electric impact if you don't have air, etc.
(2) Get yourself a good floor jack, and 4 large heavy duty jack stands. A small assortment of 2x6, 6x6, & or 8x8 wood blocks are handy too. I cant count how many times I have set out 8x8s and then put the jack stand on top of them.
(3) A few different manuals, one for your truck, a couple on specifics, such as motors, or rear ends, etc.
Start servicing your parents, or other family members cars. Practice is great for learning.
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You're only 18, go to school for Automotive Technology. ;D
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thanks guys. thats some good advice and i will do just as you all told me. and ill up date you all on my truck through the members rides posts.
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you don't want to do the rearend yourself. the fuel pump would have been a simple remove/replace, but the diff requires some specific tolerances. I haven't ever taken a class, but I didn't think twice about taking one of these apart. The new auto specifc classes are good for expanding knowledge though.
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My dad changed the oil and could replace the points and the fairly easy stuff but never kept a car past 5 years and it usually had under 50K and he traded it off. I got his old Neihoff (sp?) tach and dwell and timing light. I did learn a lot from the neighbors, enough to get me interested in turning wrenches. I worked in several service garages but quickly learned that without the training to keep up with all the new stuff coming down the road it would soon be over my head. I have back problems and knew that wasn't the field for me but enjoyed it enough to keep my own stuff going 23 years and 300 cars/trucks later.
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I knew jack about cars and bought my first vehicle, 1980 C10 with a 400 and I spent all my spare time working/learning by myself. I had no internet messageboards etc just a few friends who knew a little bit of this and that and a Chiltons. I wanted to learn as much as I could about it all so I ended up going to school for Automotive. I'm glad I did because I've made a career out of it very successfully and can fix anything or build anything. Everything I've learned in automotive I've been able to translate to other things in life too. So I can thank my Chevy trucks for making me who I am today. I've now been teaching Automotive Technology on the collegiate level for 6 years. It's awesome and very rewarding. I also make a lot of $ on the side. Enough to help me pay my motrgage and have all of the toys I have. Zieg I'm feelin the back pain thing now though. I guess that means I need to do a few more side jobs and by a hot tub ;D
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Vile, Hot tub??? MMMMM, Father's Day present, not a bad idea....
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Well since my only son is my dog do you think I could have him apply for a credit card and buy one for me? After all I am a good Daddy! :P
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With the way they hand the things out these days, he could probably get one fairly easy!
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I was 15 when I got my first car...a 68 moostang. I was lucky, my dad like working with wood and had a nice sized-garage. He knew squat about cars though.
I took that joker apart first chance I got. I was already taking radios, tv's apart and seeing how they worked. I should've been an engineer...but that would've been one add'l year of college.
Anyway, I rebuilt my first engine at 16. Didn't know what I was doing aside from the Chilton's manual for torque specs, etc. I didn't get her bored, so she only lasted a couple of years and a lot of tire burning.
I learn by doing. We all started young and mainly had no choice but to fix things puppies ourselves. I am from the country and the only thing we went to the shops for was to get these things inspected.
It isn't hard, just jump right in and challenge yourself and don't be afraid. If you are afraid of working on them, it ain't for you. But I'll tell ya, there's nothing like the feeling of fixing your truck with your own two hands and driving her down the road afterwards. Besides, if she breaks down on you, you've learned how to work on it and you aren't afraid and know exactly how to fix it.
One example: I failed an annual inspection on the old '79 a couple of years ago. Bad ball joints. $500 estimate. I bought these things for around $40 and put them on myself for the first time.... I was a little discouraged at first but I said, I'm gonna conquer this and I did. www.delbridge.net/balljoints
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Thowell, it sounds like you're on the right track already by searching for a web site with qualified guys who can help you with the questions you have, and also by finding a buddy to help work on your truck and show you how to work on some things. We actually do learn many things by making mistakes and correcting them the 2nd time out. Believe me, there's nothing better than a guy who wants to learn. I think a good attitude can teach you a lot, whereas, a sour attitude teaches others a lot about you. It's good to meet you.
BTW, at 59 I'm still learning too. :D
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I have had about six kids over the years I have helped out, and taught about cars, & trucks etc. Mechanical, & body work. Two of them were brothers, their old man is a master Toyota tech, and a cracker jack at electrical trouble shooting. I still learn from him! The youngest one went into the military, heavy wheeled vehicle mechanic. When he got out he came home and is now a mechanic for Ford medium duty trucks. My best friends boy has been around me, & my projects since he was a little squirt. He is graduating this Sat. He is going to collage for fire sciences, but will always know the basics about cars. His best friend a year younger has recently taken a big interest in learning. The last few months I have been teaching him when his truck needs repairs. I always try to instill other basic life leasons as well. I look at it as I wish there were more guys my age when I was that age to teach me.
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I started in the tyre trade as a basic fitter. Done fairly well at school but didn't fancy an office job.
Once I'd done tyres for a few months I moved onto exhaust fitting and then brakes etc. My favourite "toy" is my welder. Quite handy really as its saved me a fortune on the truck.
Best advice I can give is find an area you like doing and concentrate on getting that right. Then move onto the next. Modern day electrical is the way to go...........
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thanks all of you guys. you have given the advice i was lookin for and the encouragement to keep going and learn, fix, rebuild, and run. also the advice you guys have given me has helped me decide that this fall (my first semester at college) i am going to take some auto classes. i have received two years free to any of the five campuses of Kansas city community colleges in Missouri. and i am going to shoot for auto engineering and or mechanical. so thanks for the advice and i will keep you all updated and try for a video soon.