Maintenance Coaching?

[CA Big Red]

I'm not a mechanic.

I can't say that I'm even mechanically inclined. 

However, I have this old truck that I have held onto for the past 20 years, I've done a lot of maintenance on it myself and do enjoy getting under the hood and doing the basics. 

I've also taken the truck to a mechanic for certain things that I didn't feel comfortable with or have time for myself. 

Lately, I've been putting more time and energy into cleaning up the old truck and have some projects that I need to either do myself or hire done. 

I'd like to do it myself, but I'd also like to be assured that I'm doing it right.  So, that got me wondering if there was any kind of hybrid service out there where a guy could hire a mechanic who specializes in old trucks like this to coach him through a project on a Saturday.

Have any of you heard of anything like this?  Where the mechanic wouldn't necessarily be there to do anything but provide guidance or hand the client a wrench?

[bd]

If you have the time, take an auto mechanics course at your local Community College.  It will afford you much useful information and valuable experience in a controlled environment.

[CA Big Red]

Thanks for the suggestion bd.

I don't really have time for something like that and with what time I have, I'm going to want to be focused on specific projects, so I don't waste time going over what I do know.

Seems like there is a business opportunity out there for something like this, where guys like me could hire a coach to work with to keep their classics on the road and could share knowledge with an aspiring weekend warrior mechanic, like myself.

Maybe I'll just post an ad on Craigslist and see who and how many respond...

[STxMunky]

I like the idea! Using your own vehicle as a teaching tool, with a solid mechanic to guide you.

[zieg85]

Interesting, could be an expensive endeavor.  I would think a qualified auto mechanic would probably want the going rate but some seasoned retired guy may help you out.  I have done that very thing for family and friends but in many cases just took over because it was just easier.

[Stewart G Griffin]

i think this is a very lucrative idea for a current or former tech.

What i'm thinking of doing, if i ever get around to it, is to put an ad up on Craig's for someone to teach me Megasquirt.  i'm  thinking i would pay shop rates (or negotiate, but definitely not more than shop rates) and food/drink.   It would be at my garage, unless more convient somewhere else, and i would supply all the tools.

[Stewart G Griffin]

Another idea i came up with is, and feel free to steal it because i'm too busy to put it together, is to rent out a facility---maybe a VFW hall etc.   And hold a hands-on seminar where you wire a car from start to finish.  Step-by-step detailed explanation.

Charge maybe $25 per person.

i think you would really clean up.

[thirsty]

Isn't that what we do here?

[zieg85]

Isn't that what we do here?

You nailed it, there are several on here that go the extra mile to copy or write novels.  The technical page area is full of them.  BD and Vile have both helped me above and beyond.  I've tried to put value with some of my input.

[dvdswan]

Want to learn???---
http://www.carparts.com/classroom - good overview of all systems.
http://www.autoshop101.com/autoshop2.html - homepage
http://www.autoshop101.com/autoshop9.html - quiz
http://www.autoshop101.com/autoshop15.html - training
http://www.autoshop101.com/autoshop16.html - training
http://www.autoshop101.com/autoshop19.html - link to manufacture sites

http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars...enance/4314662
http://www.dummies.com/how-to/home-g...al-System.html
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cooling-system.htm
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine...ion-system.htm
http://www.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm
http://www.hwhcorp.com/Intro_to_Air_Suspensions.pdf
https://bagriders.com/modlab/pages/AIR-RIDE-FAQ.html
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Wiring/Part1/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Oiling/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Cooling/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...otcher/Bender/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Plumbing/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...rness_install/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Harnesses/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Fuel_Cell/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavista/Brakes/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ew/Compressor/
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...lts/index.html
http://www.pirate4x4.com/articles/tech/old/

[ehjorten]

Personally...I think that if you have done some of your own maintanence and have done some medium sized jobs, it should be pretty easy to take a service manual and follow the step-by-step instructions?!  It will tell you what tools you need to complete the job (you don't always need those tools...that comes with experience).

IDK...Maybe this is coming from a guy that is mechanically inclined, but if you do a little study work for the job you want to tackle, you should be able to get it done without too much trouble.

[bake74]

    CA BIG RED, you live in Sac correct ?  I moved to Galt recently, I would be willing to help out if you needed it.  Depending on what part of Sac you live it should only be about 30 - 40 min drive, less if you live closer to Elk Grove.
     Anyway I might need some help this summer with my project.  Pm me if you want some help, I have helped a couple of other close members out in the past.

[CA Big Red]

Hey thanks bake74.  I might just have to take you up on that.  I am in Rancho, so closer to you then, I think.

Look for my PM.

[CA Big Red]

Isn't that what we do here?

You nailed it, there are several on here that go the extra mile to copy or write novels.  The technical page area is full of them.  BD and Vile have both helped me above and beyond.  I've tried to put value with some of my input.

I believe this forum and those like it to be extremely valuable to a backyard mechanic like myself.  However, a forum can't be there to listen to the tuning of a carburetor or make an audible call based on what they are seeing from the actual truck while tuning it up.  The other thing that I believe a coach could help with is to help make sure the project gets started and finished.  I envision a relationship with a parts and tools list also includes an estimated time to complete.  That way, the Saturday effort doesn't end in a rig not ready to drive on Monday (mine is not a daily driver, but you know what i mean).

So, I just think I'm not alone in thinking that a person would be interested in $50-100/day or more to be there to make sure the project gets started and done right. 

[STxMunky]

I found an older retired guy that works on ANYTHING, but prides himself on old Chevys and VWs. He has taught me a thing or two about tuning a carburetor and adjusting my timing - I tried to install a new intake manifold and didn't quite know what I was doing. He also did some fabrication on rear bumper mounts from a mid-90s model Chevy pickup, as well as rebuilt and installed a Dana 60 for me and repaired a cracked frame and damaged steering linkage.

He does all his stuff in his yard, at his own pace. If I ever have anything I can't hack by myself, he'll be helping me. He does work at a fast pace: like Zieg said, it's probably a lot easier for him to just get it done than to explain every little thing. But when I can coax the patience out of him, I come away with a better understanding of the subject matter.

It's a good idea, but everybody's schedules and egos have to be compatible.