What is an easy way to learn more about cars and engines, etc? | FerrariChat

What is an easy way to learn more about cars and engines, etc?

Discussion in 'General Automotive Discussion' started by JSinNOLA, Jul 31, 2005.

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  1. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2002
    20,257
    Denver, CO
    Like most here, I have a deep passion for cars. But one thing that annoys me is that I really don't know much about how cars physically work. I would love to be able to have a working knowledge on how these complex machines all come together and how they can be taken apart, fixed, and built back together.

    Is there maybe a "Cars for Dummies" book out there to get me started? I feel like I am missing out to a certain extent.
     
  2. ShanB

    ShanB Formula Junior

    Jul 9, 2003
    547
    Tejas/Europe/Desert
    Full Name:
    shanb
    IMO, the "dummies" book contains info that can already be found on the net. Lots of great websites - do a Google search. Most community colleges offer automotive technology classes. If you're serious, make friends with a gearhead or two. Offer to help them on a project, then watch and learn. Join a car club and go to the tech sessions. Buy the manual (Chilton, Bentley, etc) for your car, begin building a basic tool set and do routine maintainance on your own vehicle. Begin with simple things: fluid and filter changes, brake pads, etc to get used to working around a car and go from there. You'll be amazed at what you will learn just by seeing and doing over time. Electronics & special tools aside, if you can work competently on a Chevy a Ferrari is not a big leap mechanically, just more expensive parts.
    There are great textbooks in the "Automotive Technology" section of the library or bookstore. Also there's a great guide to Bosch fuel injection systems. I'm away from home and don't remember the titles and authors of mine. I'm sure others have their favorites.

    Most important: Be patient, well organized and always know your limits (when to stop and ask for help). Always work purposefully and safely. DO spend the money and buy the right (quality) tools and safety equipment (incl halotron extinguisher, gloves and goggles) and NEVER get under a car while at home alone. Good luck.
     
  3. 911Fan

    911Fan Formula 3

    Apr 15, 2004
    1,294
    Southern California
    For starters, get yourself a Visible V8 model and build it.
     
  4. Sheldon

    Sheldon Formula 3

    Apr 18, 2005
    1,423
    Calgary, Alberta
    Full Name:
    Sheldon
  5. Dave328

    Dave328 Formula 3

    Nov 24, 2002
    2,133
    Katy
    Full Name:
    Dave
    Just come on over angd hang out when I start tearing the 328 down. After being a professional machanic for 15+ years, I might have a little wisdom to impart! ;)

    Dave
     
  6. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2002
    20,257
    Denver, CO
    Let me know when you are going to be messing with it and I'll come over with a sixer!

    By the way, looks like you guys didnt have to clean up after the track event, that little patch of rain must have done the trick! ;) And to think you guys ALMOST made it back with the top off, heh
     
  7. jordan747_400

    jordan747_400 F1 Veteran
    Lifetime Rossa

    Dec 9, 2002
    6,928
    Houston, TX
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    Jordan
    Actually yes, there is a Car Repair for Dummies book I believe. My brother has it and I have thumbed through it.
     
  8. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2002
    20,257
    Denver, CO
    Worth the buy for a relative newbie?
     
  9. Schatten

    Schatten F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Apr 3, 2001
    11,238
    Austin, TX
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    Randy
  10. TimN88

    TimN88 F1 Veteran

    Jun 12, 2001
    5,054
    Northeast
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    Tim
    I second howthingswork.com
    It covers the basics of how things like an engine and car work, and even has some interesting pieces about how race cars work.
     
  11. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner Social Subscribed

    Dec 1, 2000
    63,971
    Southlake, TX
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    Rob Lay
    The best is hands on with someone else that knows. 2nd would be hands on with shop manuals. 3rd would just be online or a book without hands on. Maybe get an overview, but you really need to get dirty.

    After the MBA I spent 2.5 years taking auto tech courses at the local community college. One of the best things I ever did. It was beneficial on so many levels. Over the 2.5 years I took full semester courses in Intro to Auto Tech, Electrical, Brakes & Suspension, Manual Transmissions & Differentials, and then Engine Rebuild. I loved working hands on with very experienced dealer trainers and the diverse students (mostly right out of high school). My class had several non-traditional students like myself and I met my great friend Greg Scott, who is a lawyer with a 16 car collection and does most of his own work.

    I do more things myself now like oil and brakes, but if anything it just helps knowing your stuff for those mechanic trips when giving you 2-4 pages of "to do's" that will cost $3,000. :) You at least know what they're talking about and know which things you can get away with not fixing. Fix the water pump, but who cares about the little oil leak! ;)

    At the race track I have to do most things myself, so it has helped me stay on the track longer. I also hope to "restore" a car myself.

    It is all fun to learn, but end of the day for my daily drivers I would rather pay someone $80 an hour for most stuff.
     
  12. Evolved

    Evolved F1 Veteran

    Nov 5, 2003
    8,700
    Trial by fire is best.

    Get a 1993 Rx-7. You''ll learn how to keep it running or die trying and sell it in a huff.
     
  13. ****

    **** Karting
    BANNED

    Jul 28, 2005
    125
    Southern California
    Full Name:
    S. Polychronopolis
    When I was about 19 or so, I was in the same situation. I went to the local library and found an 800 page "text book" for technical school students on engine mechanics. Chapter one was the basics, the final chapter was about the finer points of PCM programming. Took me about a month to read in my off-time, but afterwards, I had a very firm understanding of how engines work.

    Do the same. You'll be pleased with your new knowledge!
     
  14. bottomline

    bottomline Formula 3

    Mar 10, 2004
    1,149
    Denver, CO
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    Bijan
    John, I also recommend this link. Most books go in way too much detail way too quickly. Howstuffworks explains all the basics and then from there it's a lot easier to understand the different variations of these parts.

    BTW, Scatten, you still have popup ads?!? ;)
     
  15. Schatten

    Schatten F1 World Champ
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    Apr 3, 2001
    11,238
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    Randy
    Not really. Using firefox, some are blocked, some get by.
     
  16. rickjaffe

    rickjaffe Formula Junior

    Mar 6, 2005
    363
    houston
    Full Name:
    richard jaffe
    what exactly is that? how big? is it a model from a toy store?
     
  17. senna21

    senna21 F1 Rookie

    Jul 2, 2004
    3,334
    Los Angeles, CA
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    Charles W

    Yea, buy a crappy car. Necessity is the mother of all invention. After screwing around under the hood on your own car you'll be able to look under any other make or model and say things like...

    "Why'd they put that there?! That was stupid. They should have put it right over there, that way you wouldn't have to remove the _____ to get at it."

    Be careful though. Knowing how it all goes together and works takes a lot of the aura, awe, and shine off a car.
     
  18. Tspringer

    Tspringer F1 Veteran

    Apr 11, 2002
    6,155
    Do you really want to learn?

    Buy either a pre-1976 Triumph TR6 or a pre-1976 MGB. Buy a shop manual and a decent tool set. Totally disassemble the car, then reassemble restoring as you go.

    When you are done, you will know all the basics.

    This is exactly what I did. 1975 TR6, I tore that sucker totally apart.



    Terry
     
  19. JSinNOLA

    JSinNOLA Two Time F1 World Champ
    Sponsor Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Mar 18, 2002
    20,257
    Denver, CO
    Wow, thanks guys for all of the great advice. Since I live in an apartment building with no space for an extra car I will have to take the following route:

    step 1: Familiarize myself with the barebone basics from howstuffworks
    step 2: Purchase a large volume technical text book for student mechanics
    step 3: If interest is getting stronger, enroll in some mech classes at a local community college in my spare time just for the heck of it.


    and then!

    step 4: Apply to be master mech for Corse Clienti program........
     

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