Really Newbie Question

[terrygandy]

I've spent all of my life around airplanes. I know some things about cars like the difference between an alternator and a generator (I owned MG's); fuel injection vs. carburetor, I really don't know how this stuff works. For instance, I am totally lost when people post about rear end ratios, crank shafts, induction, etc. Even suspension is a wonderment! Did everyone learn this stuff by hanging out? That's how I learned everything I know about airplanes and was able to do all of my own maintenance (under the supervision of a licensed mechanic). Sheet metal, no problem.

Are there some recommended books I can buy to give me some good background knowledge when I start building my Type 65 Coupe in a couple years? Maybe a publisher's series on automotive technology. I hope to attend the builder workshop closer to my start date, but that's really a place to put the knowledge into action and ask informed questions, in my opinion.

Thanks!

[Scott7644]

You can order the build manual from Factory Five and read through it to see what all is involved.

[Presto51]

Yes you can order the Buld Manual from FFR to get a feel for what you have in store for youself, just remember the manual is not a absolute step by step how to build your car, it's more of a good guideline type of book. Hanging out and reading on this forum and this one http://www.ffcars.com will help with more detail advice when you need it. The guys on these two forums are a great bunch of people.

Also check out the Carroll Smith site http://www.carrollsmith.com/main.html

Happy building

Ron

[Martin]

I still no nothing and the longer I hang around these forums the more I realise that. The Mott built school is a great idea. I'm taking a different route and using Mark Dougherty to do my "build school" on my own car.

That said, I have learned a lot hanging around here. But 0-60 in 4 seconds means I want to be sure I have done it right before I sit in it.

The new manual is much better than the old one, but nothing beats just getting in and doing it.

Martin

[Jacob McCrea]

I hesitate to chime in since my coupe is still a bare steel frame, and many others here are far more experienced. Nevertheless, I'd make these comments:
1. Stripping a donor car is an excellent learning experience for folks (like me) who are not life-long race car builders. I knew my way around a Mustang from working on a handful of them, but that was almost a decade ago. Stripping down the donor car was a great "refresher course" on a lot of things which I forgot in the intervening years. This assumes that you can find a good one for a good price, can scrap the remaining parts easily, etc. If it's practical for you, there is a lot to be learned from that process.
2. There are many good do-it-yourself books on engines, fuel injection, etc. published by HP Books. The one on rebuilding Ford small blocks is good, although it does not address fuel injection or many other post-60s developments. The book "Ford Engine Buildups" by Evan J. Smith is also good and has a lot of high performance info that the former one lacks. I've seen, but never read, a handful of books on modifying Fox and SN95 Mustangs. I imagine that they're pretty useful.
3. A subscription to Hot Rod Magazine is, dollar for dollar, a lot of information. One of the Mustang and Ford magazines is probably even better for building a Ford-powered car. Good luck!

[riptide motorsport]

You can do it, its just a bunch of small jobs put all together......wwe'll get you through it.

[terrygandy]

Thanks for all of your help! I recently bought the Type 65 Coupe Builders Manual and have enjoyed going through it. Then I read posts regarding some of the suspension or engine/drive train stuff and I think, "huh?" (or more likely, "duh?"). I saw Evan Smith's book at the bookstore and thought it was pretty cool. It's nice to hear it get kudos on the FFRF. I'll pick it up. Honestly, cars are a LOT more technical than airplanes. I'm really excited about the adventure. It's going to be fun!

Thanks, again!!

[Gumball]

Any book by Carroll Smith (i.e., his "... to win" series) will be a wealth of knowledge for you. Dave Smith (no relation) even recommends them in the intro of the build manual.

[terrygandy]

Thanks, Gumball. I checked out Carroll Smith on Amazon and abebooks and found some good ones.