Where to start?

[cynic]

Hello! I'm 16, and a bit of searching around has lead to few active automotive forums.

I was wondering where to just begin to get a knowledge of cars! I mean, I would love to be able to design and put together cars in the not-so-near future, and I figured now is as good a time as any to start getting some knowledge about cars in general. I've seen a few books in our school's library about cars, but they aren't very thorough. There's over a century of science in cars, and with each development having /so much/ behind it, I've yet to find a truly comprehensive book. Any tips as to where to start learning?

[Jacob McCrea]

Welcome. I would buy a copy of Prepare to Win by Carroll Smith. It is written specifically for race car preparation but is very well written and much of the content applies to all mechanical endeavors. From there you can move on to his other books. You can also learn quite a bit from reading through a Haynes repair manual, regardless of the vehicle. Read one of those things front to back and you'll learn quite a bit about mechanical systems. Also, following along on this forum should be pretty educational. Some seriously knowledgeable people are commenting here, and the knowledge is free.

[cynic]

Oh? Thank you very much for the recommendation!

[Arrowhead]

Go get yourself a clapped out junker for a couple hundred bucks and take it apart right down to the shell and disassemble everything - engine, transmission, suspension, differential, wiring, dash, etc. There’s no substitute for actually wrenching to figure out how something works. All the books and internet sites can't replicate the knowledge gained by turning over a motor and watching the valves go up and down or turning an axle and watching the differential gears spin in different directions or holding a transmission gears in your hands and see how the shift forks and syncros mesh the gears together.

[wallace18]

Go get yourself a clapped out junker for a couple hundred bucks and take it apart right down to the shell and disassemble everything - engine, transmission, suspension, differential, wiring, dash, etc. There’s no substitute for actually wrenching to figure out how something works. All the books and internet sites can't replicate the knowledge gained by turning over a motor and watching the valves go up and down or turning an axle and watching the differential gears spin in different directions or holding a transmission gears in your hands and see how the shift forks and syncros mesh the gears together.

What Arrowhead said can not be more correct. While as a youth I read everything that had to do with 2 or 4 wheels only the working on the actual vehicle made it make sense. I got a 2 year degree in automotive technology but the years of working on cars, motorcyles and race cars taught me 10X more. I wish you the best and don't ever be afraid to ask a question we would be happy to help.

[RM1SepEx]

make it an old Miata, fun to drive, cheap to fix, not driven in the winter so many old ones with no rust... might as well have fun driving it too,...

[carbon fiber]

working on an actual car is a good idea, as mentioned above. also look at car magazines, there are tons of car magazines that talk about everything from basic mods/service, all the way up to ground up builds. finding someone that you know that may have automotive experience would be valuable also. if you don't know how to use the tools, trying to take something apart would be frustrating. there are alot of tips/tricks when using tools to learn. automotive courses at local community college would benefit you greatly if you are a novice. be persistant, above all.

[WIS89]

Cynic-

First, I have to ask about the screen name? At 16, you are a cynic already? It's OK, I am just curious... ;-o)

Arrowhead is exactly right. I had an old MGB that I spend countless hours trying to make work, and more countless hours fixing and chasing down problems known to exist with this brand's electronics. For those that know,m Lucas- the Prince of Darkness!

I also was fortunate that my father fixed our own cars, mostly because we couldn't afford to have anyone else do the work, as I find myself today. I learned a great deal from him, but it was with my own car, in which I had a serious stake, where I learned most of my skills.

RM1 also made a wonderful suggestion. Get yourself a car that is popular, where parts are inexpensive and plentiful in scrap yards (assuming you have junk yards near you), and that can bring you pleasure when completed. There is nothing more rewarding than solving a vexing problem, than taking that car for it's first successful test drive after repair! I think this is truly excellent advice.

Also, does your high school have an auto mechanics class (or something similarly named...)? If so, give it a try. It will not be the most challenging class, but it will open you up to some more information, and perhaps answer some questions, and provide even more that need to be answered.

Best of luck in your pursuit! It can be very rewarding and frustrating. But I will also tell you that people who can fix their own cars are rare and valued! I can't count how many friends I have helped with their cars over the years. Even today I am helping folks with their cars. I hope you have success in your quest. Come back here and ask some more questions, and see if we can help you out... Good luck!!

Regards,

Steve

[skullandbones]

Hi Cynic,

Hey after the M Te'O issue being a cynic at 16 may not be such a bad thing (just a little). And you may be a re-incarnation of an old Greek philosopher.

But seriously: join a car club if you have a good one in your area. I did early on and I can say with assurance that it gave me a very good background in car things. We had auto technicans, engineers, as well as people like myself with almost no experience. I bought my first roadster body (not a cobra) and kept it in my back yard for years until I could build it up in the club with help from members. I built my first engine, 409, in the club garage. It is a great way to become a good wrencher. You can work on your stuff and help others, too.

BTW, you should also read your butt off. Read the technical stuff that interests you. There is a saying, "if you do something for 10 yrs, you should be an expert at it". So before you know it you will be an expert in something that other people will be interested in too.

The "Strollers" are still going strong in Chattanooga, TN helping new generations of hot rodders (club disbanded but many are active in other clubs now). They sure helped me.

Good luck!

WEK.

,

[sheephearder]

If you are close to me(Midland, Texas), you can work on my '33 as I'm going to be laid up for knee surgery for a couple months. John