Mechanical Education

[jkrubinlaw]

I am trying to figure out how I can learn to do some of the work on my own car. I have a 1976 Porsche 911 weekend/evening/anytime the weather is nice car. But I don't know very much about how to work on cars. I have read through some of the books including 101 projects. I have replaced my own interior carpet. In most instances I can follow directions and install or replace a part. However, I do not know what I am doing, why I am doing it, or what effects it will cause. I am absolutely unable to diagnose anything.

I am in my mid 30's, wife, kid, and still have to work for a living. Any suggestios where I can learn a little more about my car. If it matters I am in South Florida.

Thanks

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Up here in New York, what they call BOCES--continuing-education public trade school that are sometimes quite good--give courses in all sorts of mechanical and trade stuff, from plumbing to becoming a SCUBA instructor to getting your A&P (airframe and powerplant) aviation ticket. Look into whether they have something like that in your area. They're usually evening classes.

I think most of us who are into this stuff started on flathead Fords (if you're as old as I am) or smallblock V8s, VWs or little Ford fours, and if you're honest enough to admit that you don't have that sort of background, you probably shouldn't go into working on a 911 engine blindly. Not that you can't do it--nothing wrong with starting out, carefully, working on a Porsche engine, and don't listen to the people who will try to tell you that you have to have decades of experience and a polyurethane-floored workshop--but you should know the basics of tools and fasteners and How Things Work.

Stephan

[CarreraS2]

There are so many good resource materials for 911s these days . . . I'd get an SC Bentley for starts. Your car is a little different than an SC, but a lot of it is basically the same. The Haynes manual is inexpensive and not bad for the money.

I personally just started out slow, changing the oil in my parent's BMW when I was 13, reading/learning something about cars every day since. I have Bentley manuals in my nightstand, and read them cover to cover like a novel! Then, as you feel comfortable, starting with the small stuff and moving up.

I think conceptually, cars are really pretty simple devices, esp. cars from the '70s and '80s. Or, at least a whole bunch of fairly simple systems stuck together.

[911pcars]

?ĞL:W? some options that may or may not be available in your area. This is a rough ranking in terms of time commitment.

Self-study
Community service program (weekend. Basic how-to's)
Adult school (usually once a week for X weeks; recommended)
Regional Occupation Program (ROP)
Community college
Trade school
Armed Forces (but free food, clothing and lodging)

Sherwood
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars

[Randy Webb]

I think the community college route is good in general. I would also pick up a (used) copy of John Muir's book on how to work on VW's -- it came out in the 60s or early 70s and is the finest guidebook to working on mechanical stuff ever created. He uses drawings rather than photos which is a big help (tho Wayne has the best photos I've seen for Porsche work).

Also, get some of the Reader's Digest guides to automobiles or something similar. Browse your local library.

Then, I would move on to Wayne's 101 -- just be sure you stick to the basic projects -- as he has a wide range of stuff in there. Also, read Bruce Anderson's book.

[vash]

i actually think one of the best ways to learn is to simply go for it. although it may not be the most cost effective. this may come from my background of taking all of my toys apart, just to see how it works. this forum and the myriad of reading material out there is just enough to make me dangerous.....

[Superman]

Although I just missed the flathead era, I learned two ways: Doing and Listening. I've loved to talk about cars for decades, and have taken the time to seek out those who know more than I. That's too much of a time investment for a husband and father, but you can still do some reading and asking questions here. Some manuals are very good, Bentley, for instance. And if you can follow instructions, then you're all set for most procedures.

[vash]

what the hell is a flathead? (besides a great place to set a beer)

[47silver]

hi:
the 75 that we have is really a simple vehicle. my 16 year old can work on it and trouble shoot some of the problems and this is the first car that he has worked on. if you take the time to learn what makes all of the systems on a car opeate and why they operate that will help for example:
1. fuel: how it is delivered at what pressures.
2. electricity to start the engine and keep it running how it takes dc voltage and generates a spark.
3. mechanical: timing and how the pistons and valves move in the engine. flywheel/clutch used to deliver power, transmission/differential/axels used to apply power to the wheeels.
4. electricity: how it is generated and stored in the battery, fused and what it does via switches and motors.

everything in a porsche has a use and is a system that is part of the overall system (car).

get a good set of tools, wrenches sockets etc.. dont buy cheap ones as you will be sorry the first time a wrench or socket slips and your hand is stopped by the sharpest piece of metal on your car.
buy a good volt ohm meter and understand how it works.
cannot emphasize that cars are systems, they are tangible and are not a religious experience.
go slow, change your oil first...read all some of the post here.
change your plugs:
change your disks on your brakes.
each one of these tasks will help you build some confidence in how the car works.
it helps to think of it as a puzzle.
the people on this board will help with any question, you will save a lot of $ and will not fell like you are dumping money down the drain if you do the work yourself.


gary

[aigel]

A flathead is a head that does not have any valves in it. All it has in it is the spark plug. Looks really great and makes for easy plug changes!This is on real old engines that had the valves in the lower part of the engine. Makes for a real goofy shaped combustion chamber. Nevertheless, hotroders in the 50s made flathead V8s go very quick.

Anyway, to get to the question. Nobody has mentioned what you really need: A FRIEND! Yes, that's the way to learn: Find someone that works on their car and is fairly good at it. Have them help you / guide you. E.g. if there is something to troubleshoot, they can help you and then get you started on the job or work with you through it. That's how I learned, combined with just going nuts on dozens of cars that I went through owning.

So, how do you find a friend? Often they come by by the time you have the hood open in your driveway. That's what happened with me, made friends with my neighbor who happened to be a technician at a MB dealership.

The Porsche club would actually be the best place to go to make friends that have gasonline in their blood. Often they have tech sessions where you actually learn how to do a brake job on your car etc. At least our region has a few tech sessions a year. You also may find folks locally that are willing to help. Are you a member of the PCA?

If you go to autocross events, you may also find folks that are pretty savy with their cars. (I am still shocked though, how many have a wrench that holds their hand, down to the brake bleeding before every season...)

And as much as others encourage you, here is a heads up: Don't do any jobs that involve safety (e.g. brakes, steering and suspension) if you are not sure what you are doing. What you did, the carpet, that's a good point to start. There are many other places where you can get some experience. E.g. if your sunroof is broken, the windshield rubber needs replacing etc., you won't kill yourself if you mess up and the car will still run too.

Also, remember, if any of the jobs don't converge, there is always the shop. It may be embarassing to bring them an unfinished job, but who cares!

Cheers, George

[MMe025]

The one thing I could recommend that is cheap and easy to do is to go to your local library and take out a few books on ASE certification. There are 8 of them for each of the different areas on your vehicle (i.e. Engine, Transmission, Fuel and injection ect.).
This is something that is easy to do in the evenings and will give you a good start with understanding what it is you are looking at.
Working on cars as a hobby will not make you necessarily Joe ACE mechanic but it definitely point you in the right direction.

[Sonic dB]

Good question sir....For your Porsche, there is no better resource than this forum. Get used to using the 'search' function to get multiple insights into your questions.

I was like you with my knowledge of Porsche mechanics when I bought my car, and still have much much to learn. However since then, I have learned a ton through the 101 Projects book and Bentley, as well as Bruce Andersons book... however when problems have arisin (and there have been plenty), I turn to this forum for troubleshooting advice.

These Porsches are not cheap to maintain... actually are pretty damn expensive....but they are rewarding, a blast to drive, and I will never sell mine.

[Sonic dB]

Oh yeah... on the web, check out:

www.howstuffworks.com

Great website.

[1982911sc]

I never was really a mechanically guy growing up (I am 33 now), When I bought my 912 I knew in order to afford these cars I would have to learn myself. And as many had said before...start slowly and you will figure out...it all makes sense on these cars what goes where (for the most part). I would stay out of engine block, but as far as everything else goes it is pretty intuitive. Try changing your oil, putting in a new fan belt (key to learn this), look around and find out where your fuel pump is, check out your fuses. I think these cars are pretty easy to work once you have the cofidence and patience.

[jkrubinlaw]

Yeah, I changed some worn out hoses and some other minor stuff. I can follow directions or do simple swaps. I just don't know how or why the thing works.

[azasadny]

jkrubinlaw,

My situation is very similar to yours, but I have learned quite a bit from the helpful people right here and that knowledge, combined with a few good books and some "hands-on" experience was the best teacher I have ever had. Mechanical things can be frustrating, but you have a good car to work on and the satisfaction that you have "fixed it yourself" will really pay off. Try to find a good local Porsche shop, if you can. I have found one here near me (Motor City---Detroit), so I'm sure you can find one in sunny Florida. If you get in over your head on a project don't be afraid to ask for help, either here or at the local Porsche shop. There are many informational resources on the "Web" and you can learn just about everything you could ever want to know about your car. Don't be afraid to ask questions as the people here are patient and knowledgeable!!! Buy some good tools and have patience!!!!

[masraum]

All of these things have been great. To get the concepts down (actually pretty important in my book) the website mentioned above is a great resource, www.howstuffworks.com

You may also want to pick up one of those plastic model engines that you can see through and then when it's together you can see all of the moving parts and their relationship when it's done. My local Autozone has one on sale right now for about $20-$30, or you can often find them in hobby stores.