learn basic mechanics

fffp

how can i learn some basic mechanics,i'm getting a triumph spitfire after christmas and would love to be able to do engine upgrades or install new parts if i chose to.i don't have time for mechanics classes.would buying an old engine and taking it apart and getting the hands dirty be benifical to me.i was on that how it works site and i'm starting to get the general idea of some of it but would love to learn more and get a better understanding of things. comments please,thanks...fffp

Buford T Justice

fffp wrote: »

how can i learn some basic mechanics,i'm getting a triumph spitfire after christmas and would love to be able to do engine upgrades or install new parts if i chose to.i don't have time for mechanics classes.would buying an old engine and taking it apart and getting the hands dirty be benifical to me.i was on that how it works site and i'm starting to get the general idea of some of it but would love to learn more and get a better understanding of things. comments please,thanks...fffp

Taking an engine apart will give you an idea about how it works, but not much else. Putting things back together can be difficult and there can be things to be aware of like timing, torquing nuts etc.... If you can get one in a car and do it to he stage you can get it running again it'd be even better.

You can always post questions over in the DIY Car Maintenance & Repair forum. lads are pretty helpful over there.

stackerman

fffp wrote: »

how can i learn some basic mechanics,i'm getting a triumph spitfire after christmas and would love to be able to do engine upgrades or install new parts if i chose to.i don't have time for mechanics classes.would buying an old engine and taking it apart and getting the hands dirty be benifical to me.i was on that how it works site and i'm starting to get the general idea of some of it but would love to learn more and get a better understanding of things. comments please,thanks...fffp

Hi fffp

I only just got my first classic this year (also a Triumph) and outside of basic servicing of my cars, would have known little of mechanics.
Depending on your location - The first bit of advice would be join the TCOC, which I did, and you will learn a huge amount from lads that have learnt themselves over many years. Their advice and help has been invaluable to me. The club also does 'Technical Evenings' at this time of year, which you'd be welcome to attend and meet the guys. Anything from electrics, engine, paint, body work etc etc

All the best

Kevin

fffp

@buford,your probobly right about the engine thing,i can see from working images online how engines operate,so i'll just keep studying them for the tme being.thats some good advice kevin,i'm probobly getting a bit ahead of myself not having the car yet and all.i'll wait till i get it and then start wrecking heads,cheers fffp : )

stackerman

fffp wrote: »

@buford,your probobly right about the engine thing,i can see from working images online how engines operate,so i'll just keep studying them for the tme being.thats some good advice kevin,i'm probobly getting a bit ahead of myself not having the car yet and all.i'll wait till i get it and then start wrecking heads,cheers fffp : )

fffp

I highly recommend joining BEFORE you get your car, unless you have it sorted already.
I guarantee you will end up with a better car, with the advice and help you'll receive.

Anyway, best of luck

Kevin

fffp

keving wrote: »

fffp

I highly recommend joining BEFORE you get your car, unless you have it sorted already.
I guarantee you will end up with a better car, with the advice and help you'll receive.

Anyway, best of luck

Kevin

your spot on with that but i have the car sorted allready.a friend owns it who is into his vintage cars i've only seen it once but she isn't bad just some surface rust and other minor things and she'll be ok but not showroom or anything.he's sorting the bodywork before i take her and i'm giving him what he paid for it so he's sorting me out.im just waiting to come up with the wonga,can't wait though.i might take your advice and join all the same.cheers...eoin.

Dades

On any classic I've had the engine has never been a problem -it's all the other bits around it that cause trouble!

I did an evening course in a car maintenance which went through all the bits like clutches, alternators, brakes and whatnot. You could see if there's one near you you could go to.

Have a Google for one in your area!

mountai

Welcome to the ranks!!.Like you, I was a complete numptie, when it came to mechanics.The most valuable aid I found, was a copy of the Workshop Manual for the particular car you might have.Haynes Manuals do a range of books for most English Classics. To compile these books, they strip down the car to its base, describing every process and illustrate these steps in a basic form.
I am presently restoring an MGA and I found, that in conjunction with the Club Forum , the Manual and various Internet sites, nothing is beyond me. Best of luck.

_Conrad_

you can always try to do it the hard way like me, learning as i go, can do a lot more now than at first but self tought, learning from mistakes etc. It's slow but making some bit of progress

fffp

sound for the replys,i think i'm sorted, was talking to yer man with the spit again and he said he'd have no problem showing me the ropes with whatever i chose to do to it.sweet.got another look at the spit again she's a 1500 with overdrive, now i know what overdrive is...i'm learning allready

ahal

I find youtube invaluable for stuff like this. Sit down for a few hours of a weekend and just watch. It's best to look at the views / positive ratings / comments for videos before getting too settled in though, because like anything on the net, the info is only as good as the provider!

The likes of this guy are great for quick overviews:

http://www.youtube.com/user/scottykilmer

fffp

cheers, good thinking.