experience

i have about 12yrs experience repairing New Holland and Case/IH tractors if that counts:) i've rebiult quite a few car engines, some trannys and really have done alot of general fixing on them. i've done enought body work to hate that but i will say that they do turn out nice when i'm done. i havent found anything put together with bolts that i'm scared to tackle and i'm very comfortable working with the computers on the tractors, i just wish i knew the cars computers and fuel injection better.:HMMM:

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Originally posted by NTFDAY
I believe I said a JUNIOR in high school because that's what I was in the fisrt part of '60 and I'm 4 months older,8/14/43. and I don't think ducks, pegs, and points qualify as a redneck even if I'm from Ohio. I now see what Tech was refering to.

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Okay, okay, I apologize NFTDAY. You are right I did miss read that statement of yours. Sorry about that. And the crack about 17 in Junior High/Redneck wasn't aimed at you, but at anyone who would be 17 at that point of life. Once again, sorry!!!!!!

I consider myself a shade tree mechanic. Grew up on a farm so I became one out of necessity. Therefore I'm no stranger to baling wire and a pliers, Have never had any vehicle in a shop for repair, always do my own. Worked in an engine rebuild plant for a few years. Engine tear down, assembly, machinist for awhile. Certified welder for a few years. Owned my own shop for a few years doing everything from cars, trucks to tractors and combines. Tune ups to complete overhauls of engines, trans. and rear ends. Overhauled my share of T/A's and PTO drives on IH tractors. (That doesn't help much on a hot rod tho now does it) HEHEHE. Built a few street rods for myself and for customers. Built a few stock cars (that was just a natural progression for a gear head from rural Iowa) HEHEHE. And just so you know I really am a "Shade Tree Mech.'', when we first moved to Illinois (Had no garage) I painted my truck behind the house on the lawn. Also overhauled the TH350 on the tailgate on the driveway (Under a tree). Overhauled the engine (Actually did that in my brothers garage so that may not count). Truck ran for 10 years after that when I sold it. Didn't burn oil, trans. didn't slip. Paint held up. So, I'm a shade-treer and proud of it. I'm far from knowledgeable about newer stuff, I guess I know just enough to be dangerous.
Tore apart my first SBC in 1968 as a point of reference. It's really been all down hill from there. :LOL: :LOL: :LOL: :LOL:

Coondawg,

I think most of us can supply useful answers based upon experience, even if that experience is drawn from outside a strict automotive dicipline.

I have a couple of engineering degrees which I 've found useful in working on my own cars, boats, and bikes. I feel comfortable in offering my opinions and suggestions on very specific topics -- I try to keep quiet, listen to and learn from others the remaining 99% of the time.

Regards, Mark

Pro70, nothing wrong with being a tree hugger... I mean tree mech. Sometimes those guys are better than the ones that actually went to mechanics school because you had to learn from experience by having problems, etc. The ones who go to school (including me) don't know as much mostly because we haven't had problems and had to solve them as much on our own. All depends though I guess. You learn from your mistakes and problems is how I look at it.

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Originally posted by DennyW
There you go FX. Your learning right along. That paper is for your own gradification of accomplishing something. It sets the basic knowlege of any given subject. From that, working, and learning is where you get your experience. Sounds like pro is a pretty darn good experienced mechanic to me.
My self, and like Mike, have worked on things way before the paper learning. All that time is also counted as experience. I've talked to guys straight out of GM School, that I would not hire, cause they know only how to change parts. No experience learning, finding those little things, and short cuts, so you don't spend all day on one car, but, get it don't right. And, not just changing parts, and hand the bill to the customer. School is for learning the theory, and basic understanding of how things work. The rest is up to the person to push to learn the ins, and outs of everything. I've got all the papers on automotive, painting, hydraulics, management, and more, but, I have to only know how to treat people, and do a good job. That is what kept me in bus. :)

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I believe that just about says it all and yes I guess I get a little anal when it comes to Tech, I've known him since '57 and he might not of been always right, but he was very seldom wrong. :)

Well, I guess I'd say I'm along those same lines as proZ. Never went to school for mechanics but I rebuilt my first motor at 17 years old (sbc 350). Actually built that motor in my basement:eek: took me and a friend to carry it up the stairs when I was done:LOL: ...guess I was a "hot rodder" from the very start because even though it was my first ever rebuild I built it with flat tops, main studs 461 casting 2.02's and a tunnel ram. Built the motor without anyones help, just used what I had learned from a friends older brother that had a 71 chevelle at the time along with using the book "how to rebuild a small block chevy" from HP publications. That motor ran great with no probs for the 3 yrs I owned it so I guess I did good enough for a first rebuild. (see pic)

Built many sbc&bbc as well as a couple ponchos and a ford 390 in the years following that build. Learned everything I know from people I use to hang around with, books and magazines as well as just plain trial&error. On top of that I'm a certified TIG welder cert'ed by OSHA for welding overhead lifting fixtures and have been a welder/fabricator for the last 12 years or so.

I would rate myself as a "shadetree mechanic" with a decent amount of experiance, but there will alway be someone with more know-how than I, just as there will always be someone with a faster car.

I miss that ol' techie. I need to talk him into comming back like I did with Pro60... :D

I started out in an autobody shop,,,then moved on to the heavy duty trade( Diesel ),,,spent 30 years learning what i know now,,,and i'm proud to say i'm still learning,,i have made blunders,,and i've hit the nail on the head equally as well.
I got my tickets and qualifications but it don't mean diddly on the job,,,and i've learned more from the old timers than i ever learned at trade school.
I find the guy's on this board are a pretty decent bunch and if you add up all the experience they have and share you'll come out ahead every time.
And i happen to like working in the shade of a tree.

:3dSMILE:

Experience?? There's a lot of folks with degrees (and multiple degrees) on here. As for actual experience there's people on here who have never built a rod, and people on here who have done nothing but build hot rods for many years. Opinions are what really abound on CHR!! That's what makes the site interesting, informative, and a fun place to hang out.

Started out in a Chryler/Plymouth/International Truck dealership in 68 (Ahhh the muscle car era).

70-71 Bailey Tech School (Auto Diesel Tech) in St Louis.

About a year in body shop doing frame repair, alignment, mechanical repair.

A 20 year stint in the army with primary specility in Military Intellignece and secondary specility as a Wheeled Vehicle-Power Generator Mechanic (now theres a combination). When I was assigned to the smaller detachments I held the additional duty as unit motor sergeant. Usually lived in the base craft shop in my off duty time building my cars and making a few bucks working on others peoples.

Retired and went to work in a friends independent garage for 5 years.

Opened my own shop specilizing in building, restoring and modifying classic cars, hot rods and Harley-Davidsons for the last 7 years. Was pretty well know in the area for doing Dual Quad and Tri-Power setups.

I've kicked back a little now and work part time for a government contractor and have turned the shop pretty much into my hobby shop so I can get some of MY project cars done while I'm still able.

You should never stop learning, challenging yourself or settling for doing less than your capable of.

Growing up in a family of mechanics it was hard for me not to pick up this trade also. Started with small engines when I was strong enough to pull that starter cord I had to wrap around the flywheel. Never owned my own business, but did enough work on friends cars to make it enjoyable. Did just about any repair job that came along. Nowadays I work as a machinist in a one person shop. I rebuild and repair, and sometimes re-invent mechanical parts that are no longer available. Where could you buy a set of motor mounts for a Moretti, or a set of engine valves for a 1924 Mercedes? Right here. Dealing with "antiquers" wanting to keep their numbers matching cars all original gives me the opportunity to learn something new every day.

Just registered last night after finding this site. Alot of really good advise and not so good passed along.(nice checks and balances) For those out there with busted knuckles, grease imbedded in their fingernails, multiple scars, etc etc. experience comes from doing. Resume's are for those looking for a job, not giving free advise. God I love this site. Just my opinion. 50yrs young and enough arthritis and scars to make it a labor of love.

I have worked as a design engineer designing prototype machinery and automation for 40 years (started as a draftsman with a large engineering company in 1965) 5 year apprenticeship +5 years college night school. I just plain love machinery. I had a nasty uncle, who taught me at a tender age to drink whiskey, play the fiddle, and wrench on old cars (sometimes all at the same time). Got my first car when I was 14 or 15, learned to fix it because I had no money to pay someone else to. I am one of the worlds luckiest men, as I have been able to combine a professional career centered around machinery, and a life long hobby as a hot rodder. I no longer play the fiddle, and I only drink whiskey on odd numbered days, but Damn, I still love wrenching on them old cars.

i guess im a youngin next to the old folks most of you guys got kids my age 04/70:3dSMILE: