What are the top 10 mistakes you see new builders make.
All the best
Creep
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What are the top 10 mistakes you see new builders make.
All the best
Creep
Not a pro builder, but the #1 mistake is overcamming a street motor.
#2 mistake would be not knowing the static compression ratio and trying to choose a cam. You MUST know the SCR to choose a cam.
I'm not a pro-builder either, but besides over camming, over carbing an engine is a mistake.
My big one is trying to get an engine to run 160-180 degrees-210 isnt that hot,and they run more efficiently.
Are you talking car building,engine building?
Not a pro builder either, but if you are talking about a complete car build, here are some mistakes I see some beginners make:
1) They try to run before they can walk. For their very first project they try to tackle a complete, from scratch car build. Most of us started out by pulling chrome trim off of 50 Fords then working up to slightly more ambitious tasks as we gained the skills and equipment to do so. In a lot of cases jumping right into a complete car build only leads to frustration and a project that never gets finished.
2) Underestimating the amount of money and time it takes to build a car. Someone on here has a tag line that reads something like "It is going to take twice as much as you thought and cost three times as much (or similar). That is a very accurate statement, even for guys who have done it before.
3) Newbies to this hobby try to reinvent the wheel too often. I see it all the time where someone is building a car and tries to do something so different, just so their car won't be like others , that they ignore good construction techniques. THERE IS A REASON CERTAIN THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE A CERTAIN WAY FOR 100 YEARS, BECAUSE THEY WORK. :)
4) Not taking the advice of others who have done this before is a biggie. We have all seen someone come on here, or another forum, and ask for advice, and when he/she gets it they start arguing and telling you that they are going to go 180 out of phase with what everyone has suggested. Yes, it is your car and your money, but when more seasoned car people take the time to sit down and type out their best recommendations it is not because we are trying to belittle your ideas. In most cases, we are trying to keep you and every other car you meet on the highway safe.
5) Using substandard/ uncommon parts. This is especially true on some of the rat rod forums I am a member of. Guys start out by finding the front axle assembly from a, let's say, 1929 Graham, and want to use it under their rod. Now they want to adapt 40 Ford spindles and disc brakes and wonder why they are having trouble mating the two. There are builders on here who could machine and modify the parts and make them work, but 99% of us can't. It is way better to stay with readily available, more common parts and keep it simple.
6) Trying to cheap your way through a build. We all have budgets and try to save some money on our projects where we can, however sometimes you HAVE to spend some money to do something correctly. Let's face it, you are building a complete car from the parts bin and that costs money. Save up and buy the right parts the first time, rather than using something that is not right for the job and will only give you trouble later. There were many times I had to squirrel a few bucks a pay away until I could save up enough money to buy an expensive part, but in the end it was a good investment. The radiator on my 27 is a perfect example.........I had to save up to get the $ 600 it cost me, but I am using that same radiator today and it is over 20 years old.
Well, that's all I've got. :D BTW, good subject for a thread, thanks for bringing it up.
Don
I'm not a pro builder either, but the biggest mistake I have seen is there is no plan for their build. I think they see a car and go "that's what I want". They start putting things together then realize, where am I going to put the battery, gas tank, and wiring? Soon realizing they have built themselves into a corner. When you start cutting up your project because you didn't plan all this out in advance it gets discouraging. I think in the early stages of hot rodding you should use the KISS theory. :)
Ken
I have not built one either but I have read that alot of guys cut the hole for the steering collum wrong!!! Or not in the right place.
Kurt
You been looking over my shoulder when I cut that hole, Kurt? I have never hit one exactly right the first time yet. :o:LOL:Quote:
Originally Posted by vara4
Don
i over cam and over carb on purpose .. its` all about image to me .. iv`e never had anyone challenge my stang just cause they hear it and think it will go ..( it really wont get out of it`s on way cause it`s got too much cam and carb )
Another thing I see that bothers me is an inconsistency in style. This comes from not knowing the difference between concepts like modern, retro, traditional, etc. I see it all the time. I once saw a beautifully executed '32 3 Window highboy with IFS, 20 inch wheels, a 4-piece hood with vents in the side, and a stock gas tank hanging out the back. You have to choose a style and be consistent.
amen brother !!!!Quote:
underestimating the amount of money and time it takes to build a car. Someone on here has a tag line that reads something like "it is going to take twice as much as you thought and cost three times as much (or similar). That is a very accurate statement, even for guys who have done it before.
Not a pro builder here either, but I deal with the hot rod community in my job everyday.
Biggest thing I get is guys who always build the car, make tons of HP and then the cooling system is always an after thought. If you are going to make 500+ HP for the street or mount a blower, you will make lots more heat. The stock radiator you got out of the scrap yard will not cool it. When builing a HP motor I always suggest building the cooling system to be able to dissipate the extra heat.
Trying to stuff a square peg in a round hole. Make tons of power but not one thought was used on safety.
doing it for a living in the first place...............
This is what I see.
first of all build a car for the fun and the love of doing it and not to win every show you go too.
Build a car that is fun to drive and not one that will set a land speed record and have to ride on a trailer
build on a budget so when you get to the end of the build you don't cut corners
Ask question before you pay stupid tax, what you see us pros do can be done by anyone at home. Before I opened my shop I built my own cars at home and did just as good.I didn't have as much room but didn't build but one at a time.
build a car that flows together well and doesn't have a lot of stuff that stands out.
KISS
keep it simple stupid
Never ever put hood sides on a 32 ford roadster. What a bitch. Lol
Becoming obsessed with deatils in places that do not matter......
I spent as much time on the bottom of my cab on the truck as the the top of the hood....
Needless to say it was overkill and no one but me and maybe the muffler guy knows it looks perfect under there.....sure some builds call for that attention to detail,but some definatly do not.
Some good prep and a sealant was all that would have been required ,instead I worked it like a body panel and even filled the the spot welds with a wire feed ,I was obsessed with no body filler at all on my ride...for some silly reason I had it in my head body filler was bad ,bondo was evil and to be avoided , untill one day I watched Boyd do a 200,000 dollar plus ride with a entire skim coat to get it perfect for paint.
I have now come to realize accepted methods properly done are perfectly acceptable and standard and make the job alot easier....plus after countless hours filling panels with wire from the welder and countless hours of grinding/file work ,I realized I could have done 3 trucks with the effort I put into one.....I will say I got really good with alternative techniques on the wire feed though .....
Everything mentioned soo far has been spot on in this thread....
Great information for someone just getting started.........
Don`t be scared to do some research/lisyen to those who have done it before either ,it pays off in work and money saved !
One of the big mistakes I’ve seen over the years is not sitting down and REALISTICALLY figuring out what you want the car/truck to be and do before you spend the first dime or turn the first bolt. Is the car going to be a daily driver, race car, show car…….are you looking for era correct or something with all the latest bells and whistles. A big consideration is how much drivability are you willing to give up for visual appeal or performance?
If you’re planning on putting the car on the track, read the rule book and incorporate the requirements into build so you don’t have any surprises the first try to go thru tech inspection.
The drive train should be considered as a complete package with consideration given to engine RPM range and where the engine will make the best power, transmission type (and stall speed required if an automatic) along with rear end ratio and tire size.
The same type of consideration should be given to the other major portions of the project like brakes, suspension and cooling system.
There will usually be some alterations to the original plan as the build progresses but a major change in the direction of the build in mid project or completing one that turns out not to meet your expectations can be a very expensive and frustrating proposition.
I’ve heard the phrase “ plan the build and build the plan” before and it’s good advice.
you have to take control of the build. some customers will read a new magazine and change their mind about everything. the absolute most important tool i own is a voice activated pocket recorder . it will put a stop to any and all arguments about what is to be done. everybody is happy.:3dSMILE:
Ya think ???????????????:mad::mad:Quote:
Originally Posted by sg4356
The difference is "you know the way it's built" and to me that is all that matters. Just as you said you became a more proficient welder and body man. I think anybody that spends the extra time to do it until it meets there expectations is better off in car building. I take my hat off to people that go the extra mile. Just doing this hobby to the best of your ability, not how much you spend. When you drive that thing down the road you know, and that's all that matters.Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnlee28
I hope you take this as a compliment, because that's how it is meant.
Ken
Another thing that I just thought of is to always remember this is something we do for FUN. When it stops being fun stop for a day, week, month, etc until you feel like doing it again. All of us suffer burn out at certain stages of the build. You start seeing little progress, the money you are spending starts eating at you (why am I eating $ 1.00 burgers and putting hundreds into this stupid car?:mad:), and it seems like there is no end in sight. We have all been there, and sometimes all the cuts, burns, bruises, and complaints from our better half take their toll. Just back away, take a break, and put it into perspective. Some builds take 6 months, some take 15 years............there is no set timetable.
Just keep it fun. :D
Don
I don't even want to think of what I changed during my car build that has cost a good many bucks:
- rear discs for drums. The brakes were relatively cheap, the wheels and tires to clear that new caliper arrangement..........:CRY:
- deciding not to use a/c in a roadster. It was originally bought for a sedan, so I spent $$$ to install in the final build - then didn't use it. Oh well, there will probably be one more car it will fit:toocool:
- Glide seats. Beautiful seats, nicely covered - but I'm too big for them and to be able to reach the pedals without hitting my chin with a knee. New Eddie Barrett seats are on the way:o
- Then there were the three trip to the E-room for wounds!!
I did a full plan, developed a budget, did an Excel spread sheet for the first 2 years, a Word Doc for a parts list and luckily only exceeded my budget by 2.5 X and the build time by 3X. But the engine, tranny, differential were all within the scope and budget (within 1.5X). The rest - OUCH. But I'm happy with what I have and could duplicate it for my original budget (plus inflation dollars) with the experiences I've had. It was a vertical learning curve and it kept me out of watering holes populated by folks of less then a positive view on life plus away from ladies with plans not including my wife
Definatly taken as a compliment coming from you :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Ken Thurm
I feel good about the build and have learned alot along the way....there is no substitute for doing the job the best you can and the way that makes you feel at the end of the day.
I am sure its one of those things certain people will notice and say "Wow it even looks good on the bottom side " ....:) even if they do not say anything to me.
Take pride in whatever you do and it will turn out excellent!
The biggest mistake i find is make a plan and stick to it, deviate from the plan and it will never get done.