I'm encouraged, and it's a bit refreshing

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318willrun

Utube channel 318willrun
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Especially in the last 9 months, I've had an abundance of emails, PM's and comments on FABO and youtube from young people getting into the hobby. In all honesty, they echo each other a lot. It helps rest the fears of .....
  • our fears of "no-one" left that cares about cars
  • our fears all cars will be electric
  • our fears Government will end the hobby
  1. My approach is different. In other words, my way is telling them "it's ok to use the heads, even if the guides are a little worn". "Yep, a ball hone will work fine". Leaving power on the table? I'd rather them see 80% of the power potential in a build they can afford than tell them "in another 2200 dollars, you'll get to play". Once they lay a 20 ft black mark, make a pass at TnT, take a date to the local drive in, or even hear the cam out the back tail pipe, they start to fall in love. Failure doesn't stop love. Getting beat won't stop love. Love will drive them to learn more, plan the next steps, map out the next build, and keep this hobby going. They are young, they are tax payers, and they vote.
I'm simply encouraged, that's all :)
 
Words to live by, "You never know if it will work unless you try it". If you try & fail try again, &/or ask for guidance. We here at FABO will answer any questions presented. Just keep in mind, a lot of us have been at the hobby a bunch of years. We are not trying to dissuade the young guns, we are just trying to direct them away from mistakes we have made in the past.
 
I obviously won't share the pictures they send me, or too much info, but for example when a 22 yr old sends a picture of a '89 Van and trying to work on a 318, or a '85 Dodge truck and he's piecing together a 318, and many many more that have shared their projects with me, I'm encouraged. Us old guys gotta remember the baby steps. We crawl before we walk, we walk before we run.
 
I relate to 318willriun's philosophy ( big word for me). Not everyone in our hobby, has to have the most expensive, fastest, prettiest, bestest (is that a word?), or not everyone can or wants to pay someone else to do the work.
So many people, younger or older, want to learn and expand their knowledge and abilities, not just sign a check.
For the average person to last in our hobby, they must 1. realize not every old car they drag home will always be a permanent resident there, so they need to be able to get their $$ back out when they sell. So they must learn to do most of its work. And keep the wife happy!?
2. Learn to think for themselves, do not read and then believe what everyone else or mag says they must do to be a "member". Not everyone must have a $3500 stroker or a "desirable" model to realize happiness in the hobby!
Learnng is fun, and smiles per $, per gallon, per mile is where its at!?
 
Especially in the last 9 months, I've had an abundance of emails, PM's and comments on FABO and youtube from young people getting into the hobby. In all honesty, they echo each other a lot. It helps rest the fears of .....
  • our fears of "no-one" left that cares about cars
  • our fears all cars will be electric
  • our fears Government will end the hobby
  1. My approach is different. In other words, my way is telling them "it's ok to use the heads, even if the guides are a little worn". "Yep, a ball hone will work fine". Leaving power on the table? I'd rather them see 80% of the power potential in a build they can afford than tell them "in another 2200 dollars, you'll get to play". Once they lay a 20 ft black mark, make a pass at TnT, take a date to the local drive in, or even hear the cam out the back tail pipe, they start to fall in love. Failure doesn't stop love. Getting beat won't stop love. Love will drive them to learn more, plan the next steps, map out the next build, and keep this hobby going. They are young, they are tax payers, and they vote.
I'm simply encouraged, that's all :)

there’s a few up and coming. Unfortunately most read online what “has to be done” rather than how things work. Lots of fun and little money is how I did a lot when I was young. Because I figured out what did what and how. It’s that curiosity I dont see much of any more.
 
I agree in encouraging young people in anything thing legal that they want to do. That means "biting my lip" if I think their question or project is "stupid". It is not stupid to them. Allow them to learn and gain experience. Then they can become connoisseurs and opinionated old farts like me.
 
I agree in encouraging young people in anything thing legal that they want to do. That means "biting my lip" if I think their question or project is "stupid". It is not stupid to them. Allow them to learn and gain experience. Then they can become connoisseurs and opinionated old farts like me.
Nice! When I see a young man bring a St. Regis to a local car show, I tell him "don't see many of those any more, thanks for bringing it out". Makes a big difference, other than saying "those were the worst cars, grumble grumble..."
 
We need all the young guns we can get into the hobby. The young guys/gals are more into the rice rockets than anything. But I think that’s simply because the American Muscle Cars are out of reach financially. There is a young guy in my town with a 73 scamp and a 76 dart sport. I told him I would be happy to help him out. He needs some parts that I would be glad to give him along with my help. His dad said no. Go figure from a Chevy lover. Kim
 
They are into what they can get and afford. When I was 16 I could get V8 muscle cars for a part time after school job salary. Now it’s less about a salary and what you can afford on the stipend the ‘rents give them. Which means 4cylinder imports.
 
I have been flooded with contacts from teenagers and folks in their 20's this weekend working on older mopars. So great to hear from them, and lets me know this hobby is going to be cooking strong for a long time....
 
See my guide to Hot Rod Bliss. Nuff said.
 
This thread has a great perspective. Folks here should try and figure out what the skill level / real need is. There are experts here on about everything.

However, it sometimes goes overboard. A guy has a question about gas line. Somebody tells him only to use fuel injection hose. The next guy says to only use SS braided hose. The next guys says to use gold plated lines, etc, etc, etc. Pretty soon the poor guy with the junk car needs a $500 custom made fuel line.

It’s not that all of what is said isn’t true at some level, but we missed the point. The poor guy may go away discouraged.....
 
Thats great!! I think for teenagers it's a right of passage just that freedom of having a car. At least it was for me! And I just always liked old cars better lol. My Fear is that there won't be any left for the younger generation. With all the four doors and 73 and up cars and all the slant 6 cars getting parted and crushed and getting sacrificed for donors I just worry that "our" cars is all that's left. Granted there is a whole new generation of cars to work on with the 80s vans and trucks and 90s k cars and mustangs. The hobby is still alive but the classic cars are close to extinction.
 
Thats great!! I think for teenagers it's a right of passage just that freedom of having a car. At least it was for me! And I just always liked old cars better lol. My Fear is that there won't be any left for the younger generation. With all the four doors and 73 and up cars and all the slant 6 cars getting parted and crushed and getting sacrificed for donors I just worry that "our" cars is all that's left. Granted there is a whole new generation of cars to work on with the 80s vans and trucks and 90s k cars and mustangs. The hobby is still alive but the classic cars are close to extinction.
you are right, my friend! A lot of them are in 80's trucks, vans, and 4 door cars. I got pictures this weekend of them, and I'll tell ya, I tell them they have the coolest projects because I honestly like those vehicles too....
 
you are right, my friend! A lot of them are in 80's trucks, vans, and 4 door cars. I got pictures this weekend of them, and I'll tell ya, I tell them they have the coolest projects because I honestly like those vehicles too....
Me too! I love 80s trucks especially dodges. As a matter of fact I believe the 80s dodge is my favorite truck of all. And iv owned alot of trucks lol I really want another one but im leaning towards a ramcharger this time. I really like my newer dodge trucks (2001 yes its 20 years old and that's new to me lol) because of the reliably of the fuel injection and electronic ignition. I remember all the struggles I had getting my 85 and 86 to run when cold or rainy. One thing I'd love too do but idk if I would ever be able to afford it, is to get a ramcharger or another 80s ram truck and build a nice mild reliable small block with a Holley sniper or similar. But then again if I learn to tune carbs better maybe the cold starts want be an issue anymore!?!? Carb tuning is something im working on and looking forward to learning more of.
 
My buddy is the worlds worst mentor.
He is high performance all the way.

Another friend of mine took his mild, ready to assemble 454 to him, this is and engine for his mom and dads old nova they are building.
It was ready to assemble, all the parts were there.

My buddy checked it all over and said now is the time to build it right, because it was only going to end up at 8.1 compression, but that engine in a light nova would be plenty for two retired people to cruise around in.

Now and $10,000 later it is a lunati stroked, brodex head monster, which is too much.....
 
Most of us started with a dream of a high performance car. Whatever that may be to someone. Mine was a 1964 Barracuda 273 4 Speed. That poor car was a test mule for so much stuff, everything from the motor to the suspension. All the while being driven and run hard for 20 years and over 200,000 miles. My brother had a 65 Mustang and my best friend had a 70 1/2 Camaro. No reason to rain on any ones parade. Not everyone thinks or wants to be the worlds fastest. Most people just wanted a fast, reliable, comfortable, and efficient ride. That can be had with any MOPAR vehicle and engine.
 
I find most youth's are doing what they can afford..... They'd love to have a rust free '70 Cuda with a Hemi, but a '75 4 door valiant with a running 318 will have to due when they are working after school hrs at Subway.... And they'd love to replace the 318 with a 6500.00 dollar 408, but are trying to save to 650.00 to spend on the 318.
 
My Fear is that there won't be any left for the younger generation. With all the four doors and 73 and up cars and all the slant 6 cars getting parted and crushed and getting sacrificed for donors I just worry that "our" cars is all that's left. Granted there is a whole new generation of cars to work on with the 80s vans and trucks and 90s k cars and mustangs. The hobby is still alive but the classic cars are close to extinction.
After what 35 years in this hobby I have my first four door project, actually two. 62 Dart (B body) and 64 Belvedere. I love their shapes. I admit it may not make perfect sense $ wise, but hey it is a hobby. I got them cheap, I work cheap, and hey I am cheap!!!
Yea, I got a few 2 door projects also.
 
I made an observation at the Good Guys last month. I saw more traditional street rods driving around and a lot of them were being driven by younger owners, mid 20s to early 50s. Seems the hobby has taken a turn toward being more family friendly. Lots of wagons with larger families.
 
After what 35 years in this hobby I have my first four door project, actually two. 62 Dart (B body) and 64 Belvedere. I love their shapes. I admit it may not make perfect sense $ wise, but hey it is a hobby. I got them cheap, I work cheap, and hey I am cheap!!!
Yea, I got a few 2 door projects also.
62 darts are one of my favorite darts and probably my favorite b body. I'd love to have one even in a 4 door.
 
I've always liked what David Freiburger says:

"Don't get it right, just get it running."

I think that if people just take that step with an old car, the rest will come. Get some enjoyment out of it, then get it the way you want.
 
I've always liked what David Freiburger says:

"Don't get it right, just get it running."

I think that if people just take that step with an old car, the rest will come. Get some enjoyment out of it, then get it the way you want.
Yep I agree 100 percent I wish I would have had that mentality when I was younger. Lol that is where I'm at with my dart now. Just get it running then worry about everything else.
 
I started on here when I was 17 trying to see how to get more power out of the worn-out 318 2-bbl in my Duster lol. No YouTube channels back then on building cheap hot rod V8s. With the level my Duster is at now I've realized the pleasure in hopping-up a stock old Mopar like my D200 or the Fifth Avenue I used to have. They're so slow stock the gains are massive lol.

I meet tons of car guys/gals my age and they love the old American muscle but don't realize you don't need a '69 Hemi Charger or '71 Cuda to have fun. They also overestimate the work it takes to modify them because they're used to their over-complicated modern cars that take a week just to change out a starter. Heck you can change out an engine in an old Mopar faster than doing a timing belt on some new cars and that's "regular maintenance."
 
Big engine in a small car. Period. Doesn't matter if it's stock, mild or wild. It's gonna be a fun ride.
 
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