My 1 buddy said it best: I used to think the manuals were for the stupid mechanics, but I was wrong. Kim
Advice for all you car people!
- Thread starter Kern Dog
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dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
Speaking for myself but im sure others can relate, its not that we want it on a silver platter its just sometimes I don't understand what I'm being told because iv never done it before. You can give the simplest answer ever but if I have never done it I don't know what your talking about. Sometimes you have to remember that not everyone has done it hundreds of times. I will give an example since its fresh on my mind. @318willrun was explaining to me setting timing and he said advance it then check for starter drag. That's probably the best answer anyone could give but I had no clue what starter drag ment. Once he explained started I drag knew exactly what he was talking about I have experienced that in one of my old dodge trucks but had no clue what is was called or what caused it. That was a great learning experience for me. I guess my point is sometimes answers can be broke down into another question. So when giving advice keep that in mind and not get aggravated if we keep asking questions lol and of course this post isnt aimed towards you just in general.
We also have to realize that not everyone can comprehend the advice given. Not everyone is a whiz. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 times to get the point across. Me included. Kim
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
Yes that is a very good way of saying what I was trying to say! Haha thanks
I made it thru school even college, but I admit I am Dislexit ( the puter won't spell it for me!). I can see many things backwards, upside down, transpose numbers. The electronics, wiring is what I can have so much trouble with. I have to say I do appreciate all those that have explained it all to me. I have to make copies and keep in a FSM to refer back to. It is something about it all that I can not maintain in my stupid head!!!!! Go figure. (NO, I am not a Dem.!)
That's a goodun right there. lol
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
I feel your pain im dyslexic also! Numbers are are harder for me than letters. But I often find myself writing letters backwards. I can't remember numbers to save my life its getting worse the older I get. I can be looking up a part number let's say its 10-318 by the time I can pull up my search engine im typing in 01-381 or 831 etc etc. I have a Samsung note phone now so I use the little pin to screen feature alot now that is helpful. Reading is a nightmare too. Especially long explanations. That's why I'm much more a hands on and visual learner! I really like youtube.
Well if you never done it or you don't know what someone is talking about that's when the FSM will really clear it up. It gives you diagrams to actually look at to compare to what someone is telling you.
The timing thing is a perfect example though of something you'll not see in any manual. I don't think I've ever seen mention of starter drag in anyone's manual. And that's because all service manuals only speak of timing in stock spec terms.
And the keeping asking questions part wasn't regarding anything like any of this. It's when someone asks the same question over and over again expecting the answer they want to hear. It's almost never that simple.
So am I. I found out I was dyslexic when I was hurt on the job and went through all the testing I did. Imagine that. I went completely through school never knowing it. The doctor said it was amazing I ever made it, that somehow my brain had adapted. I don't write or type words backwards. It's more like inside out. I do it all the time making posts here and on facebook. That's why I always go over something before I enter it. Sometimes I miss something, find it later and correct it. I'm also the same way regarding seeing something. I've asked many a person here to post a picture of what they're talking about because I'm not a good visualizer. At ALL.
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
Yea I haven't either. I have 3 different books and none of them give a description on setting timing. There is one book that even has a section and its like one sentence long that says set the timing with a timing light. That's it haha
Our auto instructor told us for best performance....which of course is what we were all lookin for, lol "set the timing so it drags the starter when hot and back off till it stops. As long as it wasn't pinging, it was good." And honestly, except for really precise street or really hot race builds, he was right. He didn't mention limiting total timing, because he knew right there most of us didn't get that involved......two of us already were. LOL
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
Im not a good visualizer either I have to see it or do it. I don't remember what it was but I was doing something, and asked a question and I can't remember who it was (it may have been you lol) was explaining it to me but I just didn't get it at all. Until I went out and done it then I was like omg he explained that perfectly! Haha
Edit i just remember what it was and it was you, it was when I was doing my carrier bearing in my rear gear
Try having those limitations while working in construction.
I've dealt with the same thing. A blueprint helps but nothing compared to full scale examples right in front of you. I have started off on a bare concrete slab and looked at a set of plans and wondered how the building will fit together as designed.
I cannot pick out designs or colors for a house without seeing another house as an example. Some people can visualize the decor and drapes and make it happen. Not me!
dartfreak75
Restore it, Dont part it!
Thats the wife's department im the builder haha
I was lucky because my Dad told me at age 16 (1972) if I wanted to drive his cars, I needed to take an auto mechanics class. It changed my life! Not only did I learn a lot of practical applied stuff, but I also learned how to logically and systematically try to fix issues (and not just on a car). Over the years, I hung out at body shops and mechanical shops when the guys were building race cars at night. When my car broke down and I couldn't fix it, these guys helped me out with advice, hands on instruction and even parts.
Now I'm almost 65 and I get a great deal of joy in helping hard working young people (or even hard working and inexperienced older folks) work on their old Mopars. I feel the same way about folks asking for help on FABO. Lots of people taught me and helped me and now it's my turn to help others. I really doubt if there are many experienced folks here on FABO that haven't had that kind of help when they were young and/or inexperienced. And there still plenty that I don't know, and even though I get steamed some times because of demeaning and insulting responses, most folk here are actually trying to help others and I really appreciate it.
Now I'm almost 65 and I get a great deal of joy in helping hard working young people (or even hard working and inexperienced older folks) work on their old Mopars. I feel the same way about folks asking for help on FABO. Lots of people taught me and helped me and now it's my turn to help others. I really doubt if there are many experienced folks here on FABO that haven't had that kind of help when they were young and/or inexperienced. And there still plenty that I don't know, and even though I get steamed some times because of demeaning and insulting responses, most folk here are actually trying to help others and I really appreciate it.
This right here. I learned my lesson. Your time is valuable. As you get older it becomes precious. Customers son has decided to take on the maintenance. Now has questions. Screw that, he will eff it up anyway and i will have to pick up the pieces. I hate sloppy seconds…
i offer free advice, on my time and of my own free will. If i get pestered then its a different story.
One thing i will never ask advice for:
Camshaft anything. I cant wrap my head around the whole picture,where some of you are brilliant on this topic.
I get it at a individual level,but rattle off all the specs at once,my brain goes to mush.
Camshaft anything. I cant wrap my head around the whole picture,where some of you are brilliant on this topic.
I get it at a individual level,but rattle off all the specs at once,my brain goes to mush.
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