Professor Fate
Push the button, Max...
I'll admit, this is part advice/part old man rant, and not about this forum in particular- please indulge me for a bit.
If you're new to the hobby, I applaud you- I've spent countless hours with inquisitive young minds explaining things, showing how things are done, and "talking up" the camaraderie of the hobby. I like to think I've inspired a few of them on to bigger things.
If you have little experience spinning wrenches, then you need to be honest about your limitations in this regard, and work on that... The market is full of other people's projects that looked so easy on TV shows, but once started, they realized how far in over their heads they were. Too many decent cars go to the crusher because their owners weren't ready for what they were getting into.
Don't let that deter you, though! If you truly are interested, expand your knowledge base first. Go to car shows, ask questions- most owners love to talk about their cars and how they were built. You learn things and make friends that can be invaluable later. Spend time reading, watching videos, or talking with the old-timer down the road if he has the time. Spending your time watching funny cat videos only goes so far. Expand your mind and learn how to LEARN.
Instead of posting "Who makes a kit to put a 392 in my Horizon- that'd be KOOL", do something more mundane: drag home that old beat-up garden tractor the neighbor has in his front yard with the "FREE" sign on it. Instead of buying that new $1,000 iPhone, go to Sears (okay, my old age is showing) and buy a decent set of hand tools- you'll have them for the rest of your life, as opposed to the iPhone which will be obsolete in 6 months. Now start tearing apart that lawn mower. Learn how each of the components work and the principles behind them. Learn how to organize and document your work so you'll know how it all goes back together. Repair and reassemble things as you go, and before you know it you'll have something to use or to sell for some extra pocket money-maybe even sell it back to that neighbor who was giving it away!
Work your way up- maybe that old pickup truck that's sitting behind the local garage could be had for a song before it goes to the wrecker. You've got some money from selling the mower, right? Repeat the process, again learning as you go. What's the worst that could happen? You sell it for parts, or get scrap price for it; that's where it was headed for anyways! The knowledge you've gained, however, is priceless!
By now you've gotten to know some people and make some contacts, real world local people, not just faceless screen names on the internet (no offense to FABO! The internet is invaluable!
). They can start hooking you up with advice, parts, and potential projects. And help when called for!
NEVER stop growing your mind or your experiences!
Before you know it, YOU will be the one being asked for advice.
And you'll feel a lot more confident tackling that 392 Horizon (or not!)!
End of commentary.
If you're new to the hobby, I applaud you- I've spent countless hours with inquisitive young minds explaining things, showing how things are done, and "talking up" the camaraderie of the hobby. I like to think I've inspired a few of them on to bigger things.
If you have little experience spinning wrenches, then you need to be honest about your limitations in this regard, and work on that... The market is full of other people's projects that looked so easy on TV shows, but once started, they realized how far in over their heads they were. Too many decent cars go to the crusher because their owners weren't ready for what they were getting into.
Don't let that deter you, though! If you truly are interested, expand your knowledge base first. Go to car shows, ask questions- most owners love to talk about their cars and how they were built. You learn things and make friends that can be invaluable later. Spend time reading, watching videos, or talking with the old-timer down the road if he has the time. Spending your time watching funny cat videos only goes so far. Expand your mind and learn how to LEARN.
Instead of posting "Who makes a kit to put a 392 in my Horizon- that'd be KOOL", do something more mundane: drag home that old beat-up garden tractor the neighbor has in his front yard with the "FREE" sign on it. Instead of buying that new $1,000 iPhone, go to Sears (okay, my old age is showing) and buy a decent set of hand tools- you'll have them for the rest of your life, as opposed to the iPhone which will be obsolete in 6 months. Now start tearing apart that lawn mower. Learn how each of the components work and the principles behind them. Learn how to organize and document your work so you'll know how it all goes back together. Repair and reassemble things as you go, and before you know it you'll have something to use or to sell for some extra pocket money-maybe even sell it back to that neighbor who was giving it away!
Work your way up- maybe that old pickup truck that's sitting behind the local garage could be had for a song before it goes to the wrecker. You've got some money from selling the mower, right? Repeat the process, again learning as you go. What's the worst that could happen? You sell it for parts, or get scrap price for it; that's where it was headed for anyways! The knowledge you've gained, however, is priceless!
By now you've gotten to know some people and make some contacts, real world local people, not just faceless screen names on the internet (no offense to FABO! The internet is invaluable!
). They can start hooking you up with advice, parts, and potential projects. And help when called for!NEVER stop growing your mind or your experiences!
Before you know it, YOU will be the one being asked for advice.
And you'll feel a lot more confident tackling that 392 Horizon (or not!)!
End of commentary.
