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Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... a Mechanic....a mechanic enough to do absolutely every repair on your A yourself or do you only do what we called in the military, 1st echelon maintenance, check oil levels, air pressure, lights, etc. Do you seek out someone more qualified than your self to do the work, are you "edjamakated' enough in mechanical know-how to read and learn and then do.
I know the answer from some is quite obvious but some times, rarely though, the experts might need help with something, just having someone hold a wrench............. I did a bit of 2nd echelon work on Sarah last winter with the help and direction from those here who knew what I didn't but no way could I venture into many things Larry did and will be doing over this winter. I'm just not that 'edjamakated' nor do I have the interest nor do I have the tools or the proper place. Hey, some are lovers and some are mechanics!!! Which one or you?????????????????????? :D |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... juz came in fer lunch, ben working on the A all mawnin'. Don't kno whut echlon I am, but I do everything but pour the babbit and line bore the block.
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... " Don't kno whut echlon I am, but I do everything but pour the babbit and line bore the block."
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1st Echelon....Operator level 2nd Echelon...Company or Battery level 3rd Echelon....Battalion level 4th Echelon ...Depot |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... Mr. Grit,
Clearly some Model A owners have the skills to do most anything on their cars --some not.. That does not make those who can better men/women, but they are just more experienced. At this point, I've done all the work on my car myself and will continue to. If I have to pull the engine etc. one day, I'll have at... There is no other way to learn, slow and document the process with notes and photos is my plan when that day comes.... I did not know jack about repairing my silly Apple Macbook after a dump ass coffee spill... 55 screws held the damn keyboard to the app case... $28 vs $1,200 from Apple... I learned somethings... and then some... I figure the same with my 31'. |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... Being an FAA certified A&P who has been bending wrenches since I was 8 and now work as a certified Crown Equipment forktruck tech/ maintenance trainer I can fix almost anything that comes along. Before the last 8 years of medical and financial hell I was learning to pour bearings. Hoping things in the next few years will improve to the point I can work on this persuit again. Have some scrap blocks that I am also going to start figuring out what I need to do with my kwikway line bore set up to hopefully start machining blocks for inserts also. I am not going to vote as I think these Polls are pure BS, but judge for yourself by my answer. Rod
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I do what I know I can do, ask for help for things I'm unsure of, and on others, I let the professionals who really do know what they are doing -- do their thing.
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I do about everything except engine machining.
Bob |
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I can do most every thing that needs to be on many engines, dis assembling inspecting and re assembling, I am not trained or do I have the equipment to do the heavy machine work, boring, cam and crank grinding and line boring, so I don't really now where I fit in the question, but I believe most of the guys in here fit in with me, we are the ones you want on your tours to fix most of the problems that occur on the road, the ones who keep your week end from being ruined
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... im 32 when i was 16 after having my first car for 4 days a 1988 grand prix 3.1l fwd I slid into a curb bending the front cradle frame. my dad had a freind in the junk yard biz and got me a used cradle for 150. and he was pissed that i ruined a car in just 4 days. so i stayed out of the house and in the garage for a while by myself. other than stripping out the rack and costing me another 75$ and getting dad out there a few times when i hit road blocks(one was showing me the effectiveness of a breaker bar with 6ft of pipe slid over the end). I was on my way to being a one man army of auto restoration.
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... With luck I can charge the battery. As long as its an Optima and that only lasted for 14 months, so you'll see why I occasionally get on this site for a bit of advice. USMC trained tank mechanic.
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I'm with Vin Tin and Carlg. I am usually able to do something I was unsure of the first time, the next time it comes up or at least have confidence I could do it if required.
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... The less money I have the more work I do myself.
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... A great help in doing repair stuff, is to have a CURIOUS NATURE, a GREAT IMAGINATION, & JUST USE LOTS OF COMMON SENSE REASONING!
Bill W. |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I am in the same boat as a lot of people above. I do not do any machining. I do my own body and paint work as well as upholstery. I do not do Concurs quality but I am always proud to say I have done almost all the work on my cars!
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... Well I was a marine mechanic for about a year. I only worked on Chris Crafts, 105 Hercules, and a couple of 156s. Later, I owned a Trojan with a Fageol (Crosley) IO It had a Scott Atwater lower unit. I owned and repaired my first Chris, A 1932 16' with a Chyrsler UMC, mod B plymouth 4 cyl engine (Maxwell?) Later, I was into airplanes and had a 172 N with a O-320h2ad which I switched It was timed out at 2500+ hrs. Had a burned a valve. The specs called for it to be changed (the engine) to be changed at 2000 Hrs. I never got my A&P. Wish I Did, even thought about it Even took it in Vo Tech school, But..... I just did some of the work, with a real A&P looking over my shoulder, guiding me! Then I entered my tractor phase, 1 st was an 1938 Allis Chalmers. mod B, Then a 50s Farmall Mod H, Then a 1952 Ford 8N, and then a Case 580E backhoe. All are gone except the backhoe, It's just too handy! While all this was going on I owned the usual assortment of cars of the late forties, and fifties, and sixties. All of which I have a strong resentment against my parents for making me get rid of them. Starting with a 49 ford, 3 51s, a 54 convert, with a 57 T bird 312, a57 Buick (Factory Std Shift) A59 Edsel convertible, a 59 TR3 and on and on and on Yawn. 47 Merc Conv. 46 Merc coupe. Chev 3200 PU , 64 galaxy, 68 spitfire. If you don't have the picture by now you ain't gonna get it . There was much to do and I did most of it. I rebuilt a few engines, I swapped a few Rears and trannies, brake jobs and various other repairs with the help of manuals and knowlegible. Plus I was working as a machinist/tool and diemaker/model maker. So am I echelon 1 2 3 or 4? I don't know! But I can fix almost everything on an older car, new cars have too much electronics. I don't get it. It's been fun!
Terry |
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This is a first 80$ to help your mechanic:-) What are going to charge just to sit and watch him work ;-) keep warm, take some beverages |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... There should be a choice for us that do everything but pour Babbitt and line bore. Where does this fit in?
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I can do most of the work myself until the need for truly professionals like lathe work, mill work and babbit pouring . Lucky enough to be able to read a manual, and look at beak apart diagrams, and schematics to repair most everything. Worked on autos since 15, then an Electonics technician for about 10 years, then an Electrical Engineer plus Computer Science for over 32 years. Will tackle just about any job, but do know enough to leave it to professionals when above my expertise. Learned long time ago, breaking things because you were in over your head was more costly than hiring a professional.
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... So far I've done it all
I've worked on helicopters to the space shuttle, currently I manage maintenance (depot) on KC-135 tankers/B-52 bombers. I'm the Supervisor now, but I have almost 40 years of aircraft experience, I've had my '57 Chevy for going on forty years, so the Model A does not scare me, just some things I need to learn. Sometimes I do break things when I learn, one thing I have not really learned...slow down. |
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Sonny, you're welcome to do that.... and looking forward to getting Sarah soon so she's good and ready for spring! I was fortunate to have a good mechanical aptitude and a mentor to "A's" and so as you know do all my own work, both mechanical, body, Paint, Babbitt pouring and machine work with the exception of turning cranks and cams. I'm a tool nut and an avid KR Wilson and Ford Heyer test set junkie. I can't imagine not having the tools and equipment to do the job. I'm self taught in much of it but I can't take all the credit. I had a great mentor and since deceased friend Terry Oberer. Some of the forum members older than me may remember him. I enjoy working on "A"'s... pretty much do so 7 days a week with a break or so every now and then. Also schooled in flathead V8's and others. I've enjoyed driving and touring everywhere in the "A's" from the Pikes Peak to the east and many long distance tours. Model A Folks are the best! Larry Shepard |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... Not sure where I fit in on this either ...but I don't do plating so that disqualifies me from doing everything too.
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... The Dog sed that only FATHER TIME separates the "MEN" frum the "BOYS"---Then he LAFFED---OK, smart ass, you sleep in the FLOOR tonite-LOL
Bill Mad |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... Are you or are you not????
1-I don't know a thing and I contract out. 2-I learn by doing as I go along but still need physical help. 3-I do all the work myself. 4-I just sit back and supervise with a beer. I used to be a 3. Now that I have paid peons, I am a 4, except it is a martoonie instead of a beer. |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I do everything except major engine machining, for which I don't have equipment. I have done several frame off restores, except for babbit and grind work.
As I get older though, I am getting not strong enough for the really heavy work. Changing out a rear axle will require some real thought and a lot of rest. I have a small lathe and mill, so can do little bits. No longer have an oxy-actylene set, but still have a MIG welder for light work. No place to do anything more than spray can paint work these days. I have as much fun as I want, I reckon. John |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I've been restoring and fiddling with old cars and motorcycles for at least 40 years now. I started working on cars when I was first together with my wife, and we didn't have much money. Many times, I HAD to figure out how to fix something on a car so we could get to work the next day, with the meager tools I had.
After I got into Skilled Trades, and did my Apprenticeship in Diemaking, I really started to become a real mechanic, taking on just about everything on a vehicle, other than machining cylinders. My abilities, and my collection of tools has expanded greatly over the years. To me, what makes someone a real mechanic is the knowledge to have a "plan B"-that is, knowing more than one way to solve a problem. |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I don't have lathes and mills and babbit pouring stuff so I cannot rebuild engines. I don't have the talent and tools to create fenders and such. I have to borrow tools, and talent from others. So with that I cannot answer "do it all".
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... Every thing minus body paint
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I guess we are missing the definition of "mechanic". For purposes of this poll does a mechanic pour babbit, or install insert bearings in a raw block? Does a mechanic do sheet metal work, paint cars and pinstripping?
I find it interesting that so many chose "I do all the work myself". Do we have engine builders and fabricators here we don't know about? |
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... I'm a darn good "parts-changer" and in no way can I call myself a mechanic.;) I have real respect for a true mechanic and do not hesitate
to call on one if and when needed.:cool: Fortunately, I have good friends who are either better parts-changers or real mechanics. Who help me out when I need it. They are a major part of my life let alone my hobby.:) Bob-A:D |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... Like I have always told my son's, being a good engineer is not about what you have learned and know already. It is about having no fear to take something apart to fix or improve. That is me. Obviously not capable of precision machining, painting body work or plating. But our wonderful Model A's allow anyone who wants to try, to be able to do just about everything else!
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Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... And when you "THINK" you know "EVERYTHING", you're REALLY IN TROUBLE!
Sometimes I PLAY DUMB, to get out of workin' on some CHEEP Guys' car! Bill W. |
Re: Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question.... This thread was very amusing...
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