learning to fix cars

okiemom · #1 07/03/13, 08:58 AM

how does a almost 14 yr boy learn how to fix older cars? son wants to buy and learn how to fix up a truck someday like a 50s 5 window truck. how does he start? I understand his love of old things but have no idea how to help.

hubby and I don't do car repairs. all our cars are modern and we don't even change our own oil. we do a little with the tractors but if it is major the dealer fixes it. it would take too long and cost 3x more if we did it.

floyd242 · #2 07/03/13, 09:14 AM

I started with an old VW bus and a service manual (bently manual). I picked up the bus at a yard sale for $800 and got an old engine off craigslist for $250. I took the engine completely apart and just followed the manual replacing and rebuilding all the components. Luckily I had someone I could call if I ran into questions, I met him at a VW show. The people there are really friendly as long as they see your interest and you aren't trying to use them.

Older VWs are really easy to work on and they will teach you the basics on how an engine works. I could pull the engine and put it back in in a couple of hours, less if there was more than one person. There's also a huge community that are more than willing to help you out (thesamba.com).

Edit: if you go this route make sure you get something with an upright engine... The pancakes that came out in 72 are more expensive and harder to work on. All of the older beetles had upright engines.

Robotron · #3 07/03/13, 09:39 AM

Books, tools, and car are all needed. But the most important parts are drive by the son to learn and a good mentor that can help with advice and specialty tools when needed. Older cars are easier to work on but the knowledge base is being lost every day. Try to find a friend that is working on them and have the son help. Don't be afraid to get dirty or afraid to do the dirty work. I started by cleaning parts and holding the flashlight. Soon I moved to handing the proper tools. Once I got that down I was able to start wrenching on them. A good place to start with motors is lawn mower engines. Much can be learned there with little cost.

lordoftheweeds · #4 07/03/13, 09:47 AM

Yep, a chiltons manual and a set of tools is all you need to get started.

foxtrapper · #5 07/03/13, 10:12 AM

You've got tractors that go to the dealer for repairs. Pick one and let him do it instead. A repair he feels he can probably do, and give him the time to do it.

You've cars that get oil changes and such. Let him do those as well. And the generic checking and inspecting of things. From tires to brakes and such, let him look your cars over regularly, and make adjustments and minor repairs.

Sure, it's going to take him longer, and likely cost more with mistakes and tools, but it's a great way for him to learn, and you all (if you wish).

Taylor R. · #6 07/03/13, 10:20 AM

Does he go to public school? Three out of five of my brothers went to a Vo-Tech school through the school system and were able to get a free vocational education during school hours.

Wolfy-hound · #7 07/03/13, 05:07 PM

I end up googling and looking for information, using my Chiltons manual and asking a lot of questions.

When you actually get into it, most of it isn't hard... it's just intimidating because you have no idea how to do it, what that part really does, etc.

I will say half the problem is knowing WHAT the problem is. Doing the repair/replacement is much easier than diagnosing the issue.

plowjockey · #8 07/03/13, 06:58 PM

Why wait forsomeday?

Buy him (or lend him the money) a $500 running pickup truck and some inexpensive Harbor Freight tools.

If he's truly interested, he'll take it from there. If not, get $400 scrap price for the truck.

HuskyBoris · #9 07/03/13, 07:41 PM

exactly what plowjockey said,buy him some tools and an old vehicle or tractor,something simple to build confidence and if he is truly interested he will stick with it and if not you aren't out much but IMHO a tractor is a good choice, an old Farmall ,John Deere or Ford that he can sell to finance his next project.

travis91 · #10 07/03/13, 08:22 PM

I have the 301 piece tool kit from harbor freight it was $148 with the 20 percent coupon..... Buy a beater truck, or a military truck(cheap, plenty of parts, and There are owners groups for them all over the place with plenty of guys to step in and help)

Bluecometk · #11 07/03/13, 09:00 PM

Okiemom

I would get a book called Automotive Encyclopedia by Goodheart-Willcox.
It’s an older book, my copy is from 1977.
This book teaches you what tools to buy, how to use them, the basics of automotive technologies, how a Carburetor works, how a ignition works all the way up to the latest info for 1977 in my case it even has tune up specs in it for a large variety of manufacturers. This is the era of technology our tractors and older vehicles use and is the basis for starting out .If it’s not still in print you can go to a library. I would think most would have it, even my Hicksville library did.
I would also buy a decent set of tools. Sears craftsman tools are good for beginners all the way up to pros. And most if not all the Craftsman tools have replacement warranty of some kind. If you get him a cheep set of tools he will have issues and get frustrated and loose interest.
I know this book isn’t the latest and greatest but it will give him a good solid knowledge of the basics.

Once he gets the basics down he may want to go further. The automotive trade today is very tough. You have to have a good head on your shoulders and you will need college to get the good jobs in the field. So make sure he realizes that after the fun goes away it’s a tough world out there in Technician land.
I’m not trying to discourage anyone. If you get the rite job you can make 100K plus.

Just my two cents.

MichaelZ · #12 07/04/13, 07:32 AM

Have the boy get a job, perhaps mowing lawns. Then get him an old pickup truck that barely runs and have him use his money he earns plus a little help from you to fix it up. Let him drive it around the yard until he gets old enough to get his driver's license. You can find helpful info on the internet for him, as needed. In recent years I have tackled some repairs that I never would have before, thanks to info I found online. Restoring classic vehicles could be a great career and this could be a vital part of his training. Also, as mentioned, if he is in public school he could take auto tech classes and then they may let him use much of their equipment to help fix the vehicle.

Consider yourself blessed to have a 14 year old that has an interest in something other than texting and video games!

DJ in WA · #13 07/06/13, 03:18 PM

The only thing he needs is being interested, and patience. I know some people who I wouldn't even consider to be that bright, but with enough persistence, they figure stuff out.

I lack sufficient interest and patience for serious mechanics, but did the basics with my son. I'm more interested in animals and gardening.

He has a strong mechanical interest, and took advantage of shop classes and voc. tech training while in high school. He also joined the Air Force as a mechanic, and recently got out and is studying diesel mechanics at the U. of Alaska. Someone gave him a job running a shop at the big airport there for good money while he's going to school. Beats flipping hamburgers. And he's already getting job offers after his first semester.

Anyway, I would contact some of the clubs for old cars, and see if he could help someone out. Most people love to share what they love with a youngster who is truly interested.

okiemom · #14 07/07/13, 07:28 AM

Thank you for your ideas. he does have a good high school and will have him see when he can take classes. my dh once wanted a 5 window truck. hubby knows he is now patient enough for engine work so never go one.

I think a group would also be a good place for him to have ideas. I just don't want him to get into a project then get frustrated because we cant help him much.

will let you all know how it goes. ps would love to see pics of projects you all are working on.

joejeep92 · #15 07/07/13, 12:29 PM

I was the same way. I bought an old truck and because I couldn't drive it until it was fixed I learned quickly. I had a Chilton's manual and acquired tools as I needed them. I moved from that truck to another and to another. I went to school for Automotive Mechanics and am currently a technician. Good money and future in this career if he is interested.

Yvonne's hubby · #16 07/07/13, 05:25 PM

I started out fixing my bicycles, then moved up to tinkering with lawn mowers. When I finally got my own pickup at age 16 it needed lots of work and learned by doing. When I was 18 I got a job working for an independent shop, learning how to clean and put away tools, sweep floors, wash parts and get cussed at in German. After I had mastered the fine art of getting parts as clean on the outside as they were the inside (spotless) he began letting me do disassembly, then finally assembling some things. I spent the next 5 or 6 years working in dealerships adding to my rapidly growning warehouse of knowledge. Its now 40 some years later, several jobs and shops of my own.... and although I know a bit, I am still learning how to fix cars, and my Yvonne still occasionally reverts to the German language... I think its something about the language, its the only language I know of that it seems to be acceptable to spit on who ever you are chewing out.

Ray · #17 07/07/13, 08:46 PM

Well, I agree with all, if he can read and has a few tools he can fix anything! I think most of us started as kids like him on the farm, replacing brakes, windshield wipers, and a hundred parts n the junk we had to drive to keep it going. Working on the farm tractors, lawn mowers, we'd eaters, blowers, motorcycles, fix the kitchen sink, toilet leak, anything that needs work teaches how to work on anything else.
It all starts with the ability to troubleshoot a problem, so when he get a problem, be sure he does a search on how to troubleshoot and find the way to the answer! It is always the same set of rules to trouble shoot anything! Start with the most likely and work toward the most unlikely, and it will soon be found by rule of elimination! Most is done in the mind through the thought process! You can find a troubleshooting chart for nearly any thing what so ever that gets repaired!
vo Ag class is a good start, best of luck ray

wy_white_wolf · #18 07/08/13, 08:28 AM

Reminds me of how I got started. Dad let me have the old 48 Willys Jeep when I was 13 promosing that we would fix it up together. I knew it would never happen as my older brother had waited for him to get time for them to do it and it never happened.

The local garage that we used happened to owned by a guy that liked old jeeps. We cut a deal that I would clean his shop after school in return he would teach me what I needed to know to fix the old jeep. I was lucky enough that he even came through with a few parts that would have taken me a few years to save up for.

Since you aren't interested in vehicle repair find the kid a mentor. At 14 the child labor laws may prevent him working for pay so check for a classic car club. They always have individuals working on cars that are in need of help and usually willing to share some knowledge.

WWW

bikehealer1 · #19 07/12/13, 07:10 PM

I started with lawnmowers and worked my way up the ladder. I was a shop helper at a local mom and pop bike shop back in june of '98, and am now lead tech at the shop I work at now. I don't consider my self above average, but people keep bringing me stuff no one else seems to be able to fix...........

Old Vet · #20 07/14/13, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluecometk

Okiemom

I would get a book called Automotive Encyclopedia by Goodheart-Willcox.
It’s an older book, my copy is from 1977.
This book teaches you what tools to buy, how to use them, the basics of automotive technologies, how a Carburetor works, how a ignition works all the way up to the latest info for 1977 in my case it even has tune up specs in it for a large variety of manufacturers. This is the era of technology our tractors and older vehicles use and is the basis for starting out .If it’s not still in print you can go to a library. I would think most would have it, even my Hicksville library did.
I would also buy a decent set of tools. Sears craftsman tools are good for beginners all the way up to pros. And most if not all the Craftsman tools have replacement warranty of some kind. If you get him a cheep set of tools he will have issues and get frustrated and loose interest.
I know this book isn’t the latest and greatest but it will give him a good solid knowledge of the basics.

Once he gets the basics down he may want to go further. The automotive trade today is very tough. You have to have a good head on your shoulders and you will need college to get the good jobs in the field. So make sure he realizes that after the fun goes away it’s a tough world out there in Technician land.
I’m not trying to discourage anyone. If you get the rite job you can make 100K plus.

Just my two cents.

I like this. The only thing to remember is that a part either go back and forth or around. All you need to do is to find how far. Don't look at the car but the part and you will see.