Mechanical knowledge

[jimb]

I am keen to learn more about engines and how cars work. What is the best way?
I borrowed some car manuals- did some reading but I am more a visual/ kinetic learner I think...
Ate there Tafe courses for people who don't necessarily want to become mechanics but want to learn.

Thought of just buying a cheap car and taking it apart ... Heaps of chatter on the forum goes over my head quickly and I'd love to understand more. Hoping some yoda like advice from my aulro mates. Thanks.


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[SimonM]

I have never learnt so much about cars then since my Land Rover ownership began. So you are off to the right start :).

[30t of coolness]

If you want to learn the best way is to pull one apart, as for vehicles, well you can never have too many Landies . Get yourself a couple of Series vehicles (1 to drive & 1to 'practice' on ) as they are very basic & go for it! Otherwise check the internet (youtube etc) there's sure to be something in there & there could be an after hours basic mechanics course through TAFE. Good luck :)

[The Cone of Silence]

Get an old car, get its Haynes manual and the workshop manual and take it apart component by component - that'd be great fun and a fantastic learning experience.

What it won't teach you is WHY certain cars have certain components. I've often found that learning the history and background is a good way to understand cars.

A mate of mine found a book a few years back and lent it to me and it's brilliant. Loads of pictures, exploded diagrams, explanations as to what all the different parts do and why.

It might be a good place for you to start because the book is aimed at those who don't have much knowledge on the subject....and it doesn't skimp on the more complex parts too later on in the book.


Automotive Mechanics Fundamentals | Gregory's (http://www.pitstop.net.au/view/technical-general-technical/page/query/plu/9299)

Also, as pointed out, Google and YouTube are your friends too!

Bobby

[Blknight.aus]

start with a lawnmower.

once you can strip one of them and put it back together and get it working get a series.

its all the same, just more parts and new combinations of ways for things to go wrong.

mechanicing is essentially the art of understanding a handfull of fundamentals in physics, (thermodynamics, fluid flow + pressure, leverage, mechanical advantage, gearing, metalurgy, basic (advnced for modern EFI stuff) electronics, right off the top of my head) once you have that down fault finding is as simple as reverse engineering the symptoms onto the existing model until you come up with a theoretical systemic failure related to a portion of the operation of the item. That gives you whats broken, fixing it is as easy as making it look like it should or pulling things off substituting new bits and then putting it all back together like it should be.

Its pretty easy, I can do it. :)

and of course on the long nights insomnia grants me Im happy to put the words down range.

[flagg]

I've only recently started to get any confidence in it.. Started with an old B&S chipper.. it didn't start when I got it, so I methodically took it apart and put it together again. And kept doing that about 50 times until one day it scared the crap out of my by starting.

It really started when I got my Landrover 110. I've (almost) completed replacing the firewall on it, and in doing so I've had to do a lot, and learn a lot. I learn by doing.. so you just have to dive in.

I've found that I need to read and re-read the workshop manuals a few times before I start.. but when I work I usually spend just as much time look at the parts manual as it shows you how things join together.

Also - have a digital camera with you, and take lots of photos of everything as you take it apart.. this has saved me thousands of times when you are unsure, and you can just flick back through the camera and see the answer.

I get stuck a lot, and when I do I just leave it and come back later. If I can't work it out, I ask here and people always help out.

I've got a long way to go, but slowly working away and learning so much has been a great experience.

[pop058]

start with a lawnmower.

once you can strip one of them and put it back together and get it working get a series.

its all the same, just more parts and new combinations of ways for things to go wrong.

mechanicing is essentially the art of understanding a handfull of fundamentals in physics, (thermodynamics, fluid flow + pressure, leverage, mechanical advantage, gearing, metalurgy, basic (advnced for modern EFI stuff) electronics, right off the top of my head) once you have that down fault finding is as simple as reverse engineering the symptoms onto the existing model until you come up with a theoretical systemic failure related to a portion of the operation of the item. That gives you whats broken, fixing it is as easy as making it look like it should or pulling things off substituting new bits and then putting it all back together like it should be.

Its pretty easy, I can do it. :)

and of course on the long nights insomnia grants me Im happy to put the words down range.

Did that with Dad's mower as a young fella (long time ago :( ). Always had a bit left over and it always still ran. Still baffles me how 40 years later:confused:

[Blknight.aus]

Did that with Dad's mower as a young fella (long time ago :( ). Always had a bit left over and it always still ran. Still baffles me how 40 years later:confused:

I know how you feel... :whistling:

[jakeslouw]

Buy an old series Landy, download the manuals, buy some spanners and screw-drivers, and start a rebuild.

What will you get out of it?

- mechanical knowledge
- immense satisfaction
- a return on your investment as good looking Series Landies can ALWAYS be sold

[flagg]

The problem with a series is that a straight one without too much rust collects a bloody lot of money!

I'd get a D1 or RRC...

[jakeslouw]

PLENTY unrusted versions over here if you don't mind the effort of importing one.

[Blknight.aus]

I get the feeling its about time for me to get a passport.

[jakeslouw]

I can organize a genuine Santana, ex-SADF, R6 pickup for almost nothing.

Needs an engine. Which isn't a problem considering those were horrible engines anyway.

Sals rear axle. Flush nose (Stage 1) type front.

These were made under license as partial import, partial local content units by Leyland South Africa.

They are becoming VERY scarce now as we have no REMLR initiative in South Africa, and people just scavenge these for spares.

These pickups came with the Rover6 (as mentioned) or else the ADE236 which was a locally built Perkins 4.236 I think.

I can help with info on genuine paint colours, possible unit markings and number plates.

[Blknight.aus]

The problem with a series is that a straight one without too much rust collects a bloody lot of money!

I'd get a D1 or RRC...

buy one with rust, learn to weld too. :)

[DeanoH]

Did that with Dad's mower as a young fella (long time ago :( ). Always had a bit left over and it always still ran. Still baffles me how 40 years later:confused:

Some things never change, this is one of them. If it bothers you start with a few 'spare' nuts and bolts. When you're finished you'll never know if there's bits left over. ;) Ignorance is bliss. :D

It's always been my motto.............'If it doesn't go when you start you can't make it any worse' .

If a component/assembly is buggered then pull it to bits and see what makes it tick. If you can fix it it's a bonus, if not it goes in the bin in pieces as oposed to one bit. No loss and knowlege gained. :)

Deano:D

[DeanoH]

buy one with rust, learn to weld too. :)

Don't ! :eek:

Learn to walk first. Leaping tall buildings in single bounds comes later. :D:D

Deano :)

ps. perhaps this is why I'm such a lousy welder :confused:

[isuzurover]

start with a lawnmower.
....

I was going to say the same. Rebuilt my first lawnmower engine when I was ~10 years old.

Very early model victa... Made a new head gasket from some (probably asbestos) material. Bit thicker than the old one so CR would have been down a bit - still ran well...

[V8Ian]

If there are bits left over after working on a motor, remove the 710 plug and place said parts in. They'll find their way home. :D

[isuzurover]

If there are bits left over after working on a motor, remove the 710 plug and place said parts in. They'll find their way home. :D

Surely every apprentice engine rebuilder still gets a few extra bolts thrown into their parts bin.

[Blknight.aus]

see the real secret of the extra nits and bolts is this.

when your pulling it apart you replace some things, its the stuff your replacing that you have left over. Also some new components have fixings on them that you have to remove to remove the item.. why would you waste time putting on fixings that you have to take off to remove a component if your not going to put the component back on?