Any auto mechanics/restorers out there?

[AlexCrowley 0]

I know nothing about cars. I've decided to learn by rebuilding an older car.

Where do I start? :)

I'm thinking of an 80s Pontiac Firebird, is this a good first car?

Thanks.

TV's got them images, TV's got them all, nothing's shocking.

[Diversgodown 0]

Quote

I know nothing about cars. I've decided to learn by rebuilding an older car.

Where do I start? :)

I'm thinking of an 80s Pontiac Firebird, is this a good first car?

Thanks.

Buy Car, Take it to a mechanic

You may want to think about getting something a little older, there is still alot of electrical components in the 80's FB's that can be really tricky to work on, without knowing what you are doing. I would go a little further back 70'sish. I guess it depend on HOW much you want to try to learn and how much rebuilding you want to do, and how frustrated you want to get. Do you want to pull the block, bore out cylinders, add a HP cam, put a shift kit in the trans. Are we talking a complete tear down to the frame rebuild!!! or I added a K&N filter Headers, a glass pack on the exhaust. rebuild?

***Glory Favors the Bold***

[AlexCrowley 0]

Is it a bad thing that I dont understand most of what you just said?

I realize there are a lot of electronics, but you need that so the electronic dash works.

I'm a computer geek so wiring doesnt upset me too much, its the whole combustion engine thing that is the mystery.

Id be more likely to drop in a whole new engine that fiddle with stuff that would require specialized tools or skills (beyond the electronics/computer stuff).

I'm seeing this as a multi-year long term project rather than becoming an engine jedi in a short space of time.

TV's got them images, TV's got them all, nothing's shocking.

[Diversgodown 0]

Well If you can do electroncis then I would assume that 12 Volt wiring diagrams would be fairly simple, If you don't want to work on the engine what is it that you are looking to learn by doing this project? Even dropping a crate motor (new engine) into the car will require at the least a Cherry picker. I had a 86 or 87 Firechicken, It wasn't a bad car. Whatever Car you decide on getting. Get a Chiltons manual or something equivalant. you may even be able to find a Mfg. Repair book on ebay, Which would be a great resource on all the repairs. When it comes to pulling the engine I would recommend making friend with sombody that knows what they are doing and enlist their help. for some Beer.

***Glory Favors the Bold***

[AlexCrowley 0]

I'm somewhat of a disadvantage simply because when I say I know nothing about engines I mean NOTHING.

You could tell me that it's wankelrotary sleeve needed shanking and I'd wonder what tool was required to do it.

So doing basic engine work would be a yes, and advanced engine work - no. But before that I'd have to learn what each of those actually are.

I approach each new skill as entering a dark room. First thing is to discover where the light switch is, then the size of the room. Then I'll worry about what needs to get put into the room.

Was that a good example?

TV's got them images, TV's got them all, nothing's shocking.

[Bolas 5]

If you're trying to build K.I.T.T. there's a site with all sorts of links, I believe a company will do that for you.

Clicky

I'm right with you on not knowing engines, if my mechanic told me I needed a new hamster valve, I'd ask how much.

Stupidity if left untreated is self-correcting
If ya can't be good, look good, if that fails, make 'em laugh.

[Diversgodown 0]

Ah but if you turn on the light switch you ruin all the pictures

Gotta work now, I'll chat later. you just have to be careful about getting in over your head as far as the mechanical work. if you buy an older car, there is a good possibility it will need a new engine or a rebuild and if putting a new engine in like previously said find a Gear head to help all the other stuff is not that difficult to learn as long as you do your homework before tearing into it.

***Glory Favors the Bold***

[Diversgodown 0]

They actually have the KITT car in a car musem in Illinois. along with the car from gone in 60 Sec.

***Glory Favors the Bold***

[AlexCrowley 0]

Yeah, I've been using that as a resource. You'd be amazed at how large a community there is full of geeks building KITT.

A turnkey KITT is about $50,000. But that really takes away from the whole idea of learning something. KITT is just decent motivation to learn how to do work on a car - a part of my education growing up that I appear to have completely missed out on.

I've researched Firebirds so much in the last few weeks that even if I dont build a KITT replica I still want to rebuild the car itself. Even buying a used car is going to be a new experience, so most of my effort so far as hbeen in that direction.

TV's got them images, TV's got them all, nothing's shocking.

[AlexCrowley 0]

HAHAH.

Yeah, I tend to obsess. Hopefully I wont get too overconfident, but being an information junkie I already have 7 books and manuals on their way which I"ll read before actually choosing a car.

TV's got them images, TV's got them all, nothing's shocking.