Fevre

Have been seeing a lot of posts lately inquiring about what I would consider basic knowledge, especially when it come to engines. I suggest those of you who are new to this field do yourself a BIG favor and take a few hours to look through your local book store to find some books on engines. There are a lot of books avail that not only give you a good write up of the basic principles of the internal combustion eng but also have lots of pics and diagrams. Now when it comes to mods for high performace these books may differ in their opinions but the basic principles will be the same so it doesn't matter which ones you buy, and I would suggest by many so you get a wide variety of information to draw from.

I bought my vette with what I later found out was very little knowledge of engines. I did a few things to the eng without really understanding what I was doing, I just read the part desc in a parts catalog and thought they sound great, "More power" is what usually sold me. Once I realized I didn't really know what I was doing I went to the book store and bought 2 books, "How to rebuild a small block Chevy" and "How to Hot Rod a small block Chevy". I read them both cover to cover and boy did they open my eyes to how little I really knew. :bb

What I am trying to get at is that is it hard to explain how all the things on an eng work over the interet, I mean it takes a whole book or 2 to do it. But once you get a real good idea of how all the things that comprise an eng work together you can really focus your questions on things you don't understand and will have a frame of reference to understand what forum members are advising you on.

This also applies to the vette itself, get some manuals and rebuild books and it will help you out a ton and probably save you 10x the cost of the books in the long run.

mrvette

Yup, no question about it, and that advice applies to allmost any field too.....

basic electricity also....from batteries to power plants....

living in today's tech age means we gotta get smart just to survive, unless you make over 100 grand/year in Jax Florida, and even then, you got not a whole lot to spare....

GENE

Jughead

It's a never ending process too. Alway something I don't know.

73ragtop

Great topic and suggestions. What I'd really like is some really good videos covering how to do engine and mechanical procedures. Often photos really don't give you any more than an idea of where something in the text is located. I'd have benefitted greatly by actually being able to see a good mechanic actually, for instance, remove, overhaul, and reinstall a distributor in a Corvette. Trying to do that the first time by myself was a killer, even with the helpful descriptions of the great folks on this forum. To this day, I still can't "walk" the distributor to the correct tooth even after Lars has described it perfectly in an email to me. I know it would be a snap if I could actually watch it in a Quicktime movie. Hey, some of you guys (Lars, maybe) could make a mint videographing and making the videos available to us neophytes. I'd certainly pay for one before learning by trial and error (mostly error) like I have on my Vette.

81' Corvette Guy

Yeah..all nice and fuzzy thread and all, but I have this wiper motor engine...and well, was wondering what I could do to "pep" it up a little bit????

ultimix

Going to the book store today - you are 100% right!

Mark

mandm1200

I agree 100% about reading books; it's a good starting point for knowledge. However, it will not be the 'cure all' to everything. I always use the anology; you can read as many golfing books as you want, but going out an hitting a golf ball is still hard to do. I was quite fortunate 25 years ago to work in a garage and body shop as a teenager. It was back then I read a couple of books. One of them was the How To Hotrod A Small Block Chevy. I have looked and saw that it can still be purchased today. I also read a book on Holley carburators which was necessary since we had to redo the carb to run alcohol.

I'll throw in my two cents in regards to high performance engines. If you do not know what you're doing (and this includes Mr. Know It All), then go and talk to a local machine shop/engine builder. Explain to them the horse power you would like to have and how the car will be used. They can then steer you in the right direction so that you don't make co$tly mistakes. I take my vette to a local garage that also does a lot of high performance boat work. Last year there was a boat at the garage getting 2 almost brand new 502's with blowers getting pulled out. I asked why and he told me that the owner could not handle all the power it made and needed it toned down. Big mistake and co$tly too.

MotorHead

I would have to agree I bought the book How to Build the SmallBlock Chevrolet and followed it word for word and have a killer small block that runs perfect. I have not had to touch it ( except for timing and jets ) since I dropped it in. It was not a stock rebuild either

81ZZ4

I read sooo much on this site before I began modding.
Best bunch of guys you could ever ask for

Yeah, hit Barnes & Noble or even Hot Rod magazines.
Much to learn.

gdh

Great post and can I add don't just rely on reading Chevy Hi Performance Mag, lots of paid advertising in there. They best things about the books is that they teach you from air cleaner to tailpipe, not just throw this intake on or put this cam in to achieve 50 + hp.

mrcorvette79

Not that asking questions from everyone is a bad thing, but the best thing anyone can do is gain knowledge through personal experience. There's a book for everything these days and spending a little time reading will not only save you time during repairs but keep you from getting ripped off !. My personal moto is "why would I pay someone to fix it for me when I can fix it myself" That applies to everything. It's a matter of personal satisfaction being able to walk into your local parts supplier armed to the teeth with knowledge. However, I can say I've gained even more knowledge since joining the CF. You guy's are the best !

neoh77

This is a GREAT book! Great pictures and just really good sense about cleanliness in and around the engine. I learned a whole lot about oiling around the timing chain and cam among other things...

comp

good post

71coupe

I highly recommend taking night classes if your local community college offers this. I did just that years ago so I could save money on car repairs and have access to a lift rack. I took 1 or 2 classes at a time and ended up ASE certified 3 years later

You can also find good books on theory of engines/trans, etc at you local community college as well.

kermit1654

And for those people who hate to read there is always:


Sorry, Just joking. I agree reading up on your engine is F U N - D A M E N T A L!

Fevre

comp

completely

w1ctc

I think the loss of posts before 6/04 is causing the repeated
and basic questions. Hope they come back.
Bob

Star79

I had heard of this book, and after reading this thread I just bought it at amazon.com

Author is Bill Fuller, isbn # is 0912656069

There are also a few on ebay for those who don't want to spend 15 bucks

ultimix

Mark