The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Mechanicals for dummies (I'm the dummy)

Hi there folks!

I was wondering if any of you mechanics gurus could give some advice to a person with hardly any--no scratch that--basically NO mechanical knowledge at all. My dad made me hold the flashlight occasionally but that's it

I went ahead and bought my truck figuring I'd learn as I go, or else have a shop take car of most of it, but after reading through these forums, I'm getting excited about learning the ropes more quickly. Luckily my 53 has the 235 engine, which everyone says is dead easy to work on.

So, does anyone have any advice on books that would cover the basics on the older engines/electrical/transmission etc? I could get 'cars for dummies' or something but really want to leave off learning about stuff that's not in my truck (electronic ignition, fuel injection, blah blah) at least for now.

I just bought a shop manual from ebay for my truck, though I think it might be advanced for me. I need the kindergarten level! I also bought 'restoring your chevy truck' which is great but that doesn't really cover most things I don't understand (what's a distributer cap, what's a carboreator, what does 'wiring harness' mean etc).

One example of my deplorable level of ignorance--I mucked out that shift box thingie to get it unstuck, and now I'm clueless on the kind of new gunk to put back in it. Grease I am assuming you call it. I bought a grease gun but dunno which tube of glop to put in. Not only that but I bought a tube of some red stuff and managed to make it explode all over me trying to get it in the gun. Humph. But it is fun having a 'grease gun' of my own.

Appreciate any opinions you all might have.

And have a great weekend, everyone!
-Sarah

1st.... always remember that it is "LEFTY LOOSEY, RIGHTY TIGHTY".... unless it has reverse threads, then it is the opposite.

You have a good start with the book... read it, take it to your truck and compare the pix with your truck until you find what you are looking for...

these old trucks are fairly simple to work on, especially if you can read!!

you will also get mucho free advice here!!!

welcome to the 'bolt too btw.

Welcome Sarah, the willing to learn is half the battle.

James

Read, read and read some more.

The shop manuals, old articles scattered around the web.

Figuring out how to search on the various forums on the web and finding the old threads with the golden nuggets of information.

Here on the 'Bolt there are the different forums for different areas of the truck. You have to be willing to explore this site to really get a feel for where everything is. A lot of the information is inside the forums, much of it is in html form.

You'll be learning stuff about your truck from now on, there is always something new to learn about.

Enjoy,

-W

Sarah,
I actually had a book a few years ago called
"The dummies guide to how to fix your Volkswagen". I have not seen one for these trucks but you can find lots of basic automotive books at any library. The shop manual is a good start. Also, many community colleges offer basic automotive courses. You will probably be suprised that you know more than many of the guys enrolled in these courses.
Fred

Any 'bolters in her area of Texas willing to show her the basics? That'd be a really good place to start.
Someone with a 47-54?

First let me say that this web site is by far THE best for AD trucks and Stovebolt motors. Now that I've paid homage to Stovebolt there is another group of Inliners that would be helpful. Inliners International (inliners.org) devoted to all inline motors. They have a chapter in the DFW area and another in San Antonia. Though most of their Forum traffic is about the newer inline sixes most of the Inliners cut their teeth on stovebolts. You might also visit some of the local car shows, all you need to do is find a stovebolt and start asking questions. Hope this helps.

Larry

Sarah, I restored a 53 3100 pickup, back to orgional.I'm no expert but in the 12 years it took me to restore it, I learned a lot, well maybe I am an expert on the 53 3100. LOL. Where are you in Texas? I'm in Azle are you close. This is your best place to learn.

Books are good this web site is very good the best thing to find is the local old time retired mechanic that still likes to mess with the old trucks and befriend him. Men like this are a national treasure that we are slowly losing and most are glad to pass their knowledge on. A afternoon spent with one of these gentlemen is priceless.

Hi Sarah;
There doesn't appear to be much available as far as repair manuals specifically for your truck. I just bought a very good re-print of the factory service manual for my GMC from "Faxon Auto Literature",so my first shot would be to contact them and inquire what they have that applies to your truck. Also,a search on eBay should bring up at least one of every book or manual in print for it.
Next-ask lots of questions here on the forums. We've all been where you are,so no question is too stupid or silly. These people all love old trucks and are happy to share their considerable experience and knowledge,especially with someone who really wants to learn their truck.
Another good thing will be to get a few parts catalogs from places that specialize in old Chevy trucks,like Golden State Truck Parts,Jim Palmer,Truck shop,there's several others you'll see mentioned here. With these,you not only can find any parts you might need,but as you browse through the books,you can see what many parts of your truck look like without rust and grease on 'em;it sometimes helps you identify parts you might need to service on your truck,and sometimes by looking at a new part you can see where it's bolted or how it's attached to your truck. (Plus-you can't own an old truck unless you have at least one parts book with everything that'll fit your truck circled! It's the law! ) And remember-this is FUN!!
Speed

I would also suggest a basic automotive class/clinics that you could take at night, if time permits. Then you can build on that with your at home repairs and the questions and answers you get from here. I've been turning wrenches for 30+ years and still learn new stuff every day,
Scott

I remember that Volkswagen book. Wasn't it called "The compleat idiot's guide"? And there were other applications as well. I never actually had one because I knew bugs fairly well when that book came out, but I do recall that I had been in the habit of helping a friend who had no mechanical knowledge of any kind with his buggy. Until, that is, he acquired a copy of that book and soon afterward told me my services would no longer be necessary. I remember feeling a bit left out, and resolved to pick up a copy and see what all the fuss was about.

Okay, I'll admit it. That is a very small one of the regrets I have about unfulfilled ambitions. I don't have a bug, but I do teach from time to time (as do we all, here), and perhaps I'll look 'round for a copy, just so I can inspect the teaching method.

And I'll suggest the same to you, Sarah. I had to show my friend which end of the wrench was for what, and which screwdriver to use, and how. Many parallels can be drawn between early VW's and stovebolts, and it might be a smart move to start poring through old book stores in your area. You'll find that the actual locations of parts are all backwards in the bug, but the parts themselves do the same things the same way, and even look similar.

-Mark

I just took a look at your other thread, Sarah. WHAT A LOVELY TRUCK! !!! The oil filter canister is the thing (in your engine pic) between that pretty little alternator and your circled area. Directly behind the turquoiose-looking tie strap that holds the red and blue wires to the brace. Unless you live and drive in very cruddy conditions, you don't need a filter if you do oil changes every 2,000 miles.

"My FIL is green with jealousy and talks wistfully of his 54 and 48."
What's an FIL? Can't really blame him, whatever he is. When you get tired of his whining, you can show him the swapmeet section and explain to him that, since he'll NEVER drive your truck unless you are very close to death indeed, and even then only with your express permission, and with you prone in the back, facing forward with a handgun in case he screws up, he might as well shyte or get off the pot, and find his own old friend, because this one is YOURS!

You definitely need to take ttodd's suggestion if it is possible. Your leaky carburetor probably doesn't need to be rebuilt, for example. It is more than likely that the machine screws which hold the top casting to the bottom one (if that is where the leak is) are asking to be tightened a bit. Don't do it yourself without supervision, because you might overtighten them, thereby doing more damage. By the way, I really like your fuel filter. Can I have it? (hint: NO!) Your valve cover, another prime example, is a stamped steel piece which, if its hold-down bolts are overtightened, will continue to leak even though the gasket is okay, until it is taken off and straightened, then reinstalled properly, with the correct flat washers(which are easy enough to make with a file and a vise if you don't have them). Most of the necessary repairs on this truck can be made either with vast infusions of cash to an unscrupulous self-styled "mechanic" or with a little old-school knowledge, which you might well find wasting away in a rest home somewhere.

Don't be to hard on yourself. Just remember www.stovebolt.com! If you have a digital camera, you will be WAY ahead of the game. Take before, during, and after shots of what you are working on (preferably one thing at a time).If you need a "definition" try http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia.
And don't be to hard on yourself. Just remember www.stovebolt.com.

Go to a used book store and look around for old Motors Auto Repair Manuals.A lot of valuable info on the old engines there,and you can usually buy them at a reasonable price.

Scott Wards advice was good, My daughter took a basic mechanic course at the local Com. college.
Had fun, met boys, and knows quite a bit about cars. Beware, your fingernails will look bad forever girl.

I'd say go ahead and look at Motor's Auto Repair Manuals, but you might find that the information in them is aimed at jobbers; peopole who do it for money. I'm no mechanic, and I find them rough going sometimes. I thought the factory shop manual - I have a reprint "Chevrolet Truck Shop Manual covering 1948 to 1951 models, includes 1952 supplement" - easier to read. It seems aimed at farmers; Guys with no more than a basic knowledge of mechanics, who could nonetheless read and understand basic English.

the public library would be a good place to start.the reason i suggest that is most people i encounter (30) or younger have never seen a set of points OR find a good mechanic around 50 years old. no slam on the younger mechanics i just seem to get the reaction: POINTS?

Wow! I go away for a weekend and find all SORTS of good advice! You have no idea how much I appreciate it. STOVEBOLTERS RULE!

I have a shop manual on the way from Fazon auto stuff and a catalog from some online store...I'll check into auto shop classes, that never even occured to me! I am also having a great time searching these forums for terms i don't know. Like 'bushings', 'linkage' that kind of thing. I don't get most of it but my hope is that the knowledge is being stored away for when i 'get it'. I just WISH I could find an old retired mechanic to give me lessons. That would be awesome.

Beaver53 -- I'm in Dallas, seems like Azle is close, right? I don't actually know. You are a 53 expert eh? Hmmmmmm

Hotshoe36 -- LOL that is hilarious....facing forward with a gun, snort! FIL is referring to father-in-law---he's the one that said "oh hell just buy the darn thing". He's a tough as nails vet so I might not say exactly that Also if you wanna teach you should! I bet teaching an auto class for women would be such a valuable thing. I hate feeling stupid when I talk to a mechanic about repairs...like they could rip me off so easy, just because I never learned this stuff at my daddy's knee.

10 micron -- oh yeah 'points'-- a friend was appalled it had points and said 'we need to convert you right away! those are a pain!' but I don't know...I kinda like it original.

You guys are awesome! Thanks again!

My gal Laura is interested in the old truck and how it works. If it came to it I think she would help work on the old trucks. She is ignorant of distrubutors, carburetors and such, but she grasps the concepts when I describe them to her.

If you can comprehend and read, the owners and shop manuals are great reading. For fixing your truck, original reprint manuals are the way to go for starters.

A nice small set of tools (like a 115 peice craaftsman set) will get you by on a lot of stuff.

Laura says "It's great to have a handyman around". I love the fact that my lady is handy too.

You gals will always get praise in the Stovebolt pages just for getting into old trucks. If you can work on them too, you might want to let the rest of the bolters know your marital status.

Just show them boys what a determined Gal can do!