Working on Engines

[riverrunner1984]

I put my first V8 together when I was still barely 14 and never looked back... Before that it was dirt bikes/go-kart engines...

I graduated to automatic transmissions about 12 years ago...

So how did you learn? Did someone teach you or just learned as you went???

[2manymustangs]

So how did you learn? Did someone teach you or just learned as you went???

Watching over my dads shoulder at first, tractor/lawnmower/flathead V8s/putting in new mains on our worn out junk...

Once I picked up the wrenches and started playing I never stopped... I did alot of machine/machine shop/design work where I learned/developed an understanding about tolerances/fit/finish... (tech school - board drafting/autocad - manufacturing engineering - building machines)

I'm far from advanced but by paying close attention to details/feel/fit and reading alot/studing failed parts has got me by for well over 35 years...

Some of the guys like Obnoxious and others have had the blessing of meeting/watching some of the all time greats... Louis Unser, mannnnn...

In recent conversation at Needles with Mr. Bubby Wilton, I found out he was rubbing elbows with Ed Pink and other big names in the history of engine building...

I try to keep my ears/eyes wide open when Im around the old timers and ask as many questions as possible without being a pest...

SoCal was/is MECCA for drag race fans. I spent the first 10-15 years of my trips to SoCal touring every piston/header/crankshaft/engine builder that would allow me in their shop... Many of you all don't realize (or care) what was in your own back yard from a history perspective in drag racing... Cool stuff IMHO!!!

We grew up boating but it wasn't "performance boating" like most of you folks grew up with... Just "social" boating/ski/swimming...

S.S., I think I was 6 also when I learned to ski, just never had hotboats like you grew up with...

[gn7]

Many of you all don't realize (or care) what was in your own back yard from a history perspective in drag racing... Cool stuff IMHO!!! ...

Ya think. Try growing up in Culver City with Traco, Isky, Halibrand, Edelbrock, Hedman, Sandy Belond all in your backyard. Like trying to grow up in East LA and not be a crack head.