obxdude018

Try going to shops and seeing if they would be willing to take you as an apprentice, even if it's one or two days a week, I spent about 3 months in my uncle's body shop learning about body work, I did it for free as I value the education more than money, a lot of what I know is just by doing it myself. I also took a course online that teaches you in depth about cars and all the systems and how they work. You will gain the most knowledge however by getting your hands greasy.

tx_zstang

95% of the 'work' is simple assembly, removal, or replacement. if you can select the proper tool and can tighten or loosen bolts and nuts, you're there. Use of power/electric tools help a lot, but IMO, you "learn" more using traditional hand tools, and you get the feel of how tight something it, etc.

The tricky or very critical stuff, the other 5%, takes experience, skill, and sometimes, innovation, to get something done properly. Knowing when something requires precision tools to do right, proper use of correct sealants, etc.

Indeed, working as an apprentice somewhere is a good way to learn some of the basics as well; you'll probably clean a lot of parts and do crap work, but it's all still important to do a job right.


When learning as you go, start off with smaller simpler stuff first, that you can handle. As you get experience and confidence, you can progress to more complex repairs and installs.

Having a relative or friend who knows wth they're doing and is willing to have you do most of the work is the best way to learn. My Dad was a mechanic, and he guided me as we overhauled the motors in my first 2 cars when I was young. I learned what parts were critical and which weren't, more than anything.

Before my Mustang, I hand't ever tackled a rear-end gear change, but getting most of the tools needed and reading about and following proper procedures, I've done a couple and now am confident in my ability to change gears.

If you want to learn, you'll find a way. Always, though, do stuff safely. I only takes one stupid mistake/shortcut to end your life.

Alec

The few thousand you'd probably pay in labor could be put towards going to uti or atc to learn how to do it yourself. I don't know how much tuition would cost, but I'd imagine it's in the same range

Just a thought

livinloud98

to the opp. swap for a T5 manual transmission, my friend has done this on his v6 spending around $1,200. then x-charge, and youll be happy =]