Learning about the engine.
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7
From:
Learning about the engine.
Sorry to be a n00b and what not but where do you guys learn all of this stuff about engines, what to put in them, how to tune them properly, maintance, etc. Think you could help me out? I'm new to this stuff and I want to learn. I'm planning on buying a 98 Cobra when I save up enough money and when I do get it I want to be able to moddify it and know what I'm doing when I do. I currently own a 98 Stang, it's automatic. When I open the hood I don't know what anything is! lol. Where do you guys learn this stuff. Help would be much appreciated. Thanks. <IMG src=smileys/smiley1.gif border="0">
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 446
From: United States
Learning about the engine.
personally i thought it was much easier learning on aold engine then *converting* to a new engine, then it was much easier for me to determine what parts they wereand actually see the difference btw the old parts and new parts. its good to get magazines and read them over pretty well. also something ive always wanted to do but havent, hehe, find someone that is a mechanic or works on cars and hang with him for a little while :P my $.02
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 205
From: United States
Learning about the engine.
Yea....I learned all my stuff from a vintage 350. Very easy to get the just of a motor. Itsall based on fuel/air, spark, compression and exhaust. Once you figure all that out, it comes pretty easy.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,484
From: B'ham, WA
Learning about the engine.
Go to your local book store and start flipping through the rack of automotive stuff.
When I wanted to upgrade my Ram I bought a book on chrysler engines, and one on Rochester carbs (turned out to be a waste of money because I threw out the quadrapuke anyway). I read the book front to back maybe ten times trying to pick up everything I could about the 360. When I bought the Mustang I picked up a book called 'how to understand, service, and modify ford fuel injection & electronic engine control' by charles probst.
It won't help your quest for knowledge about the 98 Cobra, but it's great for the older cars. The basic ideas are all the same, but there were a lot of changes in 96.
Sign up for an auto tech class at a local community college and start with lawnmower/motorcycle engines and work your way up. Or go out and buy an old truck/car and learn homeschool.
When I wanted to upgrade my Ram I bought a book on chrysler engines, and one on Rochester carbs (turned out to be a waste of money because I threw out the quadrapuke anyway). I read the book front to back maybe ten times trying to pick up everything I could about the 360. When I bought the Mustang I picked up a book called 'how to understand, service, and modify ford fuel injection & electronic engine control' by charles probst.
It won't help your quest for knowledge about the 98 Cobra, but it's great for the older cars. The basic ideas are all the same, but there were a lot of changes in 96.
Sign up for an auto tech class at a local community college and start with lawnmower/motorcycle engines and work your way up. Or go out and buy an old truck/car and learn homeschool.
6th Gear Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 14,917
Learning about the engine.
I didn't learn from magazines or books.
I went out to my garage, and started replacing parts that didn't really need replacing. I just rolled out of bed one day and decided to change my spark plugs, then the next weekend I decided to do the wires. Then the cap...rotor....coil...heh.
Lets see, then I modified my mass air flow sensor....Then a header install, starter install, smog pump removal, intake removal. I did most of this before I even learned how to remove a valve cover on my own car.
BUT, I had 3 years of experience working on a dirt modified race car with a 467 dyno'ing 700 hp hehe <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0"> <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0">
To be honest, a street car is far more intimidating than a race car...I was afraid to F'up a spark plug change for my Iroc...when I wasn't afraid to tear down the intake & install heads on the big block. Weird how that works..
I went out to my garage, and started replacing parts that didn't really need replacing. I just rolled out of bed one day and decided to change my spark plugs, then the next weekend I decided to do the wires. Then the cap...rotor....coil...heh.
Lets see, then I modified my mass air flow sensor....Then a header install, starter install, smog pump removal, intake removal. I did most of this before I even learned how to remove a valve cover on my own car.
BUT, I had 3 years of experience working on a dirt modified race car with a 467 dyno'ing 700 hp hehe <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0"> <img border="0" src=smileys/smiley2.gif border="0">
To be honest, a street car is far more intimidating than a race car...I was afraid to F'up a spark plug change for my Iroc...when I wasn't afraid to tear down the intake & install heads on the big block. Weird how that works..
1st Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 79
From: Qatar
4th Gear Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,484
From: B'ham, WA
Learning about the engine.
right. I bought the 87 GL because it had a blown head gasket. I bought it to learn on. If I totally screwed it up... who cares! It's a $500 POS. If I get it running, turn around and sell it for $1500. So I had it running but the other head gasket blew.