Y Izzit?

[700rpm]

Why is it a guy will spend $10-$18k for a car and not spend $55 for the Restoration Guides, $35 for The Les Andrews red book, and $40 for a copy of the Ford Service Bulletins, which together would answer 92.7% of his questions and confusions about his new acquisition?

I'm not complaining, because there is also a lot of information to be gained here from knowledgeable and experienced A guys, and even after 55 years in the hobby I learn things, but not everything can be fully explained on this site. It just seems curious to me that people don't avail themselves of these resources.

[C26Pinelake]

Many of the people in our hobby did not pay $10-18,000 for their cars as you suggest. They either inherited their cars or bought them for 5K off Craigslist. Just in case you don't know it, there is a high number of unemployed persons in the United States. These unemployed, veterans and pensioners are useing their money to pay rent, mortgages, buy groceries, clothing and medicine. Not everyone reaches old age with a company pension. The average Social Security is $1400 per month. Also many young men are trying to raise a family and pay for education costs. To suggest that everyone has a few hundred dollars to spend in a frivilous manner is ludicrous. Take time to look around you and do a reality check. Life is not a bed of roses for a large number of people in our hobby. So to these people I say ask your questions and don't be embarrassed because you can't afford the luxuries in life! Most Barners will be happy to answer your questions and are not upset that you either can't afford or choose not to spend your money on the aforementioned books. Wayne

[updraught]

How do I load them onto my phone?

[ian Simpson]

Originally Posted by updraught

How do I load them onto my phone?

Scan them into a PDF and e-mail them to yourself, or put them in the cloud, etc.

Also, I agree with post 26, above, too often the books tell you what to do not how to do it.

[updraught]

Originally Posted by ian Simpson

Scan them into a PDF and e-mail them to yourself, or put them in the cloud, etc.

That would be illegal. I wouldn't want to end up in a US jail. I've seen Midnight Express.

[forever4]

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It seems that American Society really has embraced the Age of Socialist Entitlement, where the 'haves' are expected to spoon feed the 'have-nots', whether it is the transfer of money and hard assets, or knowledge and skills.

What ever happened to personal ambition, motivation, and drive?
What about self satisfaction for knowledge acquired and skills developed and personal achievement?

Often accused hoarder of knowledge, parts, and skills.
I like helping people who appreciate help, and are also willing to help themselves.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by forever4

It seems that American Society really has embraced the Age of Socialist Entitlement, where the 'haves' are expected to spoon feed the 'have-nots', whether it is the transfer of money and hard assets, or knowledge and skills.

What ever happened to personal ambition, motivation, and drive?
What about self satisfaction for knowledge acquired and skills developed and personal achievement?

Often accused hoarder of knowledge, parts, and skills.
I like helping people who appreciate help, and are also willing to help themselves.

Damn!!! Your attitude towards life sucks, is it only for Model A owners or life today in general? If it is so damn fecked up as you believe you are living it, maybe it's time for you to seek out an end to your disparity beliefs.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Why should they, when they can ask on a message board? It's much easier then buying and reading. Plus aren't books old school, out dated?

[PatrickGrant]

Just bought 3 of Les's books from Eric Wagner because I'm afraid of people and lions !

[Mike V. Florida]

Originally Posted by Chuck Sea/Tac

Why should they, when they can ask on a message board? It's much easier then buying and reading. Plus aren't books old school, out dated?

I don't know about easier but it is cheaper. I have those books and more.

[RUNNERBUN]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

Why is it a guy will spend $10-$18k for a car and not spend $55 for the Restoration Guides, $35 for The Les Andrews red book, and $40 for a copy of the Ford Service Bulletins:

Those three books will set you back at least $260 Aust. dollars plus postage to buy here in Australia, is one very good reason.
I have no doubt that they will be most useful to own and a great source of information but the resource of great knowledge here on the Barn can and will solve problems that a book cannot, as personal help from those that have experienced the same problem is invaluable. Ask a question here and you can get many different possible solutions offered.
What does annoy me is when a question is asked and a reply to the OP is buy the book. Why bother answering if you can't offer help. Is that not what this forum is about.
JMHO

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by RUNNERBUN

What does annoy me is when a question is asked and a reply to the OP is buy the book. Why bother answering if you can't offer help. Is that not what this forum is about.
JMHO

X2

Second most common non answer is "Do a search".

Its perfectly OK NOT to answer a question if it bothers you that you know the answer and the poster doesn't. No need to make the poster feel small.

[Hoogah]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

Why is it a guy will spend $10-$18k for a car and not spend $55 for the Restoration Guides, $35 for The Les Andrews red book, and $40 for a copy of the Ford Service Bulletins, which together would answer 92.7% of his questions and confusions about his new acquisition?

I'm not complaining, because there is also a lot of information to be gained here from knowledgeable and experienced A guys, and even after 55 years in the hobby I learn things, but not everything can be fully explained on this site. It just seems curious to me that people don't avail themselves of these resources.

Ray,

We're people. People like to interact. Different people learn in different ways, or in a combination of ways. Some people are also lazy and prefer a quick fix rather than try to understand stuff from first principles. People don't always act rationally.

You strike me as a knowledgable guy. I suspect you already know all of this.

I'm a relatively new Model A owner, but I don't have a mechanical background nor am I confident in tackling new mechanical or electrical problems. I've bought both Les Andrews books, I consult various online info sources, and am about to purchase the revised Restoration Guidelines, but I don't imagine they will stop me from seeking out opinions and experience here! Adults learn in a range of ways, myself included. It's all grist to the mill!

I'll turn your question back on you. Given the frustrations you expressed in your original post, why are YOU such an active FordBarn member?

[Manager]

Just an example I was fixing my exhaust manifold to pipe leak the other day. Searched it on here and found 6 opinions and ideas and took the best info out off all of them . No book could give you 6 real life up to date cases to get info from. Not to mention if an error is made in a book it could be years and buy the next edition till you find out the hard way. I don't have the Andrew or whoever he is books because it's obvious from the posts about the errors in them that you are better off without them.Far better real life up to date last 7.3% info here.The first 92.7% is probably common sence anyway.

[bnchief]

I have the books and have read them and have overlooked some things in them or some things in the books can be wrong such as torque etc in Les's book also sometimes a little more detail. I ask and read the books because there are a lot of helpful, people here who know a lot and an extra idea has helped me a lot along the way.

[pooch]

Old farts who are tired of the same old questions.

They forget they were newbies once.

[2manycars]

Originally Posted by pooch

Old farts who are tired of the same old questions.

They forget they were newbies once.

That is why some of the knowledgeable people have left, or seldom post. Most of the new people questions have indeed been asked and answered many times, and could be easily found in the search option. People take the path of least resistance.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by 2manycars

That is why some of the knowledgeable people have left, or seldom post. Most of the new people questions have indeed been asked and answered many times, and could be easily found in the search option. People take the path of least resistance.

I would guess that many newbies have little or no experience with on-line forums and have no idea there is a search function and how to use it.

Merely telling a newbie to buy the book or do a search doesn't do much to encourage new Model A owners.

[midgetracer]

Amen Dick. I could not have said it better. Let's not be a bunch of snobby old codgers.

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by midgetracer

Let's not be a bunch of snobby old codgers.

I'm OK with that as long as you STAY OFF MY LAWN!