Are you or are you not!!!! That is my question....

[31 Model A]

a Mechanic....a mechanic enough to do absolutely every repair on your A yourself or do you only do what we called in the military, 1st echelon maintenance, check oil levels, air pressure, lights, etc. Do you seek out someone more qualified than your self to do the work, are you "edjamakated' enough in mechanical know-how to read and learn and then do.
I know the answer from some is quite obvious but some times, rarely though, the experts might need help with something, just having someone hold a wrench.............
I did a bit of 2nd echelon work on Sarah last winter with the help and direction from those here who knew what I didn't but no way could I venture into many things Larry did and will be doing over this winter. I'm just not that 'edjamakated' nor do I have the interest nor do I have the tools or the proper place. Hey, some are lovers and some are mechanics!!! Which one or you??????????????????????

[kenparker]

juz came in fer lunch, ben working on the A all mawnin'. Don't kno whut echlon I am, but I do everything but pour the babbit and line bore the block.

[MAG]

" Don't kno whut echlon I am, but I do everything but pour the babbit and line bore the block."
X 2

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by kenparker

juz came in fer lunch, ben working on the A all mawnin'. Don't kno whut echlon I am, but I do everything but pour the babbit and line bore the block.

You'd be 4th echelon, Depot Maintaince in the Army.

1st Echelon....Operator level
2nd Echelon...Company or Battery level
3rd Echelon....Battalion level
4th Echelon ...Depot

[Bill in SoCal]

Originally Posted by kenparker

juz came in fer lunch, ben working on the A all mawnin'. Don't kno whut echlon I am, but I do everything but pour the babbit and line bore the block.

Me too. I'm not a mechanic, but I have enjoyed working on cars since I was a teenager. I cannot help but learn as I go. For me - it's the journey that matters. Bill

[mshmodela]

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Mr. Grit,

Clearly some Model A owners have the skills to do most anything on their cars --some not.. That does not make those who can better men/women, but they are just more experienced.

At this point, I've done all the work on my car myself and will continue to. If I have to pull the engine etc. one day, I'll have at... There is no other way to learn, slow and document the process with notes and photos is my plan when that day comes.... I did not know jack about repairing my silly Apple Macbook after a dump ass coffee spill... 55 screws held the damn keyboard to the app case... $28 vs $1,200 from Apple... I learned somethings... and then some... I figure the same with my 31'.

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by mshmodela

Mr. Grit,

Clearly some Model A owners have the skills to do most anything on their cars --some not.. That does not make those who can better men/women, but they are just more experienced.

At this point, I've done all the work on my car myself and will continue to. If I have to pull the engine etc. one day, I'll have at... There is no other way to learn, slow and document the process with notes and photos is my plan when that day comes.... I did not know jack about repairing my silly Apple Macbook after a dump ass coffee spill... 55 screws held the damn keyboard to the app case... $28 vs $1,200 from Apple... I learned somethings... and then some... I figure the same with my 31'.

Larry has already express the need of my help this winter with Sarah, not for knowledge but as a second person's set of hands which I will gladly give. Of course I will charge him $80.00 an hour for my help!!!!

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

Larry has already express the need of my help this winter with Sarah, not for knowledge but as a second person's set of hands which I will gladly give. Of course I will charge him $80.00 an hour for my help!!!!

I have seen signs, hourly rate$,you worked on$$, you help me$$$
This is a first 80$ to help your mechanic:-) What are going to charge
just to sit and watch him work ;-) keep warm, take some beverages

[31 Model A]

Originally Posted by Big hammer

I have seen signs, hourly rate$,you worked on$$, you help me$$$
This is a first 80$ to help your mechanic:-) What are going to charge
just to sit and watch him work ;-) keep warm, take some beverages

Well, if Larry shoves a beer into my hand, I'll just have to sit back and...supervise!!!! Choice #4.

[larrys40]

Originally Posted by 31 Model A

Well, if Larry shoves a beer into my hand, I'll just have to sit back and...supervise!!!! Choice #4.

Sonny, you're welcome to do that.... and looking forward to getting Sarah soon so she's good and ready for spring!
I was fortunate to have a good mechanical aptitude and a mentor to "A's" and so as you know do all my own work, both mechanical, body, Paint, Babbitt pouring and machine work with the exception of turning cranks and cams.

I'm a tool nut and an avid KR Wilson and Ford Heyer test set junkie. I can't imagine not having the tools and equipment to do the job. I'm self taught in much of it but I can't take all the credit. I had a great mentor and since deceased friend Terry Oberer. Some of the forum members older than me may remember him. I enjoy working on "A"'s... pretty much do so 7 days a week with a break or so every now and then. Also schooled in flathead V8's and others.

I've enjoyed driving and touring everywhere in the "A's" from the Pikes Peak to the east and many long distance tours.
Model A Folks are the best!

Larry Shepard

[Rowdy]

Being an FAA certified A&P who has been bending wrenches since I was 8 and now work as a certified Crown Equipment forktruck tech/ maintenance trainer I can fix almost anything that comes along. Before the last 8 years of medical and financial hell I was learning to pour bearings. Hoping things in the next few years will improve to the point I can work on this persuit again. Have some scrap blocks that I am also going to start figuring out what I need to do with my kwikway line bore set up to hopefully start machining blocks for inserts also. I am not going to vote as I think these Polls are pure BS, but judge for yourself by my answer. Rod

[CarlG]

I do what I know I can do, ask for help for things I'm unsure of, and on others, I let the professionals who really do know what they are doing -- do their thing.

[Vin-tin]

Originally Posted by carlg

i do what i know i can do, ask for help for things i'm unsure of, and on others, i let the professionals who really do know what they are doing -- do their thing.

x2.

[monto]

Originally Posted by carlg

i do what i know i can do, ask for help for things i'm unsure of, and on others, i let the professionals who really do know what they are doing -- do their thing.

x3.

[Bob C]

I do about everything except engine machining.

Bob

[Synchro909]

Originally Posted by Bob C

I do about everything except engine machining.

Bob

That's about my place in this survey too.

[WestCoast]

I can do most every thing that needs to be on many engines, dis assembling inspecting and re assembling, I am not trained or do I have the equipment to do the heavy machine work, boring, cam and crank grinding and line boring, so I don't really now where I fit in the question, but I believe most of the guys in here fit in with me, we are the ones you want on your tours to fix most of the problems that occur on the road, the ones who keep your week end from being ruined

[mike657894]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

I can do most every thing that needs to be on many engines, dis assembling inspecting and re assembling, I am not trained or do I have the equipment to do the heavy machine work, boring, cam and crank grinding and line boring, so I don't really now where I fit in the question, but I believe most of the guys in here fit in with me, we are the ones you want on your tours to fix most of the problems that occur on the road, the ones who keep your week end from being ruined

if your doing everything that doesn't require large shop machinery i would say that is doing it all.

[mike657894]

im 32 when i was 16 after having my first car for 4 days a 1988 grand prix 3.1l fwd I slid into a curb bending the front cradle frame. my dad had a freind in the junk yard biz and got me a used cradle for 150. and he was pissed that i ruined a car in just 4 days. so i stayed out of the house and in the garage for a while by myself. other than stripping out the rack and costing me another 75$ and getting dad out there a few times when i hit road blocks(one was showing me the effectiveness of a breaker bar with 6ft of pipe slid over the end). I was on my way to being a one man army of auto restoration.

[daveymc29]

With luck I can charge the battery. As long as its an Optima and that only lasted for 14 months, so you'll see why I occasionally get on this site for a bit of advice. USMC trained tank mechanic.