No automotive background, how do I mod?

[bigdude101]

Hi, I want to get myself a car to do up to work more reliably/efficiently/awesomely but I have no idea how to get in.
Having a background only in computers and the closest relative who knows anything about cars lives 3000kms away and is a Holden fan. Do I do a TAFE course, do I read up on workshop manuals or do I do something completely different?
Thank you for your help
bigdude101

[Allen]

Workshop manuals won't tell you how do modify anything...

Read through the build threads on here to get some inspiration, and an idea of what mods are worthwhile.
Ask questions when you aren't sure of something, and be prepared to empty your wallet when the mods start getting serious.

Just don't ask about electronic superchargers or performance chips.

[Kyle the ED4LTR]

fordmods.com might be a good place to try aswell, they got some decent doco's there

[bigdude101]

Thanks for that, I just remembered I also want to dig into the car to see what's inside without breaking anything.

[AaronEF8]

Workshop manuals won't tell you how do modify anything...

But you need to know what something is and how to take it apart before you modify it...

A TAFE course would be a good choice, they have courses for people who know very little and want to learn. Another good (well essential really) option is to simply buy a car and start playing with it. I'd suggest an E-Series because they're cheap as, information and parts are everywhere for them, they have very little rust problems and they're easy to work on, apart from the low bonnet height...

IMO the hardest part about learning about something (anything, not just cars) is sorting out the bullshit from the facts. The problem there is that everyone owns a car, so everyone assumes they are a mechanical engineer, so you get so much more bullshit than most other things.
A lot of people who work on cars for a job are only taught by one or 2 people as well and think because they're professionals (they get paid for it) they know everything. Not saying all mechanics are dumb, but quite a few are.
Anyone who tells you that old cars are heaps easier to work on than new cars is a redneck who is afraid of technology. Newer cars (EA-onwards) were designed to be assembled as quickly and cheaply as possible on the production line, so pretty much everything bolts/clips in. Once you work that part out, and accept the fact its generally easier to replace a part rather than repair it, working on newer cars gets a whole lot easier.

[Dansedgli]

Get the right tools. Dont use imperial spanners and sockets on an E series. Bolt heads will thread and cause you all kinds of trouble.

If you want to mod something do a search. Dont ask for help unless you have searched for 4 hours and cant find anything.

The best thing I did was buy a 2 toranas and take everything out of one and put it into another. It never got finished but I learned a shitload.

[XRated]

Yeah probably the best way to learn is to get hands-on experience by pulling a car apart and putting it back together. Like Aaron said, E-Series are awesome for this because they are cheap, pretty simple in the way they are built/put together, and there is usually lots of room to work with.

Also search on the Internet because there is an abundance of information; a really good place to start is http://www.howstuffworks.com. It's not a bible but it does help you see how things work (lots of diagrams and animations) - from engines, to turbos, to alternators.

[holmsy]

Get the right tools. Dont use imperial spanners and sockets on an E series. Bolt heads will thread and cause you all kinds of trouble.

.

except for the little nuts that hold the rear garnish on an ed.
for some reason they are the imperial equivalent of 10mm
and 10mm bit dont work.
stupid fuckin ford.

[Steady]

Or if you have a 5L.

I recommend getting decent tools.
Nothing worse then trying to do something with either the incorrect tool, or a tool that is shit.
Don't have to get Snapon, the cheaper Sidchrome stuff or TTI is good enough.

[Kyle the ED4LTR]

After helping Kev, i think Snap-On tools are the shit

[moonman]

Agreed on the tools - Ever since I've been working on mine in a workshop (A Mate of Mine) having everything there is a must.

I Find the best way to learn about something is to take it apart, have a look, possibly break it, and then fix it again.

[holmsy]

true.
it is well worth buying good tools.
first time i did a cam change i broke a socket undoing the rocker gear.
had to go get a peice from nearby place.
ever since then i have never bought a shit cheap tool and its great.
i threw out the old tools.

[Dumpsta]

Mate I didnt know anything about cars til I bought one, still dont haha Nah seriously, you learn as you go, fordmods.com and this site are a perfect starting point if you are looking at buying a ford, if the question hasnt already been asked then you'll be the first. Avoid any cheap nasty crap off ebay that tell you how good they are etc and you'll be right. Best way to learn is to have a go, do it yourself, I had no idea how suspension worked til I put new springs under my car with a mate thats a mechanic, he knew what he was doing, i had no idea.

[serial_fool]

My advice would to be to buy a wrecked EA Fairmont/Spack/Ghia for a couple hundred and just wrecking it out/ pulling down the parts that interest you. It should give you lots of experience and if some particular part is giving you trouble down the line on a road car, normally the parts on the EA-EL falcons are can be interchanged and used.