so... im 21... i've had my 52 ford customline for about 6 months now... its all original... looks like it's been sittin in someones garage for years. its a 4 door (and? dont really know why guys make a big deal about that... in my opinion a cl***ic is a cl***ic no matter how many doors its got) straight 6, three on the tree... its actually my first car EVER. dont have any experience with cars whatsoever... i've always been into the kustom and hotrod "scene" or lifestyle or whatever you want to call it... so i figured the best way to get started is to just buy a ride and jump straight into it... its kinda frustrating tho when you dont really know what to do... but im definately willing to learn ANYTHING i can... anyway i was hoping to see if there are any locals out here in the san fernando valley that wouldnt mind having a kid around to learn new tricks of the trade... im open to all help and advice i can get... open to all comments and criticism... so whatcha got for me!
Hey dude take some cl***es at the local community college, I think most of them are free through certain community programs, that way you'll start from the basics, learn right and have a shop and tools to work on your car, then you can learn to wrench, weld and **** up your car like the rest of us. You really want to know what your doing and why your doing it. Not just turn a wrench and half *** it. Get to know your car, and about other cars, it'll help you with alot of things in life. Hope that helps. Anthony And if your good at reading buy some books on your motor and the manual for your car. I hate to read and would rather look at b&w pictures.. dont be like me.. haha
hey, I wouldnt mind seeing some pics of your car if you wanna post them. What do you wanna do to the car?
I learned by hanging around with guys that shared the same interests. Lots of Hamb members live or have shops in the valley. Maybe contact a few that are working on projects and help be a gopher or an extra sets of hands.
the best way to get into it is with a club.. Im in simi.. got a lot of builds goin. I can do work on your ride and show you some stuff at the same time.
I learned mostly by trial and error, lots of reading, and thinking through every problem. And developing patience. And go do an intro.
Get a Shop Manual for the car. Peer through the pages to become "one" with the car. Look and see how all the mechanicals of the car work. If it doesnt run, or maybe it needs a tune up...do that first. Go to the brakes and so and so forth. Cosmetics should always be last IMHO. Get it running, enjoy it and personalize it to your taste. Look at similar cars, take notes and decide the day to push forward to get it done.
first you'll need to learn how to use a car jack....no bumper jacks, and how to secure it properly on jack stands. One of my friends worked at a trans shop and was killed when a car fell on him....take it seriously what are your plans for it.....just drop it and drive it
You have come to a great place to learn and seem to have a good at***ude which will get you far here. All of the above info is great. Use this site to it's full potential but do it in a smart way. If you have questions use the search function first if you cannot find the information you need that way or still have a question then ask questions. Be polite and ignore those that give you a hard time, it will happen, until you have a better feel for this place. This is a great community of very knowledgeable people but they are very protective of it and don't like newbies coming in with guns a blazing. Welcome and have fun with your new car.
This is excellent advise and a good way to get started. Im in SFV. You should bring your car down to Bob's Big Boy In Burbank on Friday nights. And at Flames Restuarant in Northridge on Thursday nights. Both have Kustoms, Rods, Lowriders, Bikes etc... I got a few buddies with cl***ics so Ill let you know next time we go on a little cruise. Congrats on your car. And post some pics!
Arm yourself with books. First buy the FACTORY ISSUED Ford shop manual ... reading everything available here on the HAMB will be the most knowledge in the shortest amount of time you can get. Just hope you can find a way to get that manifold split, or maybe find a Fenton header - friends don't let friends drive cars with 1 pipe ! Also keep in mind a '52 Ford is not a cl***ic car - that term is for CCCA members & people who don't know anything about cars ...
congrats on the first car and a cool one at that. i always like seein guys my age who arent much into rice cakes. best way i did it was jump right in if you have the mechanical app***ude then you can mainly figure things out on your own. just read alot it gets you FAR. if you want to do any kind of body mod imo one of the greatest metal artists is a guy name ian roussel i think his shop is called v818 kustoms just ask some of the locals they could point you in his direction im sure he could tell you anything and everything you would wanna know!
It's always better to start off admitting you don't know anything than pretending you do...someone usually gets hurt or something gets broken... I am sure everyone here started out knowing nothing...I sure did. Just like everyone else keeps saying, get a shop manual for your car, then get to know it a bit. Crawl around, over, and under, start doing basic stuff like tune-ups and light maintenance before you get really ambitious... That 6 will last forever if you treat it right... Welcome to the HAMB...
FIRST OFF i'd like to thank everyone for the advice... i appreciate it... i actually bought the shop manual for the car and i have been reading it... i might not understand how it all works but im familiarizing myself with what i got... the car starts right up and runs... i took it to the pomona swapmeet once... down to long beach and up to the primer nationals in ventura... without any problems... there is a leak somwhere tho.... i see oil drips on the floor... a good amount to worry about i'd say... i'd like to get that fixed... also i dont know if its normal, but theres a lot of oil? i think it is... that comes out of the tail pipe... theres a big black spot on my wall where i park the car... looks like someone spray painted it... but yea i'd like to get that fixed as well... oh... sometimes when i leave the car idling after its been driven around for a while.... the car shuts off and it doesnt seem like theres any gas getting to the fuel filter... i just put a new fuel pump in it so im hoping its not that... someone said it might be vapor lock... (i'd like to know how to avoid this...) someone else said the gas tank may be dirty and theres debris blocking the screen in the tank... ?... they suggested i take off the gas tank and use hot water and throw some marbles in it and shake it around to get the debris out... i hope its just that... the car is in really good condition... it hasnt been cut anywhere... everythings original from what i can see... its kind of a shame to mess with it i think... you dont really see too many 52 customlines out there that are all original... what i would like to do... is just drop the rear maybe 3 inches? i put some pictures of my ride up... feel free to check em out... i'd appreciate any tips and help i can get... THANKS! -ROBO.
THERE SHE IS.... IM THINKIN MAYBE JUST DROPPING THE REAR? AND GETTING THE OTHER MECHANICAL STUFF FIXED... ANY SUGGESTIONS?
the black spot could just be carbon, which could mean your running rich, or it could be from burning oil, which could mean your rings are worn. does the car smoke, or smell like burning oil?
Robo whats up man...you should've stayed at the hotel with us longer at the primer nats, got a bit wasted...get a hold of ray and we'll drop that thing...
Welcome to the HAMB. First off, four doors or not, youve got yourself a very cool ride. A lot of us here always go to the Pomona swapmeet, next time you go, pm me and I'll let you know where we hang out. Spend time here on the HAMB and you'll get all the help you need...
yea at times it smells like its burning oil... and there is some smoke... not a lot though... that comes out of where i pour the oil in...
That is a great looking car. Also a perfect car to start your education with, those ol' ford 6's are pretty straighforward and easy to work on. First mission is figure out what the smoke is all about! Feel free to pm me if you need any help.
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