Get a big 3 ring binder and some dividers. Tape on a pen holder so you can keep the pen handy with it. Make a section for every car you own or work on. Whenever you replace a radiator hose, wheel bearing, or whatever, put the numbers in the book. Make sections for ideas and projects too. Also put in things like the radiator hose numbers your friends used if you ever plan on putting that kind of combination together. Beats hell out of spending hours looking at possible hose bends in the parts stores with a bent coathanger in hand. Also take lots of pics when you're doing something different so you can refer back later or show others how you did it. You could do this on the computer too but it's handier to jot down the numbers off that wheelbearing box in the garage before you trash it.
thats a simple idea, but a hell of a good one. especially with a mutt rod like mine! i cant ever remember things, so this is good. im going to do it today! thanks smokin joe trey
yeah that is a good idea, add on one of those pens that have a lanyard on it from the holder and your golden. if it wasnt tied to the folder itd end up somewere else if it was me lol tim
This is a great idea, I do this in a spiral notebook. Not only the maintenance records, but upgrades and part #'s I got the Idea from Sachse Rod shop, they sell a pamphlet where you fill in all the information. Rearend: Make_____ year____ ratio____ Date installed___ Engine: Make_____ year____ ci___ Cam____ Radiator Make_____ Year____ Driveline Length___ U-Joint part #____ You get the idea. TZ
The three ring binder is so if you find something on the net you can print it out and stick it in the book too. Lots of stuff here on the HAMB that comes in handy. Like the bolt pattern charts and rear end guides. Put the phone numbers of parts houses and suppliers in it too. Also the numbers for the guys that are dumb enough to come help you lift that sedan body off the frame! Having a phone in the garage is handy as long as you remember to cut the wires to the ringer before you hang it.
HAMB Book tech: I print HAMB threads I find useful to avoid losing them on the computer. The printouts, now about two feet of paper thickness after several years, go vertically in a box separated by marked sheets of cardboard into broad categories like "transmission/rear", "carburetors", and "Neat pictures". Threads are maked with subject line at the top if original heading isn't clear. A couple of bright red pieces of cardboard serve to mark where articles I am reading live. This is rapidly turning into an encyclopedia of useful tech info. The material is augmented with stuff from Ahooga.com and the flathead boards, but far more good stuff comes from HAMB than anywhere else.
I always cut off the part number from the box, mark what its for, and keep it in a safe place in my garage so I can reference it if I have to replace the part.
My old auto shop teacher started us along this path all those years ago! It was a course requirement that we keep a three ring binder notebook, and he'd collect it and grade you on it throughout the semester. It was more than just a collection of stuff copied from the blackboard, or notes taken from lectures or demonstrations, we had to include all of the various hand-outs he gave us, as well as torque specs and other sheets containing information about the particular engine we were rebuilding (in Auto Engine class). Further, he also required us to include magazine articles of interest or importance, photos of and details about our own cars, individual research results and other things we found related to automotive mechanics. After doing notebooks for this guy over three years of shop classes, I kind of got into the habit of writing stuff down and assembling data into folders and binders! Proof that I really DID learn something in high school!!! Good idea!!!
The Jalopy Journal
