Jive-Bomber submitted a new blog post: When Mechanics were Magicians... Continue reading the Original Blog Post
Two entirely different worlds, both require some of the same skill sets but some things on the cars of today seem to require a background in computer science. HRP
I grew up in the age where you did most of it yourself. My 2012 Colorado needed a headlight which I thought no big deal. Ended up taking it to the dealer where it was lengthy repair as they had to pull the grille to get to the headlight. That's progress! Love the video. Thanks
Hello, We started in an era where mechanical training was the key. Plus, if the local mechanic was able to fix something you could not, he was considered a genius. There was much respect for those that got trained in the various schools and academies back then. But, it did not matter how much training one got, it was how you were able to put it to work. Our dad’s close friend in Los Angeles was trained and knew/worked with the Eldebrock family, quite well from those early Los Angeles hot rod days. We respected his knowledge to the end of the world if it came to fixing a motor, tuning it a certain way, or building to get the most out of an engine. As far as any information about cars in general or how to do… something, he was a respected person when it came to knowledge of automobile engines or systems. Training, knowledge and skill combined to present it self to everyone he came in to contact with in his world. The information given to us in the many encounters and long conversations over time was respected and used by my brother (and me) in all aspects of automotive work. We were not trained as auto mechanics other than high school auto classes for three years. But even before we got to high school, we had a great****ociation from our dad’s friend. We actually liked where our****ociation was going in all works in automotives. We took his knowledge on a specific problem, worked it to the finish point and the motor(s) ran like a top. Consistency always pays off. Jnaki He was the first one to put us on to fine balancing our tires for maximum efficiency at the drags and on the street for long lasting wear and handling. The fine balancing also included tire shaving, which at the time was unheard of by 95% of the public. We all thought tires were round… but how much of a complete “roundness” was each tire? Even from a powerful manufacturer that used them in racing, factory contracts and just general public sales. After he told us about his friend just a few miles away in a small L.A. shop, we were amazed how much tire rubber was left on the ground when we witnessed the true tire shaving and balancing on those machines being used. All of the service cars he has worked on from customers had the extra mile given to them with little tricks and well established protocols in auto mechanics. Our tires balanced easily and with the whole car alignment, it tracked well and was a dream to drive anywhere. (Including the dragstrip.) This drag racing/street acceleration time period was relatively easy to shave and balance. This mild custom phase with the C&O Stick Hydro, Racer Brown Cam/Lifter Kit and Buick Skylark Wire Wheels took a little while longer to get it smooth, round, and balanced correctly for a continued good driving hot rod sedan. (Thanks for capturing the Skylark look... @themoose) Our friend is gone now, but his help in getting us started in automotives led to our hot rod/drag racing builds and long lasting knowledge in the automotive world. After our drag racing accident, he was thinking about what we planned to do next. He latched on to a Flathead powered modified Ford sedan and offered it to us as the next step. Perhaps, Bonneville and the El Mirage Lake racing was an alternative we might be interested in, as our next round of involvement. Then, as we moved on to our next adventures in the desert motorcycle racing, he suggested a better custom air filter. Then the next phase to conquer the massive dust clouds, ever so prevalent, lead to the dual spark plug head with manual switching capabilities while riding through the dusty areas. Thanks, J, we always think of your kindness and knowledge…
The Jalopy Journal
