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PKRWUD · 03-14-2002, 06:25 PM

I ended up going to several high schools before I graduated, and they all offered an auto shop class, except for the one I graduated from. I never took any of them, but I think everyone should. I learned alot hanging out with my street racer buddies, and my neighbor who had a blown & NOS injected 427 Vega. I also learned alot from my own vehicles. My first car was given to me by my parents when I was 14 or 15 because it didn't run, and they figured I would never be able to fix it. Well, they were wrong. The first carb I ever rebuilt was on that car, and it ran great afterwards. It was a green 1974 Datsun B-210 hatchback. It had a whopping 78 horsepower. I went from that to a 1969 Chevelle Super Sport with a 325 hp 396. Big difference. It had brand new T/A radials on it when I bought it, but I had the back tires showing belts within 8 days. I learned alot on that car too. Nothing beats hands on experience, but the education that explains it is just as important. When I returned from Australia in 1986, I moved to Ventura and enrolled in an engine rebuilding class at the local cc. That was awesome. I learned so much, it was incredible. I went on to take just about every automotive class they offered over the next couple years, and took and passed 3 ASE certifications as well. I have since taken another years worth of classes there to become more affluent with fuel injection and OBDII, but that was 4 or 5 years ago. The trick to taking any auto class, whether it be high school or college, is to take it because you want to. There will be tons of knowledge just waiting for you to absorb, but you have to want it. You also have to be prepared to learn alot about other makes and models, not just Fords. It's great knowledge to have, though, and I strongly encourage anyone with the desire and opportunity to take as many classes as you can handle.

Take care,
-Chris

03-14-2002, 06:25 PM	#16
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	I ended up going to several high schools before I graduated, and they all offered an auto shop class, except for the one I graduated from. I never took any of them, but I think everyone should. I learned alot hanging out with my street racer buddies, and my neighbor who had a blown & NOS injected 427 Vega. I also learned alot from my own vehicles. My first car was given to me by my parents when I was 14 or 15 because it didn't run, and they figured I would never be able to fix it. Well, they were wrong. The first carb I ever rebuilt was on that car, and it ran great afterwards. It was a green 1974 Datsun B-210 hatchback. It had a whopping 78 horsepower. I went from that to a 1969 Chevelle Super Sport with a 325 hp 396. Big difference. It had brand new T/A radials on it when I bought it, but I had the back tires showing belts within 8 days. I learned alot on that car too. Nothing beats hands on experience, but the education that explains it is just as important. When I returned from Australia in 1986, I moved to Ventura and enrolled in an engine rebuilding class at the local cc. That was awesome. I learned so much, it was incredible. I went on to take just about every automotive class they offered over the next couple years, and took and passed 3 ASE certifications as well. I have since taken another years worth of classes there to become more affluent with fuel injection and OBDII, but that was 4 or 5 years ago. The trick to taking any auto class, whether it be high school or college, is to take it because you want to. There will be tons of knowledge just waiting for you to absorb, but you have to want it. You also have to be prepared to learn alot about other makes and models, not just Fords. It's great knowledge to have, though, and I strongly encourage anyone with the desire and opportunity to take as many classes as you can handle. Take care, -Chris __________________ Webmaster: Rice Haters Club Jim Porter Racing Peckerwoods Pit Stop Support Your Local RED & WHITE!