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Topic: Gettin Greasy

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Gettin Greasy (28/38)
 3/18/07 11:36pm
eddie20875Lifetime Member
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Lanoka Harbor, NJ - USA

Vette(s):
1975 metallic blue coupe with t-tops,L48, t/t steering, black leather interior. 1990 L98, white/red leather interior, auto,a/c


Joined: 12/21/2006
Posts: 828

i think it's great you ladies want to work on your vettes. lot of women out there say they do and when it gets down to it they disappear. funny, i have a brother-in-law that way. anyway, i learned a lot about working on cars from my father. he was a master back yard mechanic along with my brothers and a different brother-in-law than the mentioned before. one thing my father taught me was not be afraid to try and fix something. his thought was if you took something apart that was broke--1. you learned more about it and in the process it could be something easy to fix. 2. even if you didn't fix it no big problem as you had to buy one anyway.  it has always been easier for me to learn something by actually doing it than someone doing it and then telling me about it. i would tell you ladies to go to the tech days for a head start but don't be afraid to try things. just my thoughts.

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Gettin Greasy (29/38)
 3/19/07 11:05am
Autom8r
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Old Hickory, TN - USA

Vette(s):
1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////


Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599

I had a bad and dumb experience with plain old motor oil on acrylic enamel on the hood of my '59 Biscayne. I wiped up a puddle of oil and laid the shop rag on the hood and forgot about it for 2 months. When I removed the shop rag there was a cloth pattern in the paint. Luckily the paint was real thick and I was able to work the pattern out with a buffer and 3M "Finesse It" compound in about an hour.

(Dumb)DavetteAutom8r2007-03-19 08:08:24
Gettin Greasy (30/38)
 4/3/07 10:33pm
kkfinchLifetime Member
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Gresham, OR - USA

Vette(s):
1977 Maroon T-Top


Joined: 9/4/2006
Posts: 652

[QUOTE=Hmel '74]Hi ladies.
i ran across a book  a few years back called "auto repair for dummies". it was written by a lady, Deanna Sclar.  i'm sure you can still find it at about any bookstore.
but it is great for anyone wanting to know the basics about car repair.  it's easy to understand and she details certain basic things from flushing your radiator to checking wheel bearings.    i read it and it's the kind of book that gives you confidence to go out there and try it.
 [/QUOTE]

I took your advice, Jeff, and bought this book.  It looks great!!!  Thanks for the recommendation!  Thumbs%20Up

I came home the other night and caught hubby reading it.  When I said something, his response was "You might end up knowing more than I do...can't have that!!!"  Rolling%20On%20The%20Floor%20Laughing


Gettin Greasy (31/38)
 4/4/07 7:34am
hmel '74
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York, SC - USA

Vette(s):
1974 mille miglia red with oxblood interior 355ci, 320hp


Joined: 9/4/2005
Posts: 534

hey that's cool!  i'm glad you picked it up.

it definitely gave me some good basic info.

now go get dirty!!


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Gettin Greasy (32/38)
 1/19/08 1:36pm
78SEvetteLifetime Member
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Holland, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1978 Silver Anniversary Edition


Joined: 11/29/2004
Posts: 217

   I'll give you all credit for even thinking about doing something to your car. I've noticed from the posts that the only real issues are not knowing what to do and fear of trying. We didn't climb Mt Everest in one day. Start small. Don't ever be afraid to try something because you don't know about it. We learn and gain experience from making mistakes. My dad always told me that if your not making mistakes and learning from them, you are doing nothing.
    As far as manuals go, I use them daily in my job. Even though I have the information in my head, I still refer to them. They are a great source of information. Keep in mind that most of them are written with a mindset that you have some ability - if you have none, they can intimidate you. Ask questions. Follow the procedures - makes it somewhat easier and the procedures are important. When you remove something, lay it out in the order you remove it, left to right. When you put it back together, start from the right and work to the left. Parts left over are pocket parts (kidding-mechanics joke).
    If you don't want to get dirty, wear latex gloves. They are cheap, protect your hands and keep them from getting dirty. You may have to change them a lot because of damage. They are great for keeping fluids off you hands. If been "wrenching" for over 50 years and I wear them all the time. When you are done with your job you just throw them away and waha clean hands. If tried mechanics gloves and they don't work for me.
    I hope this will help you somewhat and encourage you to try different things to do. Try to remember that we don't make mistakes - we create learning experiences. Good luck and have fun with it.
 
Jim
Gettin Greasy (33/38)
 1/19/08 6:43pm
kstyerLifetime Member
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CUYAHOGA FALLS, OH - USA

Vette(s):
1975 C3 Red, T-Tops, Black Interior. All I need is time and money! Getting there!


Joined: 12/2/2003
Posts: 6424

I have 24 ASE certifications and have been doing this for 35 years.   And I use manuals.   If you don't read, you won't fix.
 
I think it's great that you are digging in.  AND if you want to avoid some of the grease, there is always latex gloves.
Gettin Greasy (34/38)
 1/20/08 3:19pm
Autom8r
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Old Hickory, TN - USA

Vette(s):
1978 L-82 Silver Anniversary hotrod. /////////////


Joined: 5/26/2003
Posts: 599

Ken...

I hope it isn't red yet!

Dave
Re: Gettin Greasy (35/38)
 1/9/14 6:56pm
cinorLifetime Member
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 L48 Stingray 1992 LT1


Joined: 12/24/2013
Posts: 414

yes I do. Have a 1992 that need a few things nothing major. Redid the motors on headlight this winter and have passenger door apart now needs a few little things also redoing the weatherstripping on the unit.  Just purchased a 1975 sitting in the shop at home and going to start on that this spring after the snow melts and it warms up a bit. first thing is the interior, then the motor. there are many courses that you can take on line and if its one particular job i'm sure you could get all the help you need right here on the forum.
cindy


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Re: Gettin Greasy (36/38)
 1/14/14 7:19pm
greypoupon69Lifetime Member
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Irving, TX - USA

Vette(s):
#1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks. #2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.


Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273

Yep, Cindy you are correct.  All the help you need is here on this forum.  Man, I have not been on here much anymore, been to busy redoing my own vette.  Just got her painted 4 months ago.  Best thing to do is just start going after the part that's messed up.  Don't fix it if it isn't broke.  Take pictures as you take it apart, get a cup for nuts and bolts. It's not really that hard, it's just fear of the unknown. Actually it is a great challenge to get over a fear of car repair.  I will not tackle a motor or transmission.  Special tools are need for that and the engine and tranny are too heavy for me to lift anyway!LOL

Just go for it girlfriend!Beer

Report back on the Ladies part of the Forum on your progress, this is your place to shine!Big smileThumbs Up


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Re: Gettin Greasy (37/38)
 5/1/14 8:52am
cinorLifetime Member
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, - Canada

Vette(s):
1975 L48 Stingray 1992 LT1


Joined: 12/24/2013
Posts: 414

Haven't been on this part of the forum lately but its nice to have this section.  so plans have changed I got an awesome free standing tool box for xmas and my tools are growing last addition was a torque wrench (my kids think its crazy when getting tools is exciting)  I now have decided that I am going to remove the body off my 75 redo all the suspension and update it and buff and paint the frame to get rid of all the surface rust.  Had a little better look at it last time I was home and see a fuel line is leaking so also gonna buy a flaring tool and a bender and replace all the steel lines.  I can't wait to get started this is gonna take some time I have budgeted on 5 years, good thing I have another one to drive.

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Re: Gettin Greasy (38/38)
 5/1/14 8:38pm
corvette440hpLifetime Member
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Joined: 7/2/2006
Posts: 8205

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