theWeezL said:
you seem like a nice kid Phoenix, (btw, did you ever play Tribes2?) and you dont sound like a "dumbass" just inexperienced. My best advice is to take it slow. Stop and think! Before you jump into a repair consider the "what-if's"
What if I break a bolt? what if I cant get this part off easily? What if I need more parts to complete the job, what will they be? Also, if you dont already have one, get a repair manual for both your cars. I recommend for someone like you, either a Haynes or Chiltons manual because they are geared more towards the novice mechanic. You should also have the online TSRM (for your Supra) bookmarked or downloaded for reference as well, But I would not attempt any repairs that arent outlined in the Haynes/chiltons manuals. READ the section on the repair your going to attempt BEFORE you start the repair. I still read my repair manual before doing a job, and I have 20+ years experience. I like to read it the night before I know Im going to work on it...then again in the morning. It helps give me a plan of attack and gives me a good overview of what I need to do.
Second piece of advice is to start collecting good tools. The proper tool for any job can not only make your life easier, it can help you avoid breaking stuff. You dont need the most expensive tools in the world...for lots of tools you can even buy the cheap Harbor Frieght crap, stuff you may only use once in a great while, like a specialized bit, or socket. For the most used stuff, Craftsman is a good quality brand with a lifetime replacement warranty, cant go wrong with craftsman.
third piece of advice. Dont listen to what your friends say...better yet, tell him to STFU, its your car, its your life, and if he want to remain your friend he can either be supportive or GTFO. Tell him you dont need a friend that bags on you, tell him you need a friend that will stand by your side..if he isnt willing to listen...get a new friend.
final piece of advice, find a local car club and find out what it takes to join it. Dont be pushy and dont go in with the attitude of only wanting to take from it...offer something back (like volunteer to direct traffic at an event or offer to serve food or drinks... or anything else you can do to pay back the club for what you're gonna end up taking in return). Even if the car club isnt Supra, or even Toyota specific, car guys know how to work on cars...it isnt a brand specific skill. Once you have established a network within that club you will have a support group that can lend a hand when you need it. Dont expect everyone to drop what they are doing to come do your work for you though...just like here, we expect you do some homework first. Besides if they do the work for you you wont learn for yourself, if someone guides you, you will remember much better and your skill will improve faster.
Good luck with both cars!
Well, I am a good kid (21 but yeah) I suppose, I dont like to boast but Im not out fuckin around with anything I shouldn't be (drugs, alcohol, ect.) I am 21 but Im just trying to get my shit straight with money and where I want to be in 5 years. I played Tribes2 YEARS ago, what made you ask?
Considering the what-ifs is something I usually dont account for. I kinda learn as I go. Ive done it with computers, game consoles, electronics, stuff around the house, ANYTHING. I take it apart with my common logic and put it back together the same, if it runs, I did it right. From there I see what I can improve while Im in there. With cars I did massive research over the span of 3 years now. Constantly asking questions, talking to people, looking online, studying anything I could. I can map the entire supra engine in my head right now but its still hard for me to diagnose some stuff. (vac lines I have a problem remembering)
I checked the haynes and chiltons for my corsica, they are horrible. I spend the last 3 days researching this car, Ive learned it. I gotta fix it the right way now, which im in the process of doing. I have the TSRM in 3 places, online, on my comp, and printed out in my car. I looked through the TSRM many times since I bought the car and I ALWAYS check on what Im about to repair. I dont always think ahead no, but I do look and make sure I know where Im going when I jump in it. If we look back, I really didnt fuck up anything on the supra, Im just finding out what the real problem is after its apart. The only thing I fucked up that was stuck was that alternator bolt. The rest really is still A OK. I even looked on howstuffworks.com when I got my firebird 3 years ago bc I wanted to know how an engine actually worked, all the way through. Then I went from there.
Tools, I dont have everything, but what I have works great. I have a good socket set, some extra sockets, LOTS of combo wrenches (JUST aquired, free from my neighbor, and a tool box!) Hammers, wrenches...yatta yatta. I need jack stands, engine hoist and lift, and some other small tools. I want more tools but Im the kinda guy who makes what he has, work. Not always the best and I AGREE that I should not do that with the supra, EVER, and Im not going to, I just really havent needed anything else yet.
Yeah friends can be dicks, I know who my real ones are. Its hard bc my 2 childhood best friends moved (one to dallas, ones living in georgia for a year with my cousin then they are moving back here to get married). My friend in dallas I can see now and then if I have something to get me there, hes so busy we barely talk. My other best friend in GA, really busy now but he just left a month ago. When he was here he kept telling me, man fuck what anyone says man just do it. Youre a big boy quit takin that BS. He was always helpful with anything I needed. My other close friends are here but busy as hell, one just took his MCAT and is hard at work to be a doctor. The friend that sold me the car is best friends with the dick telling me to take it to a mechanic. Everyone in my group of friends knows everyone, no one likes the other guy, but the guy who sold me the supra has been a great friend up until recently. He seems almost brainwashed. I did tell him how he was makin me feel about it, belittled and all, I really did cherish our friendship. He appologized and said he didnt mean that at all. After that he said we should hang out soon, he hasnt said that in almost 2 years. The other "friend" I work with so I see alot, but Im not talking about it to him anymore. He did some other shit a few weeks ago, acted like a child, and he tries to put off that he isnt. TOO long of a story but in short, I said I never see him work on cars at all and hes telling me to take it to a mechanic. I said Im too broke and he just went on. Few days later he txt'd me saying he was changing his alternator and waiting on me to come watch so I could see he knew how to... I was like wow... what a baby.
Car club, been looking for one. Id love to help out with anything I could, thats something I love doing for others. I cant find a car club. I did find a local car meet that shows up every 2 weeks at an arcade down town, owner has a 1000+HP MKIV that he brings, its sick. Other than that I took the supra once, I was the only MKIII there and people were going nuts, they made me park in back bc the room up front was for a special photoshoot that night. They said hey man I dont wanna tell you too, great car, but it has to go in the back, they appologized like 4 times for it.. I said it was fine haha. When I left I drove out front and all the guys were like DUDE!!! LOOK AT THE FUCKIN SUPRA!!! AWESOME. and all this other stuff, I couldnt believe it. I might go back there to help and get associated. Other than that I was flagged down by 2 friends at a gas station who has maroon supras, GTEs. One was 91 auto the other was an 87 Standard. They were torn up and they just kept saying how nice my supra was, then invited me to a local meet down the road... 100+ cars, all mostly domestic, we were the onyl ones there. This was a week after I got it, and my car got so much attention, wasnt clean, was completely STOCK. Anyways, Im going off the point Im sorry, I guess I could try to locate those guys again too, see whats going on.... maybe Ill start a local supra club, Im kinda surprised I cant find one here in Houston....
Anyways, I know I seem really irresponsible and childish with my posts, I really am sorry, thats not like me and everything just feels like its coming down lately. Im picking up the pieces now and I will get on my feet and one day meet as many of you guys as I can at meets and what not. I really appreciate ALL of the help and criticism from this place, mean, hard, truthful, helpful, all of it. I want all of your opinions, Id never judge you on them, especially for my actions and the fact Ive never met you in person.
Thanks guys, all of you, I will definately keep going, Im not a quitter, I dont know how.:evil2:
