" White-collar" mechanics camp

[MrWampus]

I have an idea that I've been thinking about approaching my local specialty shop with. The shop is run by a long time Fiat/Lancia/Alfa/MG/Triumph guy and he specializes in pretty much all aspects of old car maintenance, repair and rebuild. This is the place I took "The Mistress" before I bought her for a good once-over. It's a small shop with only about 2 mechanics full time.

My idea is this: I have a lot of things I want to do to my car starting with running gear. I want to replace control arms, tie-rods, probably the center steering link, while I have everything off, I might as well go ahead and replace the brake discs and pads, rebuild any calipers that are bad, and so on and so on. I have a great deal of desire to do it myself but no garage, limited tools and only a mechanically minded layman's knowledge of procedure. I'd like to approach the shop and ask them if I bought the parts, paid them their labor rate can I use their shop facilities to do most of the work with supervision by either the shop owner or one of the mechanics? They get a full paying customer, I get to learn and do, everyone wins.

I'm sure there are all kinds of insurance issues to consider. I know that many mechanics are very particular about who goes in their space or touches their tools. I know that if they are really busy I would just be in the way etc. But, does the idea have any merrit?

I know that I'm not the only white-collar guy who sits behind a computer all day in a suit that would like to learn more about his car and have a chance to get his hands dirty. I would consider it to be like summer camp, thus I would be willing to pay for all my parts and I would be willing to pay the full labor price as well, perhaps even a surcharge if I could learn something in the process. I have seen the DIY shops advertised before but the ones I see only offer a bay with a lift for $20/hour and they offer no advice on your work. That wouldn't work for me, I need the technical expertise.

Thought I'd throw that out there and let you guys disect the idea.

[mdrburchette]

I think it's a cool idea, but if it's a small shop they may not be able to tie up a bay for an extended length of time. But, it wouldn't hurt to ask them, especially if you are paying their labor rate. Insurance regulations may be the deciding factor though. Do you have any Fiat buddies in your area that have a shop? You might be able to get together with them. I've had a few over my place, working on various projects and it makes it more fun.

[MrWampus]

I think it's a cool idea, but if it's a small shop they may not be able to tie up a bay for an extended length of time. But, it wouldn't hurt to ask them, especially if you are paying their labor rate. Insurance regulations may be the deciding factor though. Do you have any Fiat buddies in your area that have a shop? You might be able to get together with them. I've had a few over my place, working on various projects and it makes it more fun.

Hey! I'll just come over to YOUR house for a few days and do the work there! WS is only about 1.5 hours from me. I'll bring the beer!

Yeah I only have one Fiat buddy here in Charlotte right now and he is all-knowing but short on time with work/family/kids. I have another very experienced shade-tree mechanic friend with a garage and tools but he always has about 4 projects going and is a Ford guy not a Fiat guy. Right now his wife is incapacitated with a badly broken leg so all his mechanical projects are on hold.

In the spring next year I'll go on the market to buy a house with a suitable garage so I can begin accumulating tools. Now all I need is knowledge.

[124JOE]

do you have a tech book?

[azruss]

interesting idea but may be a hard sell. Any mechanic knows that it will take him 2 to 3 times longer to teach you than doing the job himself. worth a try pitching the idea but wouldnt be surprised if you got shot down.

[MrWampus]

do you have a tech book?

I don't but I could sure use one. Can you recommend a good one and a source? All I have at the moment is a PDF version of one that I downloaded. The scan quality was pretty low res though and the pictures are not much good.

[spiderrey]

I think with a good book as a guide and a few tools you would be good to go. I didnt know squat about mechanics, my spider needed a rebuild on the engine. i bought another engine and a book for a hundred bucks. I went to town, took my time and when I was done I called my mom out back to watch it fire up. I wasnt sure what was gonna happen so I told her to stand back. And damn, if it didnt fire right up and run. Soon I was building engines for my sisters and friends,. If your patient and can follow instrustions, you should be good to go. Plus you have this forum, it didnt exist back then.

[124JOE]

i have a haynes manual #094
its for spiders up to 1800
theres a different book for the FI cars
iap sells books on these cars

tools i use
a small floor jack
a set of stands
a craftsmen socket set with extentions and a swivel
a hammer,pliers,screw drivers and a mat to lay on

for cleaning scrapers wire brushes and some degreaser "hand cleaner"
and lots of old socks

if things dont look right then ask about them or fix it
before you know it things will be just great all with little help
have fun and ask everyone anything about fiats any way

[majicwrench]

As a long-time shop owner/mechanic/bookeeper/janitor I can't image making such a working arrangement for a zillion diff reasons.

And it is your car, but that "might as well change" attitude always gets to me, change the things that are broke. All cars run on used parts.

But like has been said, doesn't hurt to ask!
Keith

[124JOE]

and well for me i paid to get her done "body and suspetion and tranz and seats i did the rest sterio carpet and dash and doors and trunk and gastank and carb and brakes and hoses thave have been touched and a bunch more

but i was there when i wasnt earning some money
so i learned what i could being hands ON
and by now ill do whatever i can myself
and post any Qs on here

[124ADDHE]

When i was 16 my Scottish uncle gave me his 89' lada samara.....I didnt know a single thing about cars, bought a haynes manual and now, could run a bloody shop if i wanted....buy a lada, she will teach you more than you ever would want to know about auto repair

[mdrburchette]

We could have another tech day at my place in the spring. Ron might make me use my own shop but that's okay. I got tools. We'll see if we can get Craig and a couple others to join in the fun.

[124JOE]

wow video it and post it on U tube