Career Idea

[Hick727]

So today at school we were asked what we wanted to do for a career when we grow up. I have been planning on working construction for a while now. But the speaker we had started talking about how when choosing a career, pick something that you enjoy doing already and see if you can make money at it. First thing i thought of was MUSCLE CARS!

So ive been thinking about it and Ive decided that for my future career i want to own a Classic Car Restoration Shop where people bring in old cars for me to restore for them or i buy old cars to restore, soup up and sell. I want it to also be a Performance Engine Shop where people can buy custom or pre designed (by me) Turn Key engines and Race Engines for the strip or track. My best friend also is into cars. So we decided we would start the business together.

My question is :

How did you learn so much about engines? Ive been looking at other performance engine shops online and i see all of the stuff they have on all of their engines and my brain just gets overwhelmed!

Like how do you figure out what to choose for each build? Like will this comp cam work with this head.
Stuff like that.

And what are the major ways of gaining huge horsepower? Like is it piston choice or crankshaft choice? Do all these huge horsepower engines have superchargers on them?

I am such a novice.

 

[Coronet 500]

I looked up your previous posts about drag racing and agree with CtownChris.For now buy yourself one of the "How to Hot Rod" or Mopar Performance books for the engine you have now and read.When you do get to the track find the Mopar guys and I'm sure you will get all kinds of help.Us older guys love to see the young fellas who want to learn about the great V8.

 

[Propwash]

Hey Hick,

Before you go digging into performance upgrades and what makes the wheels go around even faster, get down the basics first. Books are great and keeping an open ear to experienced folks is even better, but the best way i've found to really grasp engine concepts is by putting your hands on it.

Not too far back down the road, I saved up some hard earned teenage nickels and dimes and strolled down to the local salvage yard and picked up a 318 out of an old cordoba for 25 bucks. I ripped it apart and put it back together, then again and again. Even though i've been around Detroit steel my whole life, (tinkering with cars on lazy sunday's with my old man my whole childhood), disassembling and assembling that worn out 318 gave me my own basic knowledge of V8's and how everything inside works together to put rubber to road.

After that, 5 gallon buckets filled with dismantled carbs and distributers, 400 Turbo and 727 tranny's in parts and pieces and a Ford 9" rear end proped up against my six drawer craftsman tool box I was ever so proud of at the time, brought my mom to the edge of insanity.

Those moments in my life really created the foundation for me to truely understand how it's all tied together. After that, its a bit easier to contemplate how pushing the envelope on one part of the engine effect others and you start to see the balancing act.

Its all about the basic's my friend. If you can rip the metering rods out of a Rochester, an Edelbrock shouldn't be a problem. Pulling a power steering pump out an old pontiac will make changing the leaky saginaw out of a Dart a breeze.

In the end, don't ever be afraid to get your hands dirty, ask lots of questions and always keep an open ear. I've found the guys that don't listen or know it all (and of course have the fastest car in the world), are usually the ones on the side of the road with the hood up. I'm no mechanical genius and I still learn tons of new stuff everyday thanks to folks on great sites like this one.

Its always great to see a younger guy coming up in the ranks as well as a fella chasing his dreams. Wish you and your bud a successful business venture and thanks for helping to keep the american legacy of the automobile alive.

Prop

 

[detmatt1]

What can be said after a post like that Prop?, had to wipe the damn tears off of my keyboard! Sounds like your on the right road, stay focused, be the sponge.

 

[wannadrag]

Well said Will.Lots of reading,my 1st Hot Rod magazine in 1975 and have been a subscriber of some type of rag for 35 years.

 

[Superfreak]

Not easy to make a living on peoples hobbies. Lots of businesses drastically down size or close up shop based on how much money people have to spend unless you have a good rep and cater specifically to the rich.

 

[Hick727]

Hey Hick,

Before you go digging into performance upgrades and what makes the wheels go around even faster, get down the basics first. Books are great and keeping an open ear to experienced folks is even better, but the best way i've found to really grasp engine concepts is by putting your hands on it.

Not too far back down the road, I saved up some hard earned teenage nickels and dimes and strolled down to the local salvage yard and picked up a 318 out of an old cordoba for 25 bucks. I ripped it apart and put it back together, then again and again. Even though i've been around Detroit steel my whole life, (tinkering with cars on lazy sunday's with my old man my whole childhood), disassembling and assembling that worn out 318 gave me my own basic knowledge of V8's and how everything inside works together to put rubber to road.

After that, 5 gallon buckets filled with dismantled carbs and distributers, 400 Turbo and 727 tranny's in parts and pieces and a Ford 9" rear end proped up against my six drawer craftsman tool box I was ever so proud of at the time, brought my mom to the edge of insanity.

Those moments in my life really created the foundation for me to truely understand how it's all tied together. After that, its a bit easier to contemplate how pushing the envelope on one part of the engine effect others and you start to see the balancing act.

Its all about the basic's my friend. If you can rip the metering rods out of a Rochester, an Edelbrock shouldn't be a problem. Pulling a power steering pump out an old pontiac will make changing the leaky saginaw out of a Dart a breeze.

In the end, don't ever be afraid to get your hands dirty, ask lots of questions and always keep an open ear. I've found the guys that don't listen or know it all (and of course have the fastest car in the world), are usually the ones on the side of the road with the hood up. I'm no mechanical genius and I still learn tons of new stuff everyday thanks to folks on great sites like this one.

Its always great to see a younger guy coming up in the ranks as well as a fella chasing his dreams. Wish you and your bud a successful business venture and thanks for helping to keep the american legacy of the automobile alive.

Prop

WOW! Thanks! I might go to a local junk yard and find a good block to work on.

Thanks!

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

WOW! Thanks! I might go to a local junk yard and find a good block to work on.

Thanks!

Maybe you can find a big block:idea1:That's some good advise right there!!You can look into some of the tech schools also.Good luck,young buck.

 

[Propwash]

What can be said after a post like that Prop?, had to wipe the damn tears off of my keyboard! Sounds like your on the right road, stay focused, be the sponge.

Sorry to get you choked up Matt...I'll get the miss's on sending you over a fruit basket..LOL J/K.

Just glad to see younger fella's grabbing onto the reigns. Driving around these days, sometimes it seems hope is lost and we are the last of a fading generation, but then you get a younger fella like Hick showing up, inspiring to keep these old cars alive.

I'm just glad I can shed any kind of advice to help the chap along.

 

[Cranky]

Where are you at in school? Do you plan to continue your education? Even though there are many successful businesses in the automotive field who have a minimal formal education, there are also many who are successful that are well educated too and a business degree can be very helpful in running your business.....engineering doesn't hurt either. Do your 'homework' before you open your doors because once you're open, going to school to gain some knowledge that you may need after the fact isn't very easy to do because all of your time will be trying to build the business. Also, when the economy fluctuates, your main clients may put their projects on hold and your income may suffer if that's all you do so it's also a good idea be be diversified in other areas besides restoration and racing/high performance engines.

 

[Hick727]

11th Grade and yes im going to college for 4 years

 

[generaljmwlee]

might want to think of a school like wyotech,or UTI

 

[dla4567]

Anybody in Minnesota got any old engines or parts he can have to tinker with? If you were close to me I could load you up. Try to find someone working on an old car that will let you hang out and help. No better teacher than bloody nuckles. good luck and have fun.

 

[Moparteacher]

A good community college with a certified program is a great place to start, and at a 1/4 of the cost of UTI, WyoTech, AAI, and such.
Here are some good Post Secondary schools in your state that offer Automotive and some Autobody programs that are NATEF Certified.

You can find more at www.natef.org

Century College
(Post-Secondary)

3300 Century Ave.
White Bear Lake MN 55110

Bob Olson

(651) 779-3429
Areas of Certification:
Automatic Transmission & Transaxle, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Engine Performance, Engine Repair, Heating and Air Conditioning, Manual Drive Train & Axles, Suspension & Steering
Programs:
Automobile
Certification Expiration: 11/2014

Dakota Co. Technical College
(Post-Secondary)

1300 145th St., E
Rosemount MN 55068

Tim McCluskey

(651) 423-8322
Areas of Certification:
Automatic Transmission & Transaxle, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Engine Performance, Engine Repair, Heating and Air Conditioning, Manual Drive Train & Axles, Suspension & Steering
Programs:
Automobile
Certification Expiration: 5/2011

Dakota Co. Technical College
(Post-Secondary)

1300 145th St., E.
Rosemount MN 55068

Scott Logan

(651) 423-8359
Areas of Certification:
Mechanical and Electrical, Non-Structural Analysis/Damage Repair, Painting and Refinishing, Structural Analysis and Damage Repair
Programs:
Collision Repair and Refinish
Certification Expiration: 9/2014

Dakota Co. Technical College - GM ASEP
(Post-Secondary)

1300 E. 145th St.
Rosemount MN 55068

Mark Hickman
Main Bldg.
(651) 423-8363
Areas of Certification:
Automatic Transmission & Transaxle, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Engine Performance, Engine Repair, Heating and Air Conditioning, Manual Drive Train & Axles, Suspension & Steering
Programs:
Automobile
Certification Expiration: 10/2014

Dunwoody College of Technology
(Post-Secondary)

818 Dunwoody Blvd.
Minneapolis MN 55403

Bruce Graffunder

(612) 381-8183
Areas of Certification:
Mechanical and Electrical, Non-Structural Analysis/Damage Repair, Painting and Refinishing, Structural Analysis and Damage Repair
Programs:
Collision Repair and Refinish
Certification Expiration: 8/2012

Dunwoody College of Technology
(Post-Secondary)

818 Dunwoody Blvd.
Minneapolis MN 55403

Joe Roemer

(612) 381-8181
Areas of Certification:
Automatic Transmission & Transaxle, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Engine Performance, Engine Repair, Heating and Air Conditioning, Manual Drive Train & Axles, Suspension & Steering
Programs:
Automobile
Certification Expiration: 11/2014

Dunwoody College of Technology - Chrysler CAP
(Post-Secondary)

818 Dunwoody Blvd.
Minneapolis MN 55403

Stephan Reinarts

(612) 381-8186
Areas of Certification:
Automatic Transmission & Transaxle, Brakes, Electrical/Electronic Systems, Engine Performance, Engine Repair, Heating and Air Conditioning, Manual Drive Train & Axles, Suspension & Steering
Programs:
Automobile
Certification Expiration: 6/2011

 

[Moparteacher]

Well I think specializing in classic muscle car restoration is a grand idea, but engine performance is not a big part of vehicle restoration. In fact most restoration shops farm out the engine and transmission build and just do the body and interior assembly work in-house. Restoration is a specialized field of autobody. Regardless, there is always good money to be made when you are the best at what you do.

Now there are some very successful shops that specialize in engine performance upgrades. These shops are usually fitted with machine shops and focus primarily on just the engine build and engine management systems, ie fuel, exhaust, computer management etc.

Regardless of what avenue you choose to pursue, I have a few recommendations;
1. Specialize. Do engine performance, Muscle car restoration, etc, but specialize in that area. Don't try to do it all.
2. Be the best at what it is you do. Know the most, work the hardest, be the most ethical, and work every day, beginning today, to be the best.
3. Obtain the best education you can afford, but not the most expensive. When it comes to Post Secondary education the most expensive is not the necessarily the best. In fact, it seldom is.
4. Follow your passion and don't let anybody deter you. That includes parents, friends, teachers, and lovers.
5. Get the most bang for your buck with your education. This means maximize your education by consuming every bit of knowledge that is offered. If you work the hardest in class and study the hardest and dedicate the most time and effort towards obtaining knowledge and skill, the pay-off will be exponentially greater than the effort. Opportunity comes to those poised to take advantage of it.
6. Have a plan, a realistic one, for obtaining the money required to invest in a buisiness.
7. Be weary of partners in buisiness.
8. Stay out of debt. Pay cash for everything.
9. Experience is not a sustitute for a formal education and vise-versa. They compliment each other and work best when the education achieved in the morning is mastered by experience in the evening.
10. Seek scholarship money and pursue apprenticeships and internships.

Good luck!
Gary Weaver
Automotive Instructor
College of Southern Nevada

 

[Hick727]

Anybody in Minnesota got any old engines or parts he can have to tinker with? If you were close to me I could load you up. Try to find someone working on an old car that will let you hang out and help. No better teacher than bloody nuckles. good luck and have fun.

Thanks for the advice! I was gonna go to the junk yard today to find a engine but it snowed here and the roads were bad.

 

[Coronet 500]

Hey H,If you don't have any micrometers get a decent caliper to measure as you take it apart.You might end up with something that might go back together and run,nothing better than that.Doesn't have to go into a car just make noise.Recently my son rebuilt his own 318 without my help.He came to me to check out what he thought might be a problem because it didn't feel right when he turned it.The pistons were put in backwards,didn't know what the notch was for.Probably hurt his pride but better to ask before the heads went on.I won't tell you about all the dumb stuff I did, he might read this someday.Remember, there are no dumb questions here.Good Luck.

 

[Propwash]

Anybody in Minnesota got any old engines or parts he can have to tinker with? If you were close to me I could load you up. Try to find someone working on an old car that will let you hang out and help. No better teacher than bloody nuckles. good luck and have fun.

Good idea! If you're ever strumming around Northeast Wisconsin Hick, I got an old 383 shortblock you could have.

 

[19mopar65]

Hey Hick727 what part of MN do ya live in?? As for the buisness, good idea! I got a job in an engine shop when I was still in high school....best place ever! I learned a lot from the guys that had been there the longest. Engine building is pretty sketchy sometimes because your at the mercy of whether your customer has the money to complete or pick their stuff up but the resto buisness is a great idea. There are quite a few engine building places around the twin cities too just for something to do part time to learn if ya have the time.