(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best automotive repair books

I was for the most part doing other stuff in the shop but when I was over there it was pretty sweet. The coolest thing about this set up is that when they bar it over (turn the crank by hand) everything works. We had it cut so that you could see everything work.

As far as learning more I would just use wikipedia or how stuff works has a pretty good basic concept of two strokes. But if you have the money and wish to learn more there are a lot of books out there that are very helpful. I used a similar edition to this in school. You don't have to buy it you can thumb through it and get a pretty good understanding.

Hope that helps!

That's tricky. If you don't have a friend that's a mechanic plus you're a novice, a project car is going to bleed you dry financially. It would be a lot less expensive in the long run to buy a fully restored car.

Start here: www.amazon.com/Auto-Repair-Dummies-Deanna-Sclar/dp/0898153417

That's the 1989 edition that I started with in 1989. That, and a 1974 Pontiac Ventura. I was a complete novice at the time myself.

This book will be especially helpful to you, because it uses the author's 60's Mustang as a reference for everything. That's the 1st edition of the book. There is a second edition that's a lot more recent, but I don't know what's in it. For your 'Stang - get the 1st edition for $5 and save $20.

There's also a good chapter about what to look for when buying a car. That'll be helpful to you as well.

As far as being a novice goes, don't let that intimidate you. I've learned that 90% of mechanics is having the confidence in yourself that you can fix it, and you can fix it correctly. Always have the right tools for the job. Buy the best tools that you can afford. Today, there's a whole internet full of videos about car repair. I didn't have that luxury.

And good luck! I wanna see Mustang pictures one of these days.

I wanna do that stuff too. Not unrealistic at all, you can do a lot with 500w of solar and alternator charging. You could get 400ah of costco golf cart batteries, or two 8D batteries on craigslist. Or lithium if you have 3 grand.

As for the computer, even with a DC-DC PSU, a desktop pc just aint happening without a generator or a real long van chock full of non-stealthed panels. Even very efficient dc-dc desktop PSU's draw around 50 amps dc, too much. A gaming laptop can draw around 180w, or 7.5a-15 amps dc.
https://www.reddit.com/r/vandwellers/comments/5sblkq/gaming_laptop_plan_dcdc_90w_charger_75amps_dc_14/


For the solar panels I went with the renogy eclipse 100w panels for stealth, but if you don't care about stealth check out http://hurriedyear.com/2016/12/20/i-replaced-the-solar-panels/ for 1000w on a 158" sprinter. The panels are longer than the width of the van so it's not stealth but it does maximize power.

For a charge controller yeah you can scale it if you start with a powerful MPPT that can handle the maximum amperage you will eventually upgrade to, I got the victron 100/50 MPPT but that's only good for 500w, see the hurried year blog for 1000w. But I've only got one solar panel for now, later I'll at more in series, so yeah it's scalable. For more than 500W I'd need a second CC.

"how do I wire a system that has multiple and varied charging inputs "

Well you have an isolator or ACR for the alternator, you have a charge controller going straight to the battery for the solar and or wind, and you have an inverter charger for shore or generator power (That's one method).

I recommend starting with a solid understanding of DC electricity, wire gauge, fusing, and solenoids/relays. Try a book at the library or a PDF for automotive technicians. https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Electricity-Electronics-Automotive-Technician/dp/1428361219


How to: van electrical:

https://gnomadhome.com/van-build-solar-electrical-wiring/
Try searching for "van wiring electrical schematic build blog"

https://www.docdroid.net/T5EsXxR/solar-setup-sprinter-pirate.pdf

Book I find real helpful is the sprinter rv conversion sourcebook. I wasn't able to find it for free but it was worth the money.

Oh man, I grew up in VT, I would actually take you up on that if I was still in the northeast. A buddy of mine works for a race shop up there, does a lot of Porsche and D Sports Racer type stuff. Fun city and I know a girl up there who's definitely worth the trip on her own merits. Who knows, maybe I'll message you about that someday :)

If you want some further reading, I recommend checking out A Graham Bell's Four Stroke Performance Tuning then Gordon Blair's Design and Simulation of Four Stroke Engines. Those two really focus on combustion and intake/exhaust work, which is the bread and butter of the aftermarket world, but also get into some of the fun theoretical stuff on mean effective pressure and volumetric characterizing. Stone's Introduction to Internal Combustion Engines is a nice whole-system look at the engine from an engineers standpoint and will be a bit more general, I haven't been through it in as much detail as the other two but it has a lot more mechanical information on the rotating assembly and the like.

Tip: I have heard unsubstantiated rumors that I can neither confirm nor deny that some or all of these books are available digitally on the seedier side of the web. I would advise keeping your eyes open for cheap paper copies though, as I find they make great reference books and they're more palatable off the screen.

Moving between bodies is a huge task for a spacecraft. As you, or if you delve into spacecraft design you will see that nearly all of them are very specially purpose built for their specific mission.

To figure out what you need you really have to start with a precise list of requirements for your spacecraft and stick with them. If you attempt to design something that is general purpose it will drive you up a wall.

As far as actual technical guidance, I would highly recommend you get and old copy of SMAD (http://www.amazon.com/Spacecraft-Structures-Mechanisms-Concept-Technology/dp/1881883035/ref=pd_sim_b_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=10QSAC9RY0RZBV42N24C)

It should be the starting point for any spacecraft.

As far as I know there are no off the shelf designs for spacecraft components which are open source. This is because designing and validating those designs is a very expensive task, and export restrictions. However, there are a lot of electrical components out there that can be used in spacecraft. Many automotive grade computers will survive earth orbit just fine, once you have replaced the electrolytic capacitors. I'm sure there are many cameras who could also be made 'space ready' pretty easily. The canadian spacecraft MOST is using automotive grade electronics and is doing well.

Also, I know this guy who is making an open source electronics board that he hopes to be space rated at some point in the future. I don't know if he is shipping these things yet. (http://www.solarsystemexpress.com/gdb-e-series.html)

Feel free to post your specifics for what you want to do with this - post your wildest dreams for what you want to do if you want. :)

Get the Books!

The three wisemen as I call it.

In order of usefulness

• The Muir Book
  
• The Bentley Manual
  
• The Haynes Manual
  
  I will argue that the Haynes manual is mostly redundant if you have the other two.
  
  check out ratwell.com and the type2 mailing list.
  as someone else pointed out, the samba is a great resource too.
  
  Also invest in a nice torque wrench.
  
  Replace all the rubber fuel lines in the bus.
  I don't care if the guy you bought it from "just did it", do it anyways.
  convert to electronic ignition. Hotspark is affordable and works well. Others swear by Pertronix. YMMV. Keep the points in the bus with you and a spare set just in case. At less than 10 bucks, its a lot cheaper than a tow.
  Spare coil is also good to have.
  Put it all in a "go box" make sure you have what you need to get going again for most problems.
  
  I have a 75, with a 77 block, and the fi from a 79. These vehicles are almost always frankenstiened together.
  
  Take oil leaks seriously.
  
  Finally, Have fun.
  Owning a bus has been one of the best experiences in my life. Its not all sunshine and rainbows. I have had my fair share of strandings. But now my bus is a champ. I know her inside and out and when I drive her it puts a huge smile on my face.
  
  Welcome to the club!

Shop manuals and databases are good ideas for specific information for specific vehicles.

However, for a good basic to advanced overall learning text, something for someone who might not know the first thing about autos...the Automotive Encyclopedia is a great book. It covers everything in a very broad sense, filled with tons of information and pictures...lots and lots of pictures. I have the 1995 edition...which looks like the same in the link. There may be newer versions but also may be more expensive. There is also a softcover "workbook" to go with the hardcover, it has quizzes and activities and stuff. If the price is too steep, there are some cheaper ones on amazon, also try the local library.

I can't suggest this book enough. And, as you thought, the books on that list are a bit advanced. As for Chilton and Haynes, they're good for specific vehicles and specific procedures...I'm not bashing them in any way, in fact I suggest everyone owns one for their own personal vehicle. But for a good foundation, the Goodheart-Willcox Automotive Encyclopedia is great. In fact this was one of the books I was required to buy when I was taking automotive technology classes at the local community college.

-Nothing beats hands on experience. If you can get a job working for a repair station, DO IT.
-These pdfs are very useful.
-If you can not get a job, go to your local airfield. NOT the airport. They have security. airfields don't, typically. Go around to the local shops in the area and talk to the owners. Tell them you are wanting to get your A&P and are looking for somewhere to help you get your hands on experience besides the school. Maybe an internship or something to 1) get that foot in the door or 2) AT LEAST know what you are getting yourself into.
-If you are already in a school, hear are some things you are going to need to know:

• Keep your eye on the prize and don't get discouraged.
  
• If you understand something, don't hold the knowledge in. You learn 100% more by helping others understand the material that way.
  
• If you don't understand something, ask questions. Bug the **** out of that instructor. They are there to make you understand it and if they aren't explaining it well enough and are being a dick about it, then /r/aviation is a click away. I would and I'm sure others here would be more than happy to help you understand.
  
• Get Prepware for the writtens. It's actually a great study reference guide. If prepware is too expensive, then just the ASA General, Airframe, and Powerplant books are your best bet. They come with some good Oral questions to study and a Practical guide on what to expect. Prepware is just super useful to help you figure out if you are "test" ready yet. Which brings me to another thing.
  
• When you are mock testing yourself over the writtens. You have an hour on the general, but only 60 questions to take, while airframe and powerplant are two hours and 100 questions a piece. Use a scratch pad. Use it to write down the ones you are unsure about and come back to them once you get through all your questions. The worse feeling is being on a timed test and being stuck on question 10 because you can't remember the damned answer.
  -My last piece of advice is read the FARs! You need to know FAR 1, 3, 21, 23, 25, 35, 39, 43 (and appendix A, B, C, and D), 45, 47, 65, 121, 125, 135, 145, 147. I threw in a couple extras just because I thought they were cool to know. But seriously, you want an A&P certification? One of the only mechanical certifications given out by the federal government? Then read the laws they made for us. Super important.

The trickery in those systems is not in their electrical wiring, but in that they're increasingly computerized. ABS and EFI in particular. With increasing model-specific complexity also comes increasing variety, so you're going to need a model-specific service manual.

If you're unfamiliar with 12V electrical systems in general, I'd probably start by reading the generic automotive electrical books. Haynes would probably suffice to get you up to speed, so that terminology used in the service manual makes more sense.

The main differences you'll find will be in charging systems and accessory wiring (both covered in a model-specific service manual), but pretty much everything else follows a similar (+)->Distribution/Fuse->Device->Ground circuit.

Where it gets complex is the ECU. I know a few bikes use a variation of OBD-II (Triumph comes to mind), but the rest are completely proprietary, requiring their own set of scantools and protocols. Pretty much all EFI and ABS diagnostic procedures will be done with one of these scantools (or at least pricey cable and software) if you want live or freeze frame data where supported.

The same trend continues in the automotive world as well. ABS and electronically-controlled transmissions were a big deal when they first hit the market (pre OBD-II), and now they're adding drive-by-wire and hybrid technologies to the mix. The only thing standard between manufacturers and even model years is engine management data (emissions). Airbags, ABS, SRS, and body electrical control data still require dealer scantools to access. They don't make their PIDs public knowledge, so these scantools are often priced out of reach of all but the big shops.

Finally, not that you're gonna botch anything, but electrical is only worth doing if it's done right, so take pride in your work! No half-ass duct tape and twist splice crap. I've had tons of vehicles come to me in sorry shape after being "fixed" with electrical tape and prayers, many of which have required a new harness ($$$, time, patience, sanity). Doing it right takes skill and patience, but it's worth the reward when your car/house/bike doesn't burn down in the course of normal operation :)

Sorry, that was long.

TL;DR: It's not much different from cars; computers are weird

Great advice! In the US it's called a Haynes manual as well. Here's one for an '80 Triumph.

Bonus tips from experience: It's always nice and much faster if you have an extra set of hands. Ask a friend for help.

Invest in a good flashlight.

Get a box of Shop rags. From wiping sweat to oil to cleaning your tools.

Be patient. Check out forums on the web.

Some heavy duty soap for when you're all done.

Check craiglists for parts.

My sister-in-law is an MD. She started out in oncology and switched to palliative care. Her bachelor's degree is in Anthropology. She had to take some extra courses in medical school, but she did just fine.

If you really want hands-on EE stuff, and if you're sure you want to be an MD, then I'd suggest that you research what undergrad-level coursework you need to be accepted into an MD program, and what you need to graduate. Then either get an EE degree with extra chemistry and biology mixed in, or get a BME with extra EE mixed in, and then get your MD.

Alternatively, consider the life story of my friend Chris, who got a BME a good long time ago. He worked at a pacemaker company for a while, got tired of the regulations. From there (because he was an avid drag racer) he went into making high performance ignition systems (pacemaker, electronic ignitions -- same thing, right?). He went from there to consulting, and now he's running a company that makes a high-tech (and, according to the company) absolutely coolest automatic lancing device.

So there are interesting things you can do with a BME degree, particularly if you're planning on using it as a springboard for an MD.

I like this one. I teach auto mechanics at a technical college, and many of my students have used this study guide successfully. Also, I'd recommend taking one test at first (whichever area you feel strongest in), and study like crazy beforehand. Once you have that one under your belt, you'll be better prepared for the next ones. Good luck!

I hear this a lot and find it pretty frustrating, because it's really not true: it assumes you know what "basic maintenance" is, and the right keywords to look for.

A list of truly basic maintenance items that every car owner should be able to do:

1. Oil monitoring and change: monitoring the levels and spotting bad oil (milky, sludgy, etc. vs. smooth maple brown), getting the oil change intervals from the Owner's Manual, using the right oil and filter, applying the right torque to the filter cap.
   
   
2. Air filter change
   
   
3. Fluid monitoring and top-off: how to check levels on coolant, power-steering, brake, automatic transmission fluids (if applicable) -- topping up the levels when they get low, and checking back on the levels periodically to see if there's a leak. Periodic flushing of brake-fluid (every 30k miles?). How to check the other fluids to see if they need to be flushed and replaced. The importance of using the CORRECT FLUID for your car: e.g. DOT3 vs. DOT4 brake fluid.
   
   
4. Tire monitoring and maintenance: knowing the right PSI, effects of weather and cargo load (1-2 psi more pressure needed at cold temperatures), checking tread-depth using a gauge or penny, checking the wear on the tire is even, changing a flat.
   
   
5. Battery principles: effect of cold weather on power, the need to drive long distances to recharge the battery, recharging using jumper-cables or recharging station.
   
   
6. Fuel: use the right minimum octane, keeping the tank full as much as possible (to avoid condensation in the tank).
   
   
7. Washing the car regularly (once a week) -- prevents rust, getting the underbody washed keeps the exhaust and lines clean, etc. Fill in paint chips ASAP using the manufacturer paint.
   
   
8. DOCUMENT all your maintenance in a spreadsheet or notebook: I date everything, noting the odometer (mileage) reading, what parts I needed and where I got them, and how long the job took and any problems I encountered. Good documentation is critical for knowing what was done and when, since many jobs need to be done periodically (e.g. brake fluid flushes, oil changes), and you won't know this unless you keep good records.
   
   DIY is great, but you absolutely need to understand WTF you're doing and not just assume that random videos can substitute for true understanding. If you're serious about mechanical DIY beyond the basics, I suggest reading the following:
   
   

• Auto Fundamentals - Stockel, Stockel and Johanson --this is a good introductory text that gives you some basic grasp of how cars actually work and how complicated even basic parts can be (e.g. BRAKES).
  
  
• Basic Machines and How They Work -- a good complement to the first book; it helps you develop a sort of intuition/common-sense for working with machines.
  
  
• Total Automotive Technology - Schwaller -- more advanced than the first one, and includes useful tips like how to diagnose and troubleshoot problems. I found it too difficult to read at first, but after finishing the first one (which gives you a big picture overview), it was extremely valuable.
  
  Budget $500-1000 for all the tools and parts you'll need: torque wrenches, ratchet and socket sets, breaker bars, etc. If possible, buy a cheap Japanese beater mobile for $500 (Toyota, Honda, etc.) that you can find a service manual for (e.g. Haynes at a minimum, although IMO Bentley is much better). Then do everything you can to get it running right: the advantage of doing this on a beater is that if you fail, you're not carless and you won't lose too much even if you have to write the car off. After a few years, you should know enough about cars to tell good mechanics from crooks, and when it's worth it to pay an expert.

This might sound trivial and silly, but really the best place to start when it comes to familiarizing yourself with all the systems that go into specifically an electric FSAE car is the rule book. Recruit a bunch of students with an EE/Mechatronics/Software/Computer Science background into your team, study the EV section of the rules, and brainstorm. As with the rest of the car, you as a team are completely free to choose how to implement your electronics so long as you are rule compliant. Other than that, this book, this book and/or this book might help (haven't read them myself).

I don't know about the Pontiac, but your Jeep is easy to work on. Longitudinal inline engine and rear wheel drive, plenty of activity on forums, and good used/aftermarket part availability.

Get the Haynes or Chilton manual and join a forum. This text is a good general reference to have: http://www.amazon.com/Automotive-Technology-Approach-Jack-Erjavec/dp/1401848311 .

Do you have a garage you can work in and store tools in?

I don't know of any instruction sets online, but I found this video with a quick search:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ho9uprCZkVM


You're best bet would be to buy the Bentley Manual which has step by step instructions and some pics.

http://www.amazon.com/MINI-Cooper-Service-Manual-Convertible/dp/0837616395/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1394746015&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+cooper+bentley

Pick up a mechanic's textbook. Or something like this: https://www.amazon.ca/Two-Stroke-Engine-Repair-Maintenance-Dempsey/dp/0071625399#customerReviews

And be careful - there are a lot of well intention people out there who pro's classify as 'knows enough to be dangerous'. Take advice / learn from the wrong person and things will go wrong very quickly.

Cheers & gl :)

S

I bought http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1428321012/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1, and the practice tests from ASE. The study guides from ASE are free. http://www.freeasestudyguides.com is good too.

http://www.amazon.com/BMW-E34-Service-Manual-1989-1995/dp/0837603196

I have that bad boy. Pretty useful, especially when combined with some internet research before hand (how hard is it, how long does it take, ect).

First off, buy this book.

Second, join Bimmerfest and read the fuck out of this forum.

Third, buy a decent tool kit (I've had good luck with Craftsman) and get wrenching!

OP, the Popular Mechanics Complete Car Car Manual would be a great place to start.

Oh, that's great! Thanks a lot! I was reading this, but that's just engine.

http://www.amazon.com/Popular-Mechanics-Complete-Care-Manual/dp/158816439X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256761998&sr=8-2 found it in the bargain bin at B&N for $7. Made good bathroom reading for a couple of weeks.

I used to always buy the Bentley manual for my VWs. I have been looking at the Mini manual for a few years and am just now coming up on some repairs that might require some torque specs and other useful info from a manual. Is it worth buying this? The Amazon reviews only give it 4 stars, saying they aren't as good as they used to be. non affiliate link

Apart from hand on experience, I found this book to be very informative.

Book wise, Factory service manuals will be your bet to what you are looking for as far as details. The down side is that it requires you to already understand some basic automotive systems/fundamentals/tests procedures and theory. For some basic automotive knowledge, you can order the A Series Motorage ASE study guides

https://www.passthease.com/about?cid=95900&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvZXc8N204wIVl9dkCh1bVA-8EAAYASACEgLDCvD_BwE

Or the Delmar study guide:

Automotive Technician Certification Test Preparation Manual https://www.amazon.com/dp/1428321012/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_pU0kDb4KB0M73

Here's a good primer.

When you start getting much more complex than that, it starts getting manufacturer specific... So unless you have a specific manufacturer picked out, I'd just learn all you can about electricity in general. You'd be surprised how many problems can be fixed with five minutes and a soldering torch that would take most mechanics a hundred dollars in new parts.

There is a 3500 page repair manual you should look into buying.

http://www.1000repairmanuals.com/expand-Mini-Cooper-2002-2003-2004-2005-service-repair-manual-423.html

http://www.amazon.com/MINI-Cooper-Service-Manual-Convertible/dp/0837616395