Rate your profiency in conversion skills

I thought it might help if each of us rated our skills in conversions so more info could be added to the forum to help those who might want to learn more. After a bit of input maybe we can post more in the Conversion FAQ's. I've listed a few ordinary things that would be required from the least to the most difficult. You may add more if you think it would be a topic. It would be great if we could get a big interest in this and then we could post things that a novice or higher skilled person could refer to. Go by number if you wish or add a comment after your number selection. The number one for instance would be the easiest for me and 6 the hardest. For example, my numbers would be:

1-2-11-9-12-5-3-14-7-8-13-10-4-6

I found I had to do some soul searching to admit my weaknesses.8-) Don't be shy or let your ego whip you, step up and be counted.

1. Electrical/electronics/wiring
2. Mechanical
3. Plumbing
4. Suspension/traction
5. Body work/painting
6. Interior/upholstery
7. Cooling
8. Heating
9. Performance/tuning
10. Gearing/ratios
11. Induction/fuel injection
12. Power
13. Exhaust
14. Welding

1. Welding
2. Mechanical
3. Electrical/electronics/wiring
4. Plumbing
6. Suspension/traction
7. Cooling
8. Heating
10. Gearing/ratios
11. Induction/fuel injection
9. Performance/tuning
12. Power
13. Exhaust
5. Body work/painting
14Interior/upholstery

I think it is safe to say I have touched on all these subjects over the years. My list is maybe more in order of ascending PITA factor as far as what I enjoy doing.

Dan, using your Numbers & Categories,

2,1,3,7,13,5,9,10,6,11,4,12,13

"You don't need to know everything, just know those who know what you seek";)

Mine (on a note, I did this relating to all knowledge, as my MG knowledge would be last on most all of these categories):

1. Electrical/electronics/wiring (This is my career, electronics)
2. Mechanical
13. Exhaust
9. Performance/tuning
14. Welding
5. Body work/painting
12. Power
3. Plumbing
4. Suspension/traction
10. Gearing/ratios
11. Induction/fuel injection
7. Cooling
8. Heating
6. Interior/upholstery

I think that is about as correct as possible.

Very good guys. I didn't think about welding. I'll redo mine.

I wonder if you could put this in the form of a survey somehow? Maybe rate your skills from 1 to 5 or something (1 to 10?) I can't remember all the categories. but I'll try to give this a shot. My categories may be a little different though.

1) Design work that synergistically invokes elements of artistry
2) Custom fabrication via machining, welding and if need be, more esoteric processes
3) I'm drawing a blank here, everything else supports #1 and #2. For the stuff that's in the middle it's all pretty much the same. I'm competent at it, capable of being excellent if needed, and have no particular preference.
4) then you get to the stuff I can do but either have to struggle, haven't developed particularly excellent skills, or just plain don't like. Stuff I'll do if I have to but would rather not, like:
5) body work
6) exhaust
7) axle gears
8) brakes
9) wiring
10) electronics
11) upholstery
12) interior
I'm not saying I'm bad at this stuff, just not as good as I am at the stuff in the middle. For example, I was an avionics tech in the USAF and a darned good one so the electronics is something I can handle if I spend enough time studying it. Most of the rest is sort of like this. The difference is that I'm not so motivated to put in the time.

Jim

Wait, how do I post negative numbers?

I think I am with Rob on this one.

Brad

My greatest conversion skill is the ability to covertly acquire funding. $$$$$$$$$$$$$

Well, I see the thread has gone to heck but it's very humorous.

Would like to add the following:
Trouble shooting:
Suspension, engine, trans, differential,brakes

Brakes theory, need to know how they work

Creativity (needed)for any type of modifications.

AC, installation and trouble shooting.

There a few more, but for now this is a good start.

Power ?? #12

1. Welding
2. Mechanical
3. Electrical/electronics/wiring
4. Plumbing
6. Suspension/traction. Big subject.
7. Cooling
8. Heating
10. Gearing/ratios
11. Induction/fuel injection and Carb.
9. Performance/tuning Fuel systems, Ignitions and internal engine components.
12. Power ???
13. Exhaust
5. Body work/painting
14Interior/upholstery

Dann, I'm not sure how to rate myself. I'm reasonably proficient at most of the items on your list, but not an expert in any. Comes from meny years of wanting to do it all myself either just for the fun of it or because it's generally cheaper that way. Most of us here already have cars we've converted and those generally speak for our abilities. (Rob is very shy about his abilities based on his car) Perhaps you should include another area in your list as well, fabrication. That's really where the great builders shine, being able to fabricate the parts necessary when there's nothing available that fits. Peter, Jim Blackwood, and Rob definitely rate highly in that catagory. I know that your products reflect your ability in that area as well. As you know often the ability to create a bracket for an alternator or such is the difference between a conversion working and not, or creating a sheet metal part that is not available from raw stock can save an otherwise unusable body as Peter has done. It's all down to problem solving as I see it, those that excel at problem solving and have the talents to do the work are usually the most successful conversion people.

:)-DJim, your eloquence in descriptive writing surpasses your demeanor and personality. I got a kick out of it.

Well Bill, I believe you are being too modest. I have read many of your threads through the years and I believe I have as much respect for your efforts as anyone. This thread needs individuals such as you to keep the imagination and inspiration going.
Dann

Brian, am I to interpret that you need to con the wife out of fun funds?(har har)::o

Thank you Dan. I am a student still learning, it will stop learning when I decide to go to car heaven.

There are many in this forum and you are one Dan with knowledge to help others.

Brian has two sets of books one the actual and the other is also the actual that his wife sees. LOL:)-D

Gentlemen, if you noticed I used the word "covertly". My wife has never seen the books. Hell, I never looked myself!!!

Bryan, where in SW Ohio are you? Seems to me we are neighbors.

Jim

Jim, I'm in between cincy and dayton, in a town considered a perfect example of the rustbelt.

Dann,

You need a "Swiss Army Knife" category. Like a Swiss Army Knife, I can do a lot of things, but none of them well. I'd only be of value in an pinch when the only other option was a butter knife and a bobby pin.

1 to 14 with the exception of fuel injection as I was never forced to install one on the V8, when I built the car in the early 1980's.
There was nothing really complicated. As a HAM operator, electrics were not a problem for me as was plumbing or welding. I simply had some experience in this things as a ship building engineer.
The most difficult challenges of the GTV8 project were designing the engine mounts, finding ways to minimize the mods on the fire wall and doing a good paint job in a narrow garage.

Ralph

Jim, its not totally defunct-yet, but it sure ain't 1975 around here either. but you guessed the place. We made the Forbes list awhile back for one of america's fastest dying cities. What an honor.

So what are you doing on the 25th?

Jim

So....Jim getting back to the main subject.

Which was?

Mnnnnn have to think Jim...... Oh yes......How do you rate yourself. Read the heading of the post.

"Rate your profiency in conversion skills" Lets see you converted the body, engine etc....>:D<

I think electrics and electronics should be different categories.

1a: Electrics: I specialized in British and Italian cars years ago when I lived in Canada so I am still quite proficient (although the years and a head injury robbed me of some) I'd say still 9/10

1b: Electronics I have a functioning knowledge of and frequently find problems by using common electrical troubleshooting rather than direct knowledge. I'd say 6/10

2: Easily 9 of 10 but the physical jobs are getting away from me these days.

3: Again, 9/10

4: 8/10

5: 3/10. I can mount body parts and make them fit, but bondo and I don't get along.

6: 3/10. I can install, but not manufacture.

7: 8/10. Good working knowledge and know what's needed to be ordered to do most jobs. AC is a different story. I recently thrilled myself by topping off the R134a in my Ford so I was cooled off last summer.

8: 8/10. I can make systems work better than stock and I've made several new boxes for off highway custom rigs.

9: 8/10. I understand cam timing, carburetion and a bit of efi tweaking.

10: 9/10 Definitely have a handle on it but hate the smell of gear lube. I can whip up allowances for change of tire size, differing ratios, etc.

11: 7/10 Bit of a neophyte

12: 8/10 Tim the tool man would be proud.

13: 9/10 I've built systems from scratch. They just haven't all looked so pretty.

14: 7/10 Good at welding but I don't like the associated migraine headaches I get from the light. I used to shorten/lengthen driveshafts with a pipe lathe, measuring tape and buzz box. 80% needed no balancing.

I've done a number of inter swaps of motors and drive trains as well as bodies on different frames (I grew up on a farm and built several "tractors" from other equipment and cars)





Copy below.

I thought it might help if each of us rated our skills in conversions so more info could be added to the forum to help those who might want to learn more. After a bit of input maybe we can post more in the Conversion FAQ's. I've listed a few ordinary things that would be required from the least to the most difficult. You may add more if you think it would be a topic. It would be great if we could get a big interest in this and then we could post things that a novice or higher skilled person could refer to. Go by number if you wish or add a comment after your number selection. The number one for instance would be the easiest for me and 6 the hardest. For example, my numbers would be:

1-2-11-9-12-5-3-14-7-8-13-10-4-6

I found I had to do some soul searching to admit my weaknesses. Don't be shy or let your ego whip you, step up and be counted.

1. Electrical/electronics/wiring
2. Mechanical
3. Plumbing
4. Suspension/traction
5. Body work/painting
6. Interior/upholstery
7. Cooling
8. Heating
9. Performance/tuning
10. Gearing/ratios
11. Induction/fuel injection
12. Power
13. Exhaust
14. Welding



Edited 3 time(s). Last edit at 02/06/2012 05:18PM by Kill R B.

Ok I'll have a go at this. From 1-10. 10 is always the best.

9...1. Electrical/electronics/wiring
8...2. Mechanical
9...3. Plumbing
5...4. Suspension/traction
2...5. Body work/painting
2...6. Interior/upholstery
7...7. Cooling
1...8. Heating
10..9. Performance/tuning
8...10. Gearing/ratios
10..11. Induction/fuel injection
9...12. Power
8...13. Exhaust
9...14. Welding

Looking at these categories, I'm amazed I have a completed conversion at all. I'm able to do the gross motor skills type stuff, pulling and installing motors, trannys, basic bodywork, etc. I have a lot of basic mechanical skills, but my best skills are probably researching what has been done before and worked and knowing the limits of my abilities. My point is you don't have to be an expert at everything in order to do a swap (although it makes it a lot easier). I've farmed out what I can't do myself like engine assembly, final paint and welding and still managed to have a great deal of fun and satisfaction in the conversion. Just trying to make sure that anyone who really has a strong enough desire to do this doesn't have to be put off if they aren't the best at everything.