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Learning Engines

Learning Engines
1

1979bettywhite

Jeeper
Posts
134
Thanks
0
Location
Atlanta, Georgia
Vehicle(s)
1979 CJ-5
258
T150
Model 20
Dana 30
AMC 20
Just thought I would poll everyone to see how you all got your start at learning engines.

At this point in my life I know a little about a decent amount of things engine related. But I would like to learn more, and know how engines work in general, and on top of that, know how my AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l works inside and out.

I would like to be able to diagnose things fairly easily (although I know this will take some experience and time), but would like to know all the inner workings etc. of my engine.

Just wondering how some of you learned. By book, by tinkering, by mentor, by YouTube videos (in the current era)? Which did you feel was most beneficial?

I feel as though I am currently learning by tackling just one issue at a time and learning it. But as you all know, sometimes tackling one issue may not be the issue to tackle first, and may lead to problems elsewhere. So I would like to expand my overall knowledge to help minimize mistakes, and help me continue to work on my own rig effectively!

Looking forward to some good responses!

JD
 
Got into it heavy in high school(late 1960's). We had a auto shop class that set the hook for me.
LG
 
Vo tech, books, friend who is master mechanic and tinkering. Still never enough knowledge
 
Great questions. Like most of the senior jeepers on here I learned from my father that was my mentor.He had a auto repair business and I worked for him from 7th grade thru community college. Now days I would say a comm. college automotive program would be your best bet or find a shop that would let you hang out and sweep floors,offer assistance, etc. and be willing to school you on the finer points of engine work. I have a friend that went to school evenings to learn machinist trade and was a under study at a local engine building shop. So there is a few options for you . I received a associate degree from the community college for machinist trade to augment my mechanical skills and it has served me well. mike
 
Family business.
Auto shop high school.
School of Hard Knocks.
In that order.
 
family, auto magazines, books, internet, tinkering, lots and lots of tinkering
 
Poverty and the need to get my @ss to work. If you can't afford to pay someone to work on them you had damn well learn to do it yourself.
Nowadays lack of funds is not the motivating factor but I made sure my kids got their hands dirty working on their own cars. I think my daughter knows more about cars than her all male friends combined.
 
Thanks for all the good responses so far. I got my hands dirty on a 67 Ford F100 with a 302 that was my first car in high school. Granted I am on the younger side at 35, so that was an old vehicle in my high school days. I learned a little on it, but wish I had spent more time digging in to it. But when you are in high school and just got your licence, all you want to do is drive!

Having fun tinkering on the CJ, but there are certain engine related aspects that I don't really know, nor have the confidence in yet to tackle myself.

I think the AMC 258 i6 / 4.2l is close to a rebuild, but I don't know how close. I know these engines are great and really reliable for a good while, so if I don't need to rebuild it yet, I would like to hold off. My only concern is finding a good mechanic that will feel the same and not just want to rebuild it and collect my $$. JimsCJ5, like you, lack of funds aren't the issue, but I would rather learn and be able to pass on some knowledge down the road.

Guess I just need to get out there and find a decent mechanic that doesn't mind explaining things to me.
 
1979bettywhite said:
Guess I just need to get out there and find a decent mechanic that doesn't mind explaining things to me.
Click to expand...

Do a compression check on it and if it is OK and doesn't burn a lot of oil then drive it. You can borrow a compression gauge at most of the chain auto parts stores.
 
Have done that one already. #2 is my problem child. Over 10% away from the others. And I know that there is some blow by in that one so the rings may be shot. That plug gets fairly well oil covered pretty quick. Here are the numbers when I did the compression check last:

1 - 128
2 - 125
3 - 135
4 - 148
5 - 135
6 - 138

I think #1 was a little higher the 2nd time I ran it. But #2 was unchanged.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
What weight engine oil are you run'n?
When you did the comp test-Did you keep the throttle all the way open for each cyl?
LG
 
Run Rotella 10w-30 down here in Georgia.

Yes, engine warm, throttle all the way open and cranked for at least 3 revolutions. Coil wire removed. Only thing I did not do was remove all spark plugs. Just removed the one on the cylinder I was testing.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Try some 20W-50. All I have ever run in mine since I bought it new in '85.
What's the coldest you see in Winter?
LG
 
Then 20W-50 oil would work very well. I use Castrol.;)
We see low 20s* to 110*+ here.
I also use a can of Restore.:eek: Before the na-sayers chime in, let me say this.:D My Jeep still passes Ca. SMOG tests and I have 120K+ miles on my OEM carb'd engine. Other than to reseal the valve cover. I have never been inside the engine. My hot idle oil pressure is 25psi and just over 57psi on the freeway. These OP readings have also been confirmed with a certified FAA, OP gauge.
:chug:
LG
 
How many miles on the engine since the Restore add?
FWIW: I use the V8 size in my 6cyl.
Lets see what Restore does to reduce plug fouling.
When was the last time you replaced the dizzy cap, rotor and SP wires? What spark plug are you using?
LG
 
Not many. Maybe 100? I used the 6cyl version. I believe most everything is stock but the rotor and wires look newer. Using autolite 965s.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
AL 965 is the wrong plug:eek:
You should be using 985.........;)
965 is a much 'colder' plug........
LG
 
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