Funny stuff. He probably could have gone with the higher compression pistons, IF he knew the gaskets were going to be too thick. As is, with the lower compression he will just lose a bit of power, and give the engine a longer running life since it will run cooler. A legendary mechanic, but only in his own mind.
Mechanical ability - aquired skill?
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I have to constantly harp on my help for this... they seem to think a 1/2" grade 2 bolt needs 500 ft-lbs of torque on it...
The first time they ever do any plumbing with compression fittings, they'll quickly break themselves of that habit.
The range of skill, as in every profession, is vast. When he 'talked about working on his older trucks' he may have been exaggerating his abilities so you wouldn't think he's a dummy.
Too bad this didn't work out. It sounds like an early mechanical learning experience for your friend.
As a one who has been called a mechanical engineer, maunfacturing engineer and worse...it is my experience that mechanical aptitude is genetic to a large degree and some just won't ever get it. We ain't all born equal, people....
However, to a small degree it can be learned sufficiently to do most tasks and stay out of trouble. And trust me, a degree in ME does not impart any APTITUDE in the least. We all know the story of the Mechanical Engineer who designed wonderful bridges and airplanes and such but didn't know which end of the screwdriver to hold.
A former boss (ME) always gave interviewees a simple test: given a sheet of paper with a top, right and front view of a moderately complex block shape, draw a reasonable isometric of it. More than a few degreed MEs simply couldn't do it.
But if a genetically-inclined mechanical genius isn't exposed, trained and given a chance, he/she won't stand a snowball's chance of being good at it.
Conversely, all the fancy tools, books and schooling in the world won't make a mechanical genius out of someone who just doesn't have the genes. And that's ok, we need accountants, too.
However, to a small degree it can be learned sufficiently to do most tasks and stay out of trouble. And trust me, a degree in ME does not impart any APTITUDE in the least. We all know the story of the Mechanical Engineer who designed wonderful bridges and airplanes and such but didn't know which end of the screwdriver to hold.
A former boss (ME) always gave interviewees a simple test: given a sheet of paper with a top, right and front view of a moderately complex block shape, draw a reasonable isometric of it. More than a few degreed MEs simply couldn't do it.
But if a genetically-inclined mechanical genius isn't exposed, trained and given a chance, he/she won't stand a snowball's chance of being good at it.
Conversely, all the fancy tools, books and schooling in the world won't make a mechanical genius out of someone who just doesn't have the genes. And that's ok, we need accountants, too.
Mechanical aptitude can be considered part learned and part innate, as it seems to depend somewhat on spatial perception; if you can visualize what it is you're working on in 3D it's easier to deal with. The experience helps in figuring out how it works once you can visualize it, and education helps too. Good mechanics stand a higher pile of broken parts than others :^)
Im a mechanic (automotive repair tech. bla bla bla) and my friends always used to ask other people or other shops to diagnose problems for them. Then since they are cheap ask my to "help"
them do the repair. And everytime the repair didnt fix the problem it was my fault, not the guy with the incorrect diagnosis of the problem.
So I started to charge them and no I have a lot more free time
them do the repair. And everytime the repair didnt fix the problem it was my fault, not the guy with the incorrect diagnosis of the problem.
So I started to charge them and no I have a lot more free time
I don't believe the person's problem has to do with mechanical aptitude per se. There were a whole lot of hints in the original post about personality or medical issues,
possibly adult hyperactivity/attention deficit disorder. I sure that if non-mechanical aspects of the person's life were examined they would show the same behaviors.
Medic,
You're a saint for even thinking of helping this clown again, with the cut finger, no manual, and everything. Would have been worse if he had brought it over and honked down on YOUR tools. You can now add this to your own mechanical experience. Is he at least a good drinking partner?
You're a saint for even thinking of helping this clown again, with the cut finger, no manual, and everything. Would have been worse if he had brought it over and honked down on YOUR tools. You can now add this to your own mechanical experience. Is he at least a good drinking partner?
I have more to add to this story. I have found out that this isn't the first time this type of incident has happened with this guy. He has managed to get other people to "help" him in the past with house work. One guy helped him build a deck. Another helped him fix the foundation on his house and another helped him remodel his kitchen. I guess all of these guys have had similar experiences with him and also said "never again".
I'll bet he brags: "I did it myself"
until it wears out/breaks (due to lack of maintenance) -then he blames the "helper"....
I know the type.
I know the type.
Some people must be missing the aptitude gene.
A friend in college had a Mini. He fitted wider tires - but only on the rear (it's a front drive car). He got that figured out and put the wider tires on the front. Then he wondered why the car was making a rubbing noise from the front when he turned on full lock.
He replaced the brake lines but didn't get the right ones. He must have got Jaguar lines because they were many feet too long. No matter, a few loops around the subframe and all the slack is gone!
Then there was the worn out door hinge. It took him all day to replace the top hinge. Nice work, but it was the bottom hinge that was worn.
He built an intermittent buzzer to remember when the turn indicators are on. It almost worked - buzzed when the indicators were not used, and then intermittent buzz when indicating.
Every sucker gadget for improving mpg was given a chance. We joked that pretty soon the car would be generating fuel.
He fitted a burglar alarm. The car was never stolen, but maybe the random alarms were scaring people away.
I know there were more car follies, but it's been a long time and I forgot many. This is one guy that needed help but didn't ask for any. At least your guy knows to ask, even if he is too proud to take the advice.
A friend in college had a Mini. He fitted wider tires - but only on the rear (it's a front drive car). He got that figured out and put the wider tires on the front. Then he wondered why the car was making a rubbing noise from the front when he turned on full lock.
He replaced the brake lines but didn't get the right ones. He must have got Jaguar lines because they were many feet too long. No matter, a few loops around the subframe and all the slack is gone!
Then there was the worn out door hinge. It took him all day to replace the top hinge. Nice work, but it was the bottom hinge that was worn.
He built an intermittent buzzer to remember when the turn indicators are on. It almost worked - buzzed when the indicators were not used, and then intermittent buzz when indicating.
Every sucker gadget for improving mpg was given a chance. We joked that pretty soon the car would be generating fuel.
He fitted a burglar alarm. The car was never stolen, but maybe the random alarms were scaring people away.
I know there were more car follies, but it's been a long time and I forgot many. This is one guy that needed help but didn't ask for any. At least your guy knows to ask, even if he is too proud to take the advice.
I think many things can be learned but that does not mean that the person actually has a true understanding of the subject.
Yu can teach almost anyone to do almost anything.The difference is,does the person really comprehend what they are doing?
This can make a huge difference.
I think that many people are born with a certain amount of mechanical ability and have a real idea and understanding of what they are doing.
Yu can teach almost anyone to do almost anything.The difference is,does the person really comprehend what they are doing?
This can make a huge difference.
I think that many people are born with a certain amount of mechanical ability and have a real idea and understanding of what they are doing.
Changed the clutch in a 78 Toyota pick-up.
Only took 3 days laying on the gravel driveway.
Learned that one's chest and bulbous belly combined with an arched back can be used as an impromptu transmission jack but does take some of the fun outta' the procedure.
Only took 3 days laying on the gravel driveway.
Learned that one's chest and bulbous belly combined with an arched back can be used as an impromptu transmission jack but does take some of the fun outta' the procedure.
I second that, obbop! Three days on my back under a '90 Miata. Everything very well engineered, but tight, with little room for the tools. I especially liked the stress beam linking the transmission with the diferential, very solid, but a pain to remove. Got all done and examined the old parts. The only thing that was actually worn out (and making all the noise) was a $10 pilot bearing
After years in the Engineering and Mechanical fields, I truly believe that mechanical aptitude is a trait you are born with. I have tried really hard to teach it to various friends/relatives, of both sexes, with abysmal results
Maybe I'm not a good instructor
SNIP:
I tend to agree.
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