EXCELLENT CAR BOOKS plz :P. I want to learn learn learn!

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

It would be great if it has good pictures and has an author with a sense of humor. I need the pictures because I won't be able to have much/any hands on experience other than with my car... which I don't want to mess up, and I just like authors with a sense of humor [img]tongue.gif[/img] . Basically if it's well written and very informative about engines and cars in general and pitfalls about what not to do, and little tips and tricks... let me know.

Thanks!

[ReodDai]

ahhhhh I can't take it anymore!!!! Stop reading books.. they are worthless. You want to learn something? Go try to do something, break it, learn from the experience and fix it. Not read some idiots point of view. REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE IS YOUR FRIEND. [img]graemlins/rant.gif[/img]

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

While I'd like hands on experience, I just don't have the time, resources, or money now, and what you said is far from true. Head knowledge is just as important if not more important than hands-on. I can mess around with engines all day long... but that won't get me the experience of veteran engine-builders that know tips and tricks that it would take me years to find out.

[img]tongue.gif[/img] You're a meany but I gotta love some of the stuff you say lol.

[mjparme]

Hands on experience combined with reading books is probably the best combination to learn more about automotive technology.

"Stop reading books" is probably some of the most absurd advice I have seen given here.

I don't know of any books off the top of my head I could recommend but try going to the bookstore or the library and hit the automotive section.

[4thgenowner]

CAMARO by Anthony Young. Good history on the Camaro, it has some technical stuff but not much.

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

Thanks but I'm really more interested in learning about the technical stuff rather than the history of cars [img]tongue.gif[/img] . For example, I'd like to know how I'd go about building an engine from scratch (well you know... from parts), and the engine is composed of... How a car runs from start to finish... other parts... Basically just from reading on here I've learned tons. You ask me what headers are a few weeks ago and you'd have gotten a blank stare. Now I know a bit more about intake, and exhaust. I know I probably won't learn all the uber technical stuff I want to learn on here so I want a book.

[ellik]

why not just pick up a Haynes or Chiltons manual for your car. Any Advance or AutoZone should have them. Depending on what you know, read it cover to cover will give you a fairly good idea of all the systems of your car, if not technical in-depth info.

I got interested in building a solid LT1 engine as a hobby sort of thing as I got the cash and picked up a copy of 'Rebuilding your Lt1/Lt4' cant remember the authors name, but should find it if you type the keywords in on Ebay. That had quite a bit of info on that particualat engine, though its no quite what your looking for, Im sure.

[ABH]

You could also get the service manual from the manufacturer.

[ReodDai]

Rather have a hands on mechanic telling me how to fix my car then a theoretical one telling me how to fix my car.

[Deoxyribonucleicvitriol]

I don't doubt the person writing the book will have extensive hands on knowledge.

[RallyRed 98]

i started by taking apart these crapped out lawn mowers that my neighbor had... he used to give them to me and if i could get them running again he would give me $10 plus whatever the parts cost.

$10 is hardly worth sniffing at how but when i was 11-12 years old, it was a big deal.

mechanical stuff works pretty much the same, no matter what the size. obviously i am not going to be able to work on a mercedes with my lawnmower knowledge, but it gave me a start.

the haynes/chiltons/shop manuals are good, but not as good as actually doing the work yourself. and if you can't get your hands dirty, you can at least read and apply it later, like you said. ellik's suggestion about buying rebuild books for particular motors is a good idea; though not universal, it will help you get to know motors a lot better.