Fact: gearheads are different from “regular” people because we approach lots of stuff in every day situations differently. Typically we’re better problem solvers, quicker thinking on our feet, and because we have a skill set that non-gearheads lack. From the truly basic stuff like changing a tire to the wizardry of fusing metal with electricity, this is the stuff that we’re into. On the flip side, the mini-van driving, Prius cruising, latte sucking weiners that seem to be multiplying in population each year have a dim view of the guy next to him in the rumbling muscle car. They lack the appreciation for the work performed to the car, the vision of the guy who did said work, and the commitment of late nights and weekends alone wrenching in the shop to get it done. None of that stuff ever enters into their mind.
I was rolling in Buford with my sons last night and a real Poindexter looking dink was giving me the stink eye as the great white heap rumbled and loped at idle next to him. Catching his smug look, I flattened the pedal at the sign of green and made sure that his air conditioner ducts were filled with the aroma of roiling Mickey Thompson Street Comp tires. He was quick to pass judgement and slow to take into account the blood sweat and tears I have into the car.
So that spawned this question:
BangShift Question Of The Day: What Is The Most Underappreciated Skill That Gearheads Have And “Regular” People Don’t?
Taking care of that inevitable occuring nose-itch when both arms are covered in 30 year old gear-oil, without leaving a mark.
Perfect.
Spatial comprehension. I can’t tell you how I do it, but I can disassemble a complicated assembly I have never seen before in my life, replace the bad parts, and put it all back together correctly. Even scarier, I can reassemble something that someone ELSE has taken apart. It is all about seeing how each part interacts based on how it looks.
This,
Out of desperation I tore down the top end of a 267 Olds when I was 17. No help, No how to books (An old Chiltons to give me the head and intake torque values and sequence) No internet and basic hand tools. When I was done it ran smooth and ran quite well…I have take things apart that were never supposed to be taken apart and fixed them…saving hundreds…Most people look at something and say…Yup, its broke and farm out the repair or buy a replacement…
I can’t count the number of times this has been true for me. Nailed it!
Have I done that before? No? Well then, lets see if I can!
A calvary soldier rides his horse until it collapses, leaves it for dead and walks away
A Native American finds that horse, rides him another 20 miles, then eats him.
Which one is the car junkie?
ummm….. The horse?
doing the final adjustments on a V-8 Detroit Diesel rack by ear
The “skill” is attitude.
A gearhead says “I can do that myself”, and sees that as a good thing.
Regular people say “I want someone else to do that for me”, and see that as a good thing.
If a machine doesn’t work, a normal person walks away or buys a new one. A gearhead troubleshoots.
The ability to drive an unfamiliar car without taking a class on how do it. “I am not used to this car yet”. As if the gas pedal, brake pedal, and steering wheel do something different on this Camry than what it does on youe Civic.
The other one is the sensitivity to when there something not working quite right before the car blows up on the side of the road.
Curiosity. We want to figure out how it works, then how to make it work better.
I’ve noticed we tend to have lots of neat stuff laying around, in our shops, garages, and living rooms and kitchens. Normal people don’t do that.
Critical thinking.
trouble shooting, problem solving, and improvising…. a true car guy can always improvise!!!
Gear heads are the type of people that built this country from the ground up
all the rest are consumers.
the power of observation. like being able to see a flash of chrome through 2 fences and tall weeds from 100 yards away while driving 50mph.
“Regular” people go to a auto parts store asking us gearheads for advice.
“Regular” people need a gearhead to install a battery for them.
“Regular” people don’t have the common sense to carry a basic tool box in their car in case of roadside emergencies.
“Regular” people need AAA, gearheads fix it themselves roadside.
“Gearheads” are the skilled mechanics that work on “regular” peoples cars..
It’s a curse on us gearheads.
Patience.
While I can fix just about anything made my friends think that my being able to tell them what is wrong with their car just by listening to it is the cat’s meow.
It is of course all of the above.
For myself it’s just what my dad told me years ago after I broke the front corner off my SwapMeet Edelbrock Torqer and in my 16yo furry was as mad as I had ever been….
“hold on son,it’s just a machine” those words are the basses for every job I do at work(aircraft Maintenance),brake job,trans overhaul,body work,electrical problem,leaking hose,etc to this day.
Im at the point there are things I dont want to do,but I’ve most likely have done it and don’t want to again,but its not fear.
growin up in a family of gear heads iv picked up on a few of these… my dad has made my bike run 6000 miles on an foil gum wrapper (thank you spearmint by the way lol), so thats the ability to make what you have good enough for what you need. as an autobody mechanic when other people see a rusted out car, i see a gem that i can make my own with customization, they see a hunk of scrapmetal, i see an empty canvas
The ability to repair most anything mechanical .. as well as a few things non – mechanical
The ability and desire to DIY rather than OYW ( open your wallet ) when something new or better is wanted or you simply can’t afford the OTC version
Comprehend the ‘ Scientific Method ‘ and the ability to utilize it
The discernment to make judgement as to when the benefits actually out weigh the negatives when it comes to any given new technology
The wisdom to understand that ; Everything old isn’t good …. but everything new isn’t better either …. judging each on its own merits and applications
The ability to THINK logically when presented with a difficult situation
I’ll never regret growing up in the Central NJ school system I did in the 60’s – 70’s that mandated College bound or not ….. by your Junior year of HS you had to have at least three years of shop of at least two types : be it metal , wood , auto or technical drawing …. starting in the 7th grade .
Damn fine system then …. and sourly needed today
The ability to never be stranded on the side of the road. To always find a way to get to the next service station. AND, if you can’t (Something catastrophic or even worse, computer- controlled), knowing that an endless list of gearhead friends will come bail you out with a single phone call, regardless of the time of day or night, or where you are. Priceless.
not gonna lie the gearhead friends is one thats been missed in all these comments, great point its no fun if your just doing it alone and have no one to enjoy it with
along with all the good stuff as stated above comes the gearhead curse, people who come to you for free car advice or want you to fix their crap for free. at least give me beer n pizza while I work
The ability, with busted knuckles covered in oil n grease , to be able to use every known cuss word and make some up , and still be able to use the wrong hammer to make things fit or work! It may also surprise some that in the above situations , we still regain the ability to be able to round off perfectly good bolt heads!
I was telling my 20ish year old co-workers about swapping engines in my GTO. It had an HEI and would not start, didn’t want to go to parts store for a module so I put the points distributor back in. None of them know what points are?
Help me out here.Pic above shows someone putting in or removing a camshaft.Why is the intake bolted down?What about the lifters?What am I missing?
Mike that is GM’s best idea that Ford didnt steal. The lifters ride in cup like things that will hold the lifters away from the cam after removing the timing chain and rotating the cam 2 times.
See Projct Buffurd T Justice.
Thanks for the reply.I never knew there was such a part! I wonder how long the lifter holder will last after some miles have been put on it?