Hands-On Experience Overview
My hands-on experience started at a very young age--approximately 6 years old. At first, this was partly due to necessity (e.g. if my bicycle or dirtbike broke there was clearly an incentive to repair it so I could use it again), but mainly because figuring out how things work has always been of great interest to me.
It wasn't long before my brother and I realized the skillset we had developed from working on our own projects was transferrable to repairing other's broken items for a small profit. What started with a bicycle repair sign in the front yard while still in elementary school quickly transformed into a small engine repair shop by middle school. We quickly found it to be much more profitable to purchase items in need of repair, repair them, and then resell them. At first, this mostly consisted of lawn mowers, weed-wackers , chain saws, and most anything we could afford with enough money left over to repair them. This also proved to be a great avenue to attempt complex repairs we deemed as being too risky to attempt on a customer's item, but really wanted to do. By the end of middle school, we had already performed complete top end rebuilds on our dirtbikes, jetting changes, and much more.
Fast forward to high school and we had started a LLC for automotive repair and performance. From simple brake work to top end rebuilds and engine swaps, there was almost nothing we were afraid to attempt. One of our first experiences with diesel vehicles came in the form of a Volkswagen Jetta TDI--with the entire top end haphazardly in plastic totes after the owner decided he was in over his head. This proved to be one of the most difficult, yet exciting puzzles two aspiring engineers could dream of.
Throughout the remainder of my high school years, I typically had 1-2 WIP's with ~2 more project vehicles on deck. I learned a great deal from all my hands-on experience and developed a very valuable skillset. This experience has also proved to be incredibly beneficial as I progress through my engineering major, as many of the systems contained in automobiles are studied throughout the curriculum.
It wasn't long before my brother and I realized the skillset we had developed from working on our own projects was transferrable to repairing other's broken items for a small profit. What started with a bicycle repair sign in the front yard while still in elementary school quickly transformed into a small engine repair shop by middle school. We quickly found it to be much more profitable to purchase items in need of repair, repair them, and then resell them. At first, this mostly consisted of lawn mowers, weed-wackers , chain saws, and most anything we could afford with enough money left over to repair them. This also proved to be a great avenue to attempt complex repairs we deemed as being too risky to attempt on a customer's item, but really wanted to do. By the end of middle school, we had already performed complete top end rebuilds on our dirtbikes, jetting changes, and much more.
Fast forward to high school and we had started a LLC for automotive repair and performance. From simple brake work to top end rebuilds and engine swaps, there was almost nothing we were afraid to attempt. One of our first experiences with diesel vehicles came in the form of a Volkswagen Jetta TDI--with the entire top end haphazardly in plastic totes after the owner decided he was in over his head. This proved to be one of the most difficult, yet exciting puzzles two aspiring engineers could dream of.
Throughout the remainder of my high school years, I typically had 1-2 WIP's with ~2 more project vehicles on deck. I learned a great deal from all my hands-on experience and developed a very valuable skillset. This experience has also proved to be incredibly beneficial as I progress through my engineering major, as many of the systems contained in automobiles are studied throughout the curriculum.
Example Projects/Rebuilds
For brevity, this is only a very small subset of all the projects I have done.
2003 Honda Civic Rebuild
Complete top end rebuild: head gasket, head bolts, machine shop work on head, timing belt, water pump, tensioner, new gaskets on all mating surfaces, and much more. This civic also ended up needing an extensive amount of brake work: all new lines, rotors, pads, and drums.
2000 Jeep Cherokee Rebuild
Complete top and bottom end rebuild: pistons, rings, connecting rods, main bearings, timing chain, machine shop work on head, new gaskets on all mating surfaces, and much more.
1999 Jeep Cherokee Rebuild
I bought this Jeep as a surprise for my girlfriend in need of a head gasket. Complete top end rebuild: head gasket, machine shop work on head, new gaskets on all mating surfaces, water pump, alternator, ac compressor, and much more. Since this was going to be her daily driver, all other nuances were also repaired: new brakes (pads and rotors/drums) and shocks at all 4 corners, upholstery work on headliner, new radio, power window motors on a couple doors, and more.
Pontiac Grand Am/Grand Prix Rebuilds
I have done well over 15 head gasket repairs on these vehicles alone. The 3.1, 3.4, and 3.8's are notorious for blowing them and made for great flip cars.
Example Case 1
Example Case 2
Example Case 3
Teardown began at 12:51
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2.5 hours later and the teardown was complete
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Finished rebuild
1996 BMW 328is Rebuild
This was my first daily driver and first big rebuild. I purchased it in need of a head gasket while I still had my learner's permit. Looking back now, this was not an easy first major project. DOHC with double VANOS (variable valve timing), all kinds of rigged custom-made 'specialty tools' required, and an exhaust manifold that really didn't want to part ways with the head. Also did some exhaust work, swapped out the rear differential for one out of an M3 (limited slip instead of open), brakes at all 4 corners, and a new radio.
I eventually traded this for an RV, which I then liquidated in order to purchase more flip vehicles after doing some general maintenance/repair on the powertrain, generator set, and furnace. RV ownership at 16 was pretty.. unique.
I eventually traded this for an RV, which I then liquidated in order to purchase more flip vehicles after doing some general maintenance/repair on the powertrain, generator set, and furnace. RV ownership at 16 was pretty.. unique.
2007 CRF 250r Top End Rebuild
One of numerous top end rebuilds on a dirtbike. After far too many cramped engine bay hours on cars/trucks, this is a nice treat.
Top end removed
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Finished rebuild
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