Originally posted by Timastyle
Not offended at all and I didn't mean to seem as though I was rude. I am looking into going to my local JC for courses. I am going to take auto fundamentals and I want to take a welding course as well. The cost is $26/unit. The 2 classes will be 8 units, so if you do the math, I think its well work it. $208 for 2 very helpful courses, that is if the teachers know what they are talking about. I think it's too late to start in the Fall semester, but I am definately going to go for the Winter Semester. In the mean time, I want to learn as much as I can on my own. I think once I get the car I want to work on, I can then progress in my knowledge. I'll then have something to work on and learn. One of my coworkers, he's 59, knows about engines and such, but he doesn't have the time to teach me really. I am trying to get on his case to help me out. Maybe I might be able to get him to come around.

Here's some other info about me...

Because of my fast driving, my license is suspended for a year and a half, and I want to take that time in building a hot rod. Do you guys think its possible to make a project car come to life in that period of time? If not complete, I want it to be driveable so that I may use it as a mode of transportation. What do you think?
Getting your own project is a great though sometimes intimidating way to learn. I highly reccomend that.

As far as your coworker. Why not drop a well timed hint that if he works on his that you would be more than happy to lend some assistance.

He probably knows quite a bit but sometimes having another pair of hands to help is nice.

Especially if you sport the beer

To answer your second question...

Sorry to hear about your liscence. Are you sure you want a hotrod?

Just kidding.

Nothing wrong with driveable. I suggest that you work on the mechanicals before jumping in feet first to appearance.

Some people hate what are considered "Rat Rides" but if you look under the hood those guys usually have a mechanically sound motor, strong tranny/rear differential, and decent brakes and tires under the fenders.

I recently got a '54 Savoy that I'm gonna have bathed inspected and primed. While the body and chasis is being dealt with I'm gonna be working on the mechanicals.

It has a stock flat 6 and 3 on the tree(MT) but I'm gonna replace it with a 318/727 Torqueflite combo.

I've also seen some damned good lookin metal that couldn't get out of their own way if you strapped a rocket to their @$$ and gave them a 10 mile headstart.

Glad to hear about the shop course. You should get ahold of their syllabus early so that you can start picking up the items they require also.