Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I heard somewhere that some guys have skills and some have bills. I bought this great looking K5 in November 2010 but know nothing about fixing vehicles. As I saw my truck being towed to the mechanics this morning and know for sure that I am the guy with bills. Slowly but surely i will be learning more. I'm ok with it =) as long as they fix this and I get to drive this sweet K5!!!

Over the past 2 months this newbie here has replaced the radiator, plugs & wires, new battery,and installed the softtopper =)

But I have PAID for the install of the distributor/ignition, horn, speedometer cable, temperature gauge, carb cleaning/adjustments, rear brakes, pcv valve, tuffy console, external regulator for the old alternator, and found out today I will be paying for a new alternator =) What type of guy are you, the one with skills or bills? What do you usually end up paying for?

EDIT::: Over the past couple months this thread is now turning into my build page as well. I am learning a bit more than I thought I would from a couple of friends that are helping me rebuild the engine.

6/6 update: Block is out of the truck and being rebuilt, see the latest replies. My buddy the helping me rebuild the engine and refresh the entire bay. It should be done in the next couple weeks. New aluminum heads, intake manifold, carb, camshaft, litters, bored over block, oil pump, fuel pump, starter, headers, etc.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

not too be a smart a#* but if u dont learn some basic mech skills u are gona have some big a bills !! and by the way thats a nice blaz i like

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I am all over it 67swb, that is one of the reasons I joined the forum!!! I want to learn more about my truck and at least know some basics. My knowledge base is coming along and slowly improving day by day. As for doing the work myself... I'm realizing that sometimes paying someone who knows what their doing will save me some time and headache as well.

Thanks for the comment on the blaze, I freaking love it!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I think I'm kind of a cross. I usually try to do it on my own and I usually have some pretty good luck. Somethimes I get in too deep and take it to a trusted mechanic. I figure even if I try and fail at least I'll learn something along the way. I'd say just keep on trying and realize there may be times when you've got to call in the pros.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Makes sense to me NuBomb, that has been my approach with a couple things so far... and I will surely learn as I go.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I guess I am real lucky, I have always loved to work on stuff, get greasy and nasty ( my ex hated that for some reason?) I just didn't have much experience but was always willing to try. I have a very good friend of mine that IS a mechanic by trade, he owns his own shop and he has helped a lot. I usually trade work with him when I need stuff done and I don't have the time or knowledge. If I have the time, I just call him, offer a free meal or two and we are wrenching shortly after. sometimes it IS who ya know!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Too cheap to pay others to do my work :D So in the end, if I don't know it, I learn it and do it. Jack of all trades for the most part though.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I have found that these trucks are a learn as you go kind of thing. I too am too cheap to pay anyone to do the work, so I do it myself. If I mess something up, I ask questions on here and get the right answers and fix it. Only thing I haven't messed with so far is trying to rebuild transmissions. And not real sure I want to start.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I understand paying a wrench to work on a truck when it is a safety issue,brakes,steering,etc, but for the rest of your list you should go get some tools and use this forum and learn as you go, the knowledge gained will be priceless!!! Bring on da bears

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

i paid for paint and fine sanding and carb rebuild. rough sanding and grinding and mechanical and interior i did. buy a 72 10-30 truck series overhaul manual and a decent set of wrenches and sockets, hand cleaner, paper towels,safety glasses, and dont be afraid of asking alot of questions. this place has the answers. if it jams force it, if it breaks its defective. murphys law old money.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

There was a time when a I had no bills and no cents. Because of my lack of funds, I acquired skills. Later in life I acquired the bills and allowed someone with more skills to work on my trucks. With the current economy, I find it has been a blessing that I have those skills.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

skills baby! I prefer to be in the garage wrenching on my own stuff, that way I know it gets done right...If there is something I am unsure of I pull out the trusty owners manual, look it up online, or come to this fine forum and research the problem. Guess it's mostly from growing up with a dad that was always wrenching too! plus i can afford more parts if i do the labor myself!!! your truck is a beauty and you will learn a lot by justing owning a vehicle you can still work on if you wish!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

You'll def get skills owning one of these. Just remember, if you can take it off, it will go back on. I've got skills btw.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Skills... But still need to learn carbs, transmissions, and paint/body...
And need to learn to weld!
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Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Well I am sure glad I found the forum and will slowly acquire a basic knowledge and more tools owning my new k5...

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

ill buy your hard topper

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I'm somewhere in between too. I try to do what I can on my own but am not super savvy when it comes to the engine/transmission work. Fortunately I know some people that are. I'm taking care of everything myself on this build though (which is why it is going so slow) and learning as I go if I don't have the skills on something. I guess if I had to class myself it would be more of a bills guy but since I'm too poor to pay someone to do it all then if I can tackle it I do.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Sorry yellowdawg but I bought it without the hardtop. I got no top to sell =)

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

wanna buy one from me.. lol..

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

skills! i grew up in a garage with my Dad so i learned a little there, sadly he passed away before we got into the the complicated stuff ie carbs, motor builds, rear ends, trans etc. so i have had to stumble and bumble my way through these old trucks and cars! skills seem to come quickly tho especially when you take things apart all the time an dont remember how they go back together! be prepared for long sleepless nights and searching for thrown wrenches (if you get frusterated like me lol) but its a heck of alot of fun!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I'm an old fart so I do it all, engines, transmission, axles, body work, paint, electrical.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I definatly have the skills, I was an ase certified mechanic for 15 years, I have 40k in tools at home now, but here is the bad part, I am so sick of working on cars for the basic stuff like brakes and suspension that I pay the shop I work at (as a service manager) to do that stuff, Ive spent 6k this year on repair type stuff:crazy:. I think I need to rethink that idea and get back on it myself,

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Just keep at it , with work comes experience, it if werent for this site I would have never been able to rebuild mine. I spent 2 years researching and learned alot of things by trial and error, i have never welded in body panels , never picked up a paint gun ,but I learned . And this site and members helped me prove to all my friends and most importantly MY WIFE, that yes I could build this Blazer , and made a few of them jealous in the process. So spend some time looking around this site , they will answer 99% of your questions. And if you have kids , get them involved , Our hobby is slowing dying , teach what you learn and get the new generation involved . Most of us grew up around hot rods. jacked up trucks .etc. the kids are too involved in video games ,Ipods and the other crap. I built my Blazer for a family project , they love it, We have been to a couple car shows , and when they call our Blazer up for an award, you would think it was christmas. the kids go crazy to know that they were a part of if..... Good Luck

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I've got skills AND bills haha. Blazer parts aren't cheap, even if you got the skills to put 'em in on your own!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I'm always "trying". I can't say I always succeed, but the fun part about this hobby for me is the wrenching. I don't have any trained skills via school or a job, but this forum has given me all the info I could ever need as far as guidance, help and even how-to's.

Skills I still want to have are: Welding, transmission rebuilding and rear end rebuilding.

Skills I think I'll never posses are: body work, sanding and painting.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_s41zmvZTlf8/TT.../sept10067.jpg

Skills...the hard way..doing it wrong..breaking it...doing it right..finding the next weak link....etcc......17yrs later ^^^^^ :metal:

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Burt, give him a shot of the BNB sticker on your bumper!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

HA! Yaa Buddy ! Built Not Bought! Led Zeppelin style font...
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_s41zmvZTlf8/S_...0/DSC01617.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_s41zmvZTlf8/S_...0/DSC01637.JPG
:chevy::chevy::chevy::chevy::chevy::chevy:

It's kinda fadded...old sticker

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Burt... Your truck is bad ass. Do you have any pics of it when you first got it?? It'd be fun to see the progression of it. :metal:

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Thanks it's been fun changing it over the years..
Hollister Hills 2001 on 33" Dunlop MudRovers
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_s41zmvZTlf8/S8...0/P7140008.JPG
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_s41zmvZTlf8/S8...0/P7150028.JPG
I forgot I put the BNB sticker on the windshield back then..
http://lh6.ggpht.com/_s41zmvZTlf8/S8...0/P7140019.JPG
Mine is on the far left and that boy sitting on the cage is my son that now weighs 220lbs :uhmk: time goes by fast...
:uhmk:

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Man, that last pic is awesome!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Use your Blazer as a platform to get those skills.... not to increase your bills! All things mechanical, electrical and hydralic operate on basic FUNDAMENTALS. Once you have a concept of principles and operation you can apply these to maaaaannnyy things throughout your life! Its very satisfying to understand how something works, diagnose your problem and repair it yourself or with a little help. Its ok to ask questions.... thats how you learn. There are many many great sources of info out there and this forum has "the cream of the crop"! If you dont have to rely on your Blazer for dedicated daily driving then use it for an opportunity to learn. Dont worry if it takes you a while to complete repairs. The more you understand the more confident you will be. I am semi-skilled I guess... and too tight to pay anyone to do anything for me. Live,learn and have fun! Keep us posted on your progress... We all love seeing pics!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I am a pretty handy guy and can do most things. I enjoy time in the garage but I also think I am always learning something new. Keep at buy a good manual and you will be fine. Another great things about forums is people are willing to help other members out. If you know you have to do something post up maybe some people close to you are willing to help. Still might cost you a bbq lunch but hey if you can learn some stuff it might be worth it. A lot of community collages have basic auto classes also. Good luck and keep with it.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

The circle of car enthusiasts I typically run in has both types of people. We call them "gear heads" vs "checkbook mechanics".

These old trucks are fundamentally simple, you just have to figure out how to deal with obstacles. My newer cars are much more complicated, and I figured them out fairly easily with the help of online communities like this one.

Bottom line, if you can afford to pay someone to fix stuff that you dont want to fix yourself, then go that route-I will never be a body/paint man. So when the time comes for that, I'll pay someone else to do it. I just have no desire to deal with it on my own. Mechanically I'll deal with all the greasy metalic heavy jobs myself though.

Erik

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Bull72 I love your blazer.
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Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Old Money thanks for the suggestion, I just received my 72 Chevrolet 10-30 Series Truck Service Manual in the main. Very detailed and I'm going through it now.

Thanks 71 Veronica! I'm loving my cruise.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

Just bought a new Edelbrock Performer EPS intake and Carb in endurashine =) I also bought some aluminum heads I have at a buddy's shop. Going to get some new headers in a few weeks and "wake up" the old 350. My buddy is helping me with my Upgrade =) my time to learn... awww yeyah!

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

:bling: :metal:

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

The weather is getting nice 'round these parts. You ready to go for a drive? Let's see how many more folks in S.A. want to go for a cruise.

Re: Some guys have skills and some have bills
 

I have been cruising the past few weeks convertible and it is really perfect weather lately. Unfortunately my rear diff just decided to break down on me yesterday. Took it to auto shop to get a diagnosis and they told me 3 U joints were barely hanging on as well as my rear diff is taking a dive. After next week or so I should be ready to go. So after my buddy takes a closer look I will be ordering the master install kit, ring and pinion, bearings, whatever else I need to. He is going to help me next weekend.