I am thinking of writing a “How-To” guide on a number of subjects.

I am well aware that I am not as experienced a builder as a LOT of people out there (read IN HERE! ), but I spend quite a bit of time on the forum and I often see questions that have been answered time after time...

I am also aware that there is a Search function, but most of us know that it isn’t the easiest thing to use/negotiate etc. Couple that together with the fact that most of the simple question/simple answer posts that go on the board are often submitted by the newer members of the forum means that they probably have less knowledge and an even more arduous task of fully getting the best out of the Search facility!


So, what I thought was that I would start to write an “Idiots Guide” to several of the FAQ’s that crop up. I would want it to take on a Step-by-Step Guide with Photos etc.
And I really do mean the simple things in Kit building, for example Wheel Arch fitting, Seat fitting etc. Please be aware, that I do not mean that everyone should find it simple (I do not wish to offend anyone’s skill level – I asked a whole heap of daft and stupid Q’s when I first set to this Forum!), what I mean by simple is – Once you’ve done it once, you would find it easier a second time, or probably more appropriately, once you’ve done it, you will wonder what you were worried about!


I don’t intend to write these things overnight, and I don’t intend to do them off the top of my head. I will need help from putting up my own posts about subjects that I am severely lacking in (Bike Carbs on a Zetec!!!), but I intend to try and write them whilst at work (maybe one subject a day or week – nothing too taxing!!!) using the info here and where I can find it.

I do intend them to be more of a “Starting Point” of information rather than pretend they have been written by the Zen Master KitCar Guru etc, so will intentionally write them to become a Base of knowledge (allowing them to be added to by Forum members!) with just a few pointers/shortcuts that will hopefully make sense when “on the job”


So what do people think?
Am I being a pretentious arse, and should mind my own business? Please tell me if I am! I’m always being told I love the sound of my own voice and I call a spade a spade, so I can take it too!


These are the things I was thinking about as a starter, but if it is generally accepted then I would want people to continue to add to this list and I will continue to write them...
• Front Wheelarch Mounting
• Seat Fitting
• Round Tube Marking/Drilling
• A GENERAL KC TIPS SECTION
• A GENERAL KC Wiring section (With assistance – You know who you are – BR, CM etc)
• Using Rivets/Rivnuts etc
• Mounting Rear Arches in Correct Place (for rear wheels)
• NoseCone Fitting
• Scuttle Fitting
• Bonnet Fitting (Bonnet Catches)
• Paddleshift Construction/Mounting/Operation
• Welding (only pointers and only MIG FROM ME! )
• Mold Making
• Fibreglass and Carbon Fibre Parts
• Suspension Settings (General Settings for specific types of Cars)
• Corner Weighting Tips
• Fishmouthing Round Tube ???
• Rosejoints Vs PolyBushes
• Cutting/Finishing of FG/CF/ALI etc
• Bike Carbs onto Zetec etc
• FG Repair/FG Prep/FG Painting etc
• Hand & Machine Polishing
• Basic (Objective!!!) Facts of BEC Vs CEC (or should that be CEC V’s BEC )


Well that’s about it from me for the second.

Please give me honest and forthright opinions on the subject. I am just U2Uing the boss (FoZZie ) to get her opinion and whether these things could be possibly made as Stickies...


Kind Regards,
Steve

(ps – sorry for the dissertation!)


[Edited on 14/5/09 by Steve Hignett]

i woud certainly appreciate it, and would help too.

This would be AMAZING

I seem to have forgotten anything I ever knew so am trying to read up, but the real nuggets of information have become diluted in my opinion so theres a lot of chaff to sort through before I have found the thing I'm looking for.

Then there's the fact many descriptions are written with a high level of assumed knowledge when one of the things that attracted me to a build was the chance to learn along the way. Something like this would help this.

Cheers

Mark

As much as I am an experienced motor mechanic (not just a parts fitter), this sounds like an awesome idea.

I like the idea because I do tend to be pedantic to a fault and would like to know exactly what I need to do before starting a task.

As a newbie to the whole build scene I am finding HUGE gaps in my knowledge base.

That'd be great. do it!

thought about this myself, maybe worth considering a wiki as a good way of presenting to it but with approved authoring only?

1 word.... wiki ...

Chris!!!!

great idea, go for it.



andy

quote:

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Originally posted by viatron
thought about this myself, maybe worth considering a wiki as a good way of presenting to it but with approved authoring only?

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That would be an awsome idea... would be happy to contribute where I can help...

You need to find some way of storing them so they are actually useable...



The only problem with guides for newbies is they never quite fit "their situation" so you will always get repeat questions...

The good thing about this forum is you can more or less get away with asking the same question as someone else without getting flamed..

On some other forums if you dare even think the same thread as someone else you get banished....

You missed one think off the list that I am hopeless at - wiring a car from scratch
I stay away from electrics unless it actually packs in , so a guide to how it works(or dosnt :mad would be very usefull .

[Edited on 14/5/09 by clairetoo]

the only issue i can think of is that everyones car is different to the next, so there would always be new threads with the same questions being asked

dont we have a wiki somewhere floating around??


no knocking the idea its great! but im sure that one was started about 4 years agfo

Good Idea. I thought about this a few weeks ago, but i really dont have the time.
Let us all know what section youre working on, and im sure youll get loads of info and pictures to add.

quote:

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Originally posted by clairetoo
You missed one think off the list that I am hopeless at - wiring a car from scratch
I stay away from electrics unless it actually packs in , so a guide to how it works(or dosnt :mad would be very usefull .

[Edited on 14/5/09 by clairetoo]

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quote:

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Originally posted by MakeEverything
Good Idea. I thought about this a few weeks ago, but i really dont have the time.
Let us all know what section youre working on, and im sure youll get loads of info and pictures to add.

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Sounds like a spot on idea.

I have been trying to do that at work, im photographing every step of every job, complete idiots guide, as a newcomer last year to the business im now in, this would have been amazing for my training, one of the more experienced guys says its a waste of time because its really basic instructions but a new guy started and is using it as a bible ! When he has learned he need not use it anymore or the bits he already knows, he just ignores.

As you say, your not treating anyone like an idiot by doing this, if you know it, then ignore it, but i certainly would appreciate the guidance on a number of topics, i may even be able to input some bits myself once im more experienced in car building

Agree it's a great idea. Also agree a wiki would be the best format for this.

Looking forward to the mould/bodywork making ones!

it's a great idea
go for it.

Sounds good, maybe a separate topic at the top with all the "How-to's" in their own extra sections (mirroring the site, i.e. chassis, running gear etc)

Fantastic idea.
I personally would love to see some how to videos, maybe its just me but things stick in my head more by watching.
Maybe a you tube type group?
Otherwise as this would be obviously painful to do, a write up with pics would help loads.

That will be some project there!

Are you sure you know what you are proposing to do Steve?

I only ask, as I am currently doing a major project...not car related....as in transcribing the hand written War Diaries (WW1) for 1914-19 for the 2nd Border Regiment....to go on a web site and be included in a Wiki.....and it really is very time consuming!

I can see a couple of subjects that, given the many different types of 7 we have, and of course the different applications that we use our cars for, could become a bone of contention......

I have u2u'd you

Now, I must go and talk to the 'Da Boss'...

Fozzie

Sounds like a good plan there mate, but when will you have time to start your own car, let alone be on the end of the phone when mine goes wrong. .
Keep up the good worx.

Joe

It's already been attempted (the wiki) and failed as only I and a small number of other people contributed anything.

DON'T click the link, the wiki may be trying to inject malware - see cd.thomson's post below.

It was here http://www.carbuilders.info/ but was vandalised a lot by spammers.
Now seems to have died a death

[Edited on 15/5/09 by iank]

fantastic idea, it would be really helpful. forgive my ignorance but what is a wiki?

Couldn't you just add a FAQ section in the forum, and have organised posts for each item. With sub forums for sections (including a submissions section). This way you keep the security of the forum we already have.

I have to be honest, guides with photographs would be helpful and while a wiki would allow you to link everything, it would require a lot more setting up.

quote:

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Originally posted by jabbahutt
fantastic idea, it would be really helpful. forgive my ignorance but what is a wiki?

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that is a great idea, i knew i asked a lot of question whilst building one, and the search button did not help at start, but after a while i started knowing what word to search.lol

stuart

Sounds good, but a lot of work! Please include a section on rubber/poly bushes...

Regards
Hugh

quote:

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Originally posted by iank
It's already been attempted (the wiki) and failed as only I and a small number of other people contributed anything.

It was here http://www.carbuilders.info/ but was vandalised a lot by spammers.
Now seems to have died a death

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quote:

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Originally posted by cd.thomson

quote:

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Originally posted by iank
It's already been attempted (the wiki) and failed as only I and a small number of other people contributed anything.

It was here http://www.carbuilders.info/ but was vandalised a lot by spammers.
Now seems to have died a death

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I dont know tons about coding, but doesnt the error message look like someone is trying/tried a buffer overrun exploit to execute some nasty code?

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quote:

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Originally posted by iank

quote:

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Originally posted by cd.thomson

quote:

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Originally posted by iank
It's already been attempted (the wiki) and failed as only I and a small number of other people contributed anything.

It was here http://www.carbuilders.info/ but was vandalised a lot by spammers.
Now seems to have died a death

---

I dont know tons about coding, but doesnt the error message look like someone is trying/tried a buffer overrun exploit to execute some nasty code?

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No idea, I'm running linux, so I doubt I'm affected by such nonsense. I'll add a warning on the original post.

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Well, I talked with 'da Boss-man' aka ChrisW in the wee hours of this morning, and as I thought, the news is good......

His first reaction was that it would be good as a Wiki as well as in the up and coming new site (please don't shout at me......I know he is in the process of a major project in his working life, and it IS being worked on as and when he gets a few precious moments)......

Normal 'stickies' I can do...but as this is going to be a major project, and maybe warrant its own section,it was only fair to run this past 'da boss'.......

So the official news is.....the 'Project' is on.... ....

Fozzie (Admin)

Steve.. you have a u2u....

Sounds like a great idea! im sure a good one for many people to contribute on is mods to fit an engine and get it running be it bec or cec. I now know how to fit an R1 02-03 but when your starting out wiring, dry/baffled sumps, breathing and other mods are daunting tasks.
Cheers
Adam

Brilliant idea. Certainly gets my vote.

Steve, make sure there are no mistakes in the original when you copy and paste

the only trouble with this is i wouldnt have a reason to ask stupid questions

all joking aside its a brilliant idea and im sure some of us who have been on here and already built cars will still need the information and advice to make life that little bit easier!!

also a HUGE thank you to steve for the advice/help over the last few days
i do greatly appreciate it

Oh just one request, if you're doing a troubleshooting section could you put up the silly things (that we really should already know about) at the top of that page? Would save a lot of time checking this and that and replacing bits only to find I had no petrol in or something...

I think this could be really groovy. I'm thinkng that certain things that come up time and again, such as how to fit a zetec, would be particularly welcome, especially if well detailed, including pictures and part numbers. I should imagine that it would also attract more people to the forum.

I'll have to see if I can think of anything I could write, I've got a coule of ideas I'm working on

John

Tell you what it would make a good few addendums for the book, priced at a quid or two each advertised in the back

"Build your own sports car on a budget, with a BMW engine edition"