Anyone ever use a car project planning book? (Page 1/1)
82-T/A [At Work] AUG 06, 01:14 PM
As part of my daughter's restoration goals, she's been keeping a spreadsheet of the work she's done, and has a large folder of receipts. I'm paying for everything, but she's doing all the work and learning the cost associated with all of this. She has been meaning to put all of this into a project planning book... so again, willing to pay for all the stuff, I bought her about 15 vehicle project planning books (they were all cheap, like $8 bucks on Amazon) which she wants to do a video on.

They arrived this weekend, and they discovered that almost all of them are basically the exact same book, with different covers. Most of them are basically useless, but a couple of them were pretty decent, and she's going to focus on those so if people see her video, they focus on the right ones to buy, and not the stupid ones.

Most of them appear as if they were written by someone who's never restored a car. For example... they list key components of the car... engine, transmission, etc... and then list "Master Cyl" up there with large important components. Like... how is Master Cyl worthy of being in the list of 5 core vehicle components... differential, transmission, engine, etc?


I'm thinking the best possible solution would be to either put your own together (which she's more or less doing), and use a vehicle maintenance log.


Just curious if any of you guys have ever used one of these project planning books and found them useful? I've personally never used one before, but my daughter is much more organized than I am... so I was like, ok... we'll do this. I seem to recall Stacey David used to sell one, which had legitimate stuff in it... anyone ever used one of these? Curious about your thoughts... would like to include some of the answers in her video when she makes it... if you guys don't mind.
hyperv6 AUG 06, 05:08 PM
Depends.

If you get generic books they can be pretty basic and often little help.

I have some Corvette books and most are pretty specific and not too bad.

Since the Fiero has little specific for them there is little good info books out there for them. That is why 5he web has been so important to the Fiero.

Camaro, Corvettes, Mustangs etc truck you can do fine but the Fiero little to nothing other than generic books apply and not much of great help.

I just bought a Corvette and it is a different world. Specific books, enough new parts to fix or restore anything it is like heaven compared to trying to find parts for the Fiero or info.
82-T/A [At Work] AUG 06, 07:12 PM

quote
Originally posted by hyperv6:

Depends.

If you get generic books they can be pretty basic and often little help.

I have some Corvette books and most are pretty specific and not too bad.

Since the Fiero has little specific for them there is little good info books out there for them. That is why 5he web has been so important to the Fiero.

Camaro, Corvettes, Mustangs etc truck you can do fine but the Fiero little to nothing other than generic books apply and not much of great help.

I just bought a Corvette and it is a different world. Specific books, enough new parts to fix or restore anything it is like heaven compared to trying to find parts for the Fiero or info.




Thanks Hyper... yeah, I'm just really surprised... like, I purchased about a dozen of them so far, and they're all pretty much garbage. Even for generic books, there are only a couple that I find to be even remotely usable. It's like they were designed by a person who's never restored a car before. There's a single line for "Engine," like... that's where you put (for example), "Oldsmobile 455 Big Block."

I'd expect there to be an entire page JUST on the engine... something where I'd be able to enter all the specifications for the cam selection (lobe, duration, lift, etc.), and then a whole section for parts numbers for pistons, connecting rods, and which sized bearings were used... all that. There's literally nothing like that. These books (the ones I've gotten in the mail thus far) are totally garbage. Like... I'm legitimately surprised.
R Runner AUG 06, 07:33 PM
MY 2 cents for what its worth.....(and I have not used a planning book)

When I built my IMSA, I started with a log book of the purchase of the major components, and then I listed projects by systems. Each major component or system was a self contained project and I recorded it as such. Major components are fairly well known (as you found with the generic books...), but the systems are not always thought of as a loop. I used a 3 ring binder for system hand written notes, plans and drawings. Drawings helped me determine part numbers needed for each small component in each system. Sub-systems can be attacked the same way.

System examples:
- Braking
- Clutch
- Oil system
- Cooling

I think that making your own planner based on the sequential projects your daughter plans to attack is the best approach. In my opinion, you guys are already on the right track.
On a side note, I commend you and your daughter on making these videos. Great job!

------------------
Paul

Vintage-Nut AUG 06, 08:20 PM
I haven't used a 'project planning book' either, however I normally merely 'maintaining'.

I make a 'Vehicle Maintenance Log' on Microsoft Excel

On the odometer, the spreadsheet has routine maintenance 'blocks' of tasks to 'checkoff'.

When I'm repairing/rebuilding, I use the lines for more details on each item.

When I'm refurbishing, I make a separate 'Expenditure' log.

As R Runner, I use a 3-ring binder too with a large envelope to hold receipts.
Rick Vanderpool AUG 07, 08:39 AM
Stacey David of Gearz sells a project planning guide. It's not cheep, but he has created high end vehicles and has a good reputation.
pmbrunelle AUG 07, 12:51 PM
It's not something I have done. I personally use a Word document to organise the work to be performed on my Fiero. It is a document that is in constant evolution, as plans change depending on how the project goes. Afterwards, photos/drawings/notes are stored in a computer, with files organised in a hierarchical structure, organised by category (engine, suspension, with subcategories for each). I digitize paper documents, because I don't want to have to store paper. Plus, the data is backed up in case the house burns to the ground.

It might be a good idea to introduce your daughter to Microsoft Project, if she's interested in doing Gantt charts and such. These skills may prove useful later in the workplace.

[This message has been edited by pmbrunelle (edited 08-07-2023).]

fieroguru AUG 07, 03:28 PM
I use excel for all my projects and R&D efforts.