Inferiority Complex

jim1932

jim1932

Well-known member
So I just dropped a head off to be cleaned and fluxed. First time, and frankly, not sure the head merits the expense. Machinist is one of those guys who has been around forever, used to race a Willies.. and so on. Here I am, loved cars all my life but never done much. Accountant by trade, this is my first excursion into a cool car (unless you count a 72 firebird with a 2 barrel that I drag raced). I would pay to watch this guy work for a couple days.

Don't get me wrong, I am NOT finding fault with anyone here or locally. Just wondering if I have any comrades. I feel like that pimple face younger brother who gets to go hang with his older brother and all the cool car guys and trying hard not to make an *** of myself.

Anyone else feel the same way?
 
Just keep in mind that no matter how much anyone else may seem to know, there was a point in all of their lives that they knew even less than you know. Sometimes some seem to forget that and act like they've always known all that they now know and can't understand why others are so dumb but they are rare. Hopefully we all are constantly remembering how little we used to know and are patient and kind to others that we can help rather than belittle and ridicule.

The key is the desire to know and the humility to learn. With that anyone can go far, including you.:)

(Heck, I'm an attorney. If I can learn anything surely an accountant can.;))
 
Jump right in, the water's fine..... I know what you're feeling in a way. I've been a Ford guy since the early 70's and worked on 65 Mustang's until they were coming out my ears. I dabbled a little with flatty's back then, but not much. I spent 30+ years in Ford parts and about 10 years ago came back to flatheads. I have learned alot here by lurking in the background. What I know about flatheads wouldn't hold a candle to most of the guys here. Every day I come here and learn a little more. Just because you are new to this, don't be afraid to ask any questions you may have. No question is a dumb question if you learn from it. Ask! These guys here will steer you straight and give you a honest answer. THey may rib you a little, but no harm intended.
Come on in and enjoy the friendship of fellow flathead owners!!
 
Old Henry said:
Sometimes some seem to forget that and act like they've always known all that they now know and can't understand why others are so dumb but they are rare.
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I do HVAC service and install, in my field there not rare. The ones who are always running @ the skimmer are the ones with all the callbacks and disregard code.

The smartest guy in the room smiles and doesn't say a word:D
 
Old Henry said:
Just keep in mind that no matter how much anyone else may seem to know, there was a point in all of their lives that they knew even less than you know. Sometimes some seem to forget that and act like they've always known all that they now know and can't understand why others are so dumb but they are rare. Hopefully we all are constantly remembering how little we used to know and are patient and kind to others that we can help rather than belittle and ridicule.

The key is the desire to know and the humility to learn. With that anyone can go far, including you.:)

(Heck, I'm an attorney. If I can learn anything surely an accountant can.;))
Click to expand...

I am not saying anyone made me feel this way. Just smart enough to know I don't know squat. The hard part is learning the beginning basics, like a mild hopping up, when you are reading about hal heads or concourse body off cars that cost 50K to do.
 
Hey Jim, don't go beating yourself up.I'll bet your machinist doesn't know much about accounting either.He probably appreciates your interest and curiosity.I'm sure you both know a great deal about your own fields.The difference is one has a sharp pencil and the other has greasy fingernails.
 
Willit Stop said:
Hey Jim, don't go beating yourself up.I'll bet your machinist doesn't know much about accounting either.He probably appreciates your interest and curiosity.I'm sure you both know a great deal about your own fields.The difference is one has a sharp pencil and the other has greasy fingernails.
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I'm not beating myself up, I'm OK... Just saying I think there are a lot of us under.. Oh say under 60 who are not life long car guys. Just trying to connect with the other guys in the same boat.
 
Jim,

You are not alone. I am an IT guy and have not tinkered much with cars, and it am in my in my forties. However, there is something we must do: we must learn as much as we can to keep this cars running, and pass on the knowledge :)
 
hingebird said:
Jim,

You are not alone. I am an IT guy and have not tinkered much with cars, and it am in my in my forties. However, there is something we must do: we must learn as much as we can to keep this cars running, and pass on the knowledge :)
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Oh I agree on learning as much as possible... Someone needs to keep these things going in another 25 years. :D
 
Old Henry said:
Just keep in mind that no matter how much anyone else may seem to know, there was a point in all of their lives that they knew even less than you know. Sometimes some seem to forget that and act like they've always known all that they now know and can't understand why others are so dumb but they are rare. Hopefully we all are constantly remembering how little we used to know and are patient and kind to others that we can help rather than belittle and ridicule.

The key is the desire to know and the humility to learn. With that anyone can go far, including you.:)

(Heck, I'm an attorney. If I can learn anything surely an accountant can.;))
Click to expand...

Hey Old Henry, I didn't know you were an attorney. I am a "retarded" Attorney myself. Have fully recovered from that affliction. LOL
 
Been working on flatties for over 60 years. I still learn things about them all the time. Actually you will find the learning is the most enjoyable part of the whole thing. Jump in there! Lots of good help here.
 
after 35 years playing with oldies I thought I was pretty good at what I do then I saw the work done on a zephyr coupe on the barn,felt like a beginner again
 
jim1932:

Go talk to THE MAN if he has been around like you said & this is not a real big Machine shop where every minute has to be accounted for and charged off to some thing or some one.
You may be surprised how willing some of these guys are to share there wealth of knowledge / they may not go into all the secrets they have tucked away But in most cases the real ( Grease under the finger nail ) guy's would be honered that you asked.
 
Its why I love motor cars... A good friend and our Ford club Pres' [Rick55] has this under his signature.. From the man himself..
Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.
Henry Ford
 
BILL WZOREK said:
jim1932:

Go talk to THE MAN if he has been around like you said & this is not a real big Machine shop where every minute has to be accounted for and charged off to some thing or some one.
You may be surprised how willing some of these guys are to share there wealth of knowledge / they may not go into all the secrets they have tucked away But in most cases the real ( Grease under the finger nail ) guy's would be honered that you asked.
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Thats in the plan, I want to see how Babbitts get done. I am already learning a bit by tearing apart this old Junk A motor I bought. and I am learning by taking the head to get it dipped and fluxed and surfaced. I still have a ton of basics to learn (like welding for one).
 
I always told my children that you can not learn any younger. I also told them that the only people that don't make mistakes are the people that don't do anything. I agree with Talkwrench also.
Gary.
 
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