JJB Serenity Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 As some of you already know, I am mechanically inept and want to get some books that cover the basics. At the moment I can't tell a carburettor from my elbow I'm looking for something that is written with simpletons like myself in mind and that explains clearly and simply how engines, gearboxes and other parts work, preferably with good diagrams/pictures. If it's Land Rover specific, even better. Any recommendations? Many thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landy V8 Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 As some of you already know, I am mechanically inept and want to get some books that cover the basics. At the moment I can't tell a carburettor from my elbow I'm looking for something that is written with simpletons like myself in mind and that explains clearly and simply how engines, gearboxes and other parts work, preferably with good diagrams/pictures. If it's Land Rover specific, even better. Any recommendations? Many thanks John start with a Haynes manual and go from there.Even has pictures to relieve boredom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJB Serenity Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 I have a Haynes manual but was looking for something a bit more explanatory. As I say, an idiots guide really Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landy V8 Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 doubt you'll get much more,maybe with a workshop manual tho. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tonka Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 have a look on you tube, i know it sounds weird, but people have put up video's explaining how differentials, gearboxes, engines etc work, some of it is fairly anal but with a video you can see what the person is talking about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 AA Book of the Car, from the 70s, very good reading, explains just about everything with those classic old-school drawings in red and black. They should come up on Ebay for next to nothing nowadays, I inherited mine from my dad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJB Serenity Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 AA Book of the Car, from the 70s, Nice one thanks, I'll look it up. There is a lot on youchoob as Tonka says, but I do like to have a book to browse through really. Cheers anyway though Tonka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brighouse shed Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 sorry had a quick raid of child's bookcase cant see it, if you want really simple Dorling Kindersley used to do a "how it works" with moving card drawing/models really superb if only to play with the piccies. Would have made O'levels a lot easier Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJB Serenity Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 Thanks Brighouse Shed, something around GCSE/O Level is what I'm after actually. The fact that you searched your child's bookshelf for something that I need to learn from is a sad indictment of my mechanical knowledge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickwilliams Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Not got time to search for you right now, but I'd suggest Googling to see if you can find any military training manuals. The US Army, in particular, seem to have manuals which cover all sorts of useful things along the line of workshop practice, and that may include a basic vehicle maintenance/repair course. They are likely to be pretty dated (60's vintage) but that's probably an advantage in this case. You are aware, I assume, that many adult ed. colleges offer basic car maintenance evening classes? (or they used to - that may no longer be the case with the current and past rounds of belt tightening). Nick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tom td5 Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Hi there, When i did my apprenticeship in mechanics i got this book http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hilliers-Fundamentals-Motor-Vehicle-Technology/dp/0748780823 Covers absolutely every thing, Obviously not landrover specific but will tell you how every thing works Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJB Serenity Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 Thanks Tom that looks like just what I'm after Cheers John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 A lot of stuff is explained quite well on Wikipedia, also there's a load of technical articles on Pirate4x4. YouTube has some good stuff too, but there are also some very misguided people making videos so it's a bit of a minefield. The same goes for quite a few other how-it-works kinda websites I've seen. Haynes manuals aren't too bad (or didn't used to be), the RAVE manuals (free download from link in Part Numbers forum) do explain how everything on the car works in great detail, I am often surprised when I read them that they explain stuff one would not expect them to bother with, and that people often ask about on forums Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJB Serenity Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 I've not really looked at the RAVE manuals to be honest, I will have a look at them Fridge. I've heard of them but I always assumed that they would be very advanced I found a website called 'How Stuff Works' which is quite good for the really basic stuff so that's helped. Thanks FF! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tychoS Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 As some of you already know, I am mechanically inept and want to get some books that cover the basics. At the moment I can't tell a carburettor from my elbow I'm looking for something that is written with simpletons like myself in mind and that explains clearly and simply how engines, gearboxes and other parts work, preferably with good diagrams/pictures. If it's Land Rover specific, even better. Any recommendations? Many thanks John I can recommend the videos published on YouTube by "University Motors", an MG specialist workshop in the US. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=university+motors&aq=f Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gazzar Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 I can recommend the videos published on YouTube by "University Motors", an MG specialist workshop in the US. http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=university+motors&aq=f All these suggestions are good, my first "how it works" book was something I picked up at a village sale ages ago - it was SOOOO old it covered rolls royce merlin engines (World War 2 aeroengine). What I'd suggest is you ask here - on this thread. We are all learning still, and part of the obligation of those who have learned is to teach (or so I feel). So, if you get a topic that has you scratching your head, ask away. If you think that the question is too stupid then don't be afraid to PM me. But don't be afraid to ask here - questions like " what IS a carburettor?" "how does the fuel get into the engine?" and the like may seem stupid, but they aren't, if you don't know. Anyway, best of luck with your exploration of mechanics. Ask away. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 If I get time I'll dig out the article Bill S wrote for Practical Performance Car on carbs, it was rather good. Gazzar is right - places like this are the ideal place to ask, you can guarantee that if you're wondering how something works there are a load of other people reading the thread and thinking "I'm glad he asked that 'cos I don't know". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJB Serenity Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 well, the RAVE manual doesn't work on my computer because I use a Mac Thanks for the offers of help chaps and I will ask when I don't understand something, don't worry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
western Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 These might help too, split into seperate sections for variousvehicle areas http://www.carbibles.com/ might be worth finding out about college evening classes for car mechanics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJB Serenity Posted January 4, 2011 Author Share Posted January 4, 2011 Great website, thanks Western! I would like to do an evening class but I don't really have the time or money at the moment. Definitely an idea for the future though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 well, the RAVE manual doesn't work on my computer because I use a Mac But the RAVE manuals are just PDF's, should be no problem for a Mac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Retroanaconda Posted January 4, 2011 Share Posted January 4, 2011 They only work with a certain older version of Acrobat (which it contains and launches for you), which I don't think works with Macs. I'm sure it's possible to extract the individual PDF files (they're all there), it's just finding away around the locking system on them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJB Serenity Posted January 5, 2011 Author Share Posted January 5, 2011 If I try to open the pdf's individually they come up blank. I have an old PC laptop somewhere in the loft that I can dig out and see if it will work on that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 6, 2011 Share Posted January 6, 2011 Just found this, thought it may have some useful stuff: http://www.team.net/sol/tech/ This site contains the immortal quote: "Carburettor is a French word meaning leave it alone" Also google TeriAnn Wakeman's site for some tech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJB Serenity Posted January 6, 2011 Author Share Posted January 6, 2011 nice one thanks FF! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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