I know the Tech Week stuff is incredible, but I'd like to start a list of the old "How-To" books that inspired us and gave us all the hard to find know-how before the internet. Let's keep out the Chilton's stuff and any 70s and newer stuff although the Tex Smith stuff is often goldmine information but lets keep it early. Here's some stuff to kick us off. A must for everyone...the Hot Rod Technical Library Kinda broke my own rule on the last one but they're REALLY great and informative!
Hot Rod Handbooks A "Bible" of sorts for Torching Early How-To with hand drawn diagrams. Odds and Ends of how to eeek out speed
I liked it, but sadly I have nothing to contribute to it, but thanks for posting. I really need to find some of those old custom books.
The original THE BOY MECHANIC by popular mechanics. I think it was first printed in the 40s? Our library had a 1st edition that I think I kept checked out for about 5 years straight
I'm trying to figure out why this guy is about to jam the tool bit micrometer into the whirling cutting head...... .
My favorite is the late John Thawley's Practical Engine Swapping. The text drew on excellent Petersen magazine articles, but heavily revised and absolutely filled with great info.
I've never seen The Boy Mechanic. I think I've seen the Practical Engine Swapping but I can't be sure. I've always heard the infamous Custom Blue Book guide to restyling is a great book but have never got my hands on one. Can anybody confirm?
Boy Mechanic was re-issiued. It was more geared towards hobbies to keep kids outt trouble but there are plans for air powered ice boats and all sorts of things, crossbows even
This is what i have right here. Two about chassis and one about body repairs. I also have model specific books and some others
A couple more I noticed posted by HAMBer jpm49c on Seret's "Sports Car" build thread...these books are rumored to be loaded with knowledge!
I don't have them scanned (yet) but I'm working getting a complete collection of the Hot Rod Technical Library little books... The amount of information in these is invaluable in my opinion. I can't even find this kind of information online. I have -Hot rod engine swaps -Carburetion systems -Ignition systems (both editions) -Exhaust systems (both editions) -Wiring systems -Steering and Chassis -Clutches and Transimissions -Custom car grilles -Fins and taillights -Custom painting techniques -Custom wheels & Lowering -Dashboards and Detailing -Scoops and Sculpturing -Custom headlights and fenders -Model cars -Custom Chevies -Custom Fords -Hot Rodding the Plymouth -Fuel Systems -Bodywork -Brake Systems -Cams and Valves -Custom Upholstery and I still have a large amount to find yet
One I have that my Dad inherited from his Uncle and I got from him - Dykes Automobile and Gasoline Engine Encyclopedia (1936 edition) - has a section on building speedsters, on turning a car into a truck, setting up a repair shop, installing a car engine (ModelT) in a boat, aircraft engines, has tons of information on different types of engines. I haven't used it for anything other than fantasy, but if I actually wanted to build a speedster the way they did in the old days, it tells me how. You can find them for sale in old bookstores sometimes, various editions, and on the internet of course. Chris
Here's an online copy: http://www.archive.org/stream/dykesautomobile00dykegoog#page/n1/mode/2up (It's a great book, I first found out about it from a 96 year old machinist)
The Jalopy Journal
