various website to learn from

Over the past couple of years, I have been answering questions about different problems people have had with their cars. Many have sent me direct e-mails on a specific problem looking for answers. While I have tried to answer many of them, many are way beyond my experience.

I am an old-school general mechanic, self-taught by desire and need. Since the 60's when I purchased my first car (a VW Karmen Ghia), I learned on my own to repair them. I have spent a small fortune on Haynes and Chilton manuals for every car I purchased. Once the new ones were out of warranty, I did my own work. Sometimes I did it right; sometimes I had to redo everything to get it right; and at times it had to go to the dealer for the repairs. I've rebuilt parts (when you could) and rewired entire vehicles (when corrosion was the major problem). I've transplanted engines and transmissions (Olds into a VW bus, Chevy into a Doge, Ford into a VW bug). And all of this was from learning what to do.

With the internet coming of age to the general public, sometimes this learning was easier and most of the time not. The Internet was originally started to allow people to pass information back and forth, trying to solve each person's problem in a specific field. And since the DOT com era, most websites ended up being a sales pitch more than anything else. Searching the various forums sometimes can be frustrating, especially if you are looking for a SPECIFIC cure to a problem. There are times when it is better to search for a general problem, and then look at the specifics. While I have saved money on tons of repairs, I also have spent money on problems beyond my experience.

I wanted to pass on several of the websites and forums I use and read. Most are great, but some are not so great. But here is a list of my favorites that should help most of you people with auto problems with the Panthers.

www.supermotors.net
www.crownvic.net
http://www.cvpi.org/forums/forum.php
http://www.allfordmustangs.com/forums/
http://www.pantherfreedom.net/techlib/index.html
http://www.cb7tuner.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=147239 - Chilton manuals online
http://www.modularfords.com/forum.php


Never just rely on a specific website for all the answers. If its a Ford, you may need to go to several different Ford forums to search for a solution to your problem. I once had a code come up on my CVPi that said to replace the O2 sensors on the left bank. A quick search online in a Ford truck forum had me searching for a vacuum leak. COST: $1.35 vacuum hose versus a $89.99 EACH for two O2 sensors as advised by Advance Auto Parts.

I hope some of this helps the rest of you. Believe it or not, the more you learn, the smarter you get.

Bravo.....!!!!

Thanks for the contributions...you provide almost every time...!!!!

Thanks! I already joined crownvic.net due to one of your earlier posts in response to one of my questions I will take a look at the others.

JD just as everone else has said, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge, with the rest of us that are brain farting! These new jalopys are very confusing at times, theres nothing like wrenching on old school, just bare bones Brother!Thank once agian!

Great info. I can't figure out how to join crownvic.net, though! I've been approved and sent an activation link, but I still can't log on. It's now saying my acct hasn't been approved yet. Uggh. Someone on facebook page told me to look for a link to creat an email there. They have a sticky on there about it, but I still can't figure it out. Oh well. I'll keep at it until I do. I even wondered if my computer is acting up and just not showing the link they;re talking about!

As for the other links, definitely good stuff, too. I'm hopefully picking up my first CVPI tomorrow and I can't get enough info about them.

RIZO of JMOD fame said on his You Tube comments when someone asked why they couldn't join he said it's because the owner of the site has to personally approve any members and sometimes he just doesn't want to. He went on to actually say he is a jerk (not my words, you can find it in the comment section of RIZO's Jmod you tube modification of the 4R75W.
I simply gave up and decided to join PanthersBB.com the guys are great and nobody flames you, I am a Chevy guy and bought a 2009 CVPI and had to do a ton of changes to make an older transmission work and Colin (the administrator) took me step-by-step through it never getting mad and others are helpful as well, some are also members from CrownVic.net but a lot of members (like myself) was never approved by CrownVic so we found another home!
Check 'em out the guys are nice, and they are very knowledgeable and you don't get the flamers that wonder why you want a spotlight or pushbar, etc. just great people!
http://www.pantherbb.com/index.php

I had the same problem with crownvic.net, and am also waiting to be approved. I don't think that there is any way to contact them, as I have just about given up on them.
Mine keeps saying to re-register, but won't allow me to.