How many of you have college degrees?

[Ken]

I almost feel inadequate even posting in this thread. I'm 32 years and in about a year and nine months I'll graduate from local technical college. I'm studying Automotive Technology. Not a big degree that boast some acronym. I salute you folks that paid yer dues compared to all the hell raising I did during my teens and late twenties. I do have to wonder how many of y'all are weekend warriors vs. real cowboys. I want to be the guy that works on folks like Rick and Ken's car. I'm not much of a people person so I've always been the guy that builds or fixes things.

Anyway your education is definitely important. I wish I would have at least acquired an Associates Degree.

Sam, nothing to feel inadequate about. Congratulations on your accomplishment!

Smartest guy I've ever known was my dad. He graduated from eighth grade. Had a great job, white-collar after all the promotions. Had dozens of people working under him.

I WISH I could find a good auto-tech. Idiot who's rebuilding my Cobra engine (spun a bearing) ordered dish-head pistons instead of flat head by mistake. Tries to tell me 8.5:1 compression would be the same as 10:1. He's supposed to be a Mustang Expert. I won't have the CONVERTABLE back for at least two more weeks. Tech charges me$7,500.00 for this job .

[Sam Reeves]

Sam - There's a saying that I believe is very true. Learn a trade and you will never go hungry.

Yeah, I like that saying myself.

[Sam Reeves]

Tech charges me$7,500.00 for this job .

WTF, Ken!

$2000 parts
$1500 labor should have been the most he charged to overhaul the bottom end.

SUE!

[Ken]

WTF, Ken!

$2000 parts
$1500 labor should have been the most he charged to overhaul the bottom end.

SUE!

Shaved the heads. New everything. Pistons, Rods, bearings, crank, etc. Injectors and clutch, too. Labor was $3,000. I kept a close eye on the parts costs - not much mark-up. We'll see what the Dyno says when it's done.

[Rick]

But think how much you are saving on gas while it's down.

[Sam Reeves]

Shaved the heads. New everything. Pistons, Rods, bearings, crank, etc. Injectors and clutch,[ too. Labor was $3,000. I kept a close eye on the parts costs - not much mark-up. We'll see what the Dyno says when it's done.

I reckon where he got you was he charged you labor for the clutch as if motor was still in the car. I'd be ashamed to hand somebody a bill like that. Maybe there is just something there that I am not seeing.

I had you pegged for a Honda guy.

[Sam Reeves]

But think how much you are saving on gas while it's down.

I think that's why the cape cod freeway is so empty today. Massachusetts motor techs can't figure out how to put the things back together.

[Ken]

But think how much you are saving on gas while it's down.

Drivin' the Explorer. Your right. With the Cobra, I'd just be wasting gas driving to the Cape, to Newport, to ......... Damn, I want my car back!

[BraggSurvivor]

Grade 10 dropout for me. When I was showing up my so called "teachers" in high school, I felt it was time to leave and be on my way. I've never looked back or let the dust collect under my feet.

No regrets here.

Tunick, learn the real secret of success...... the meaning of life for you.

[Rick]

I never had that problem. I always got stuff back together. It was the left over parts that I was never comfortable with. Somehow I always manage to make things work with less parts that the factory used.

[Ken]

I reckon where he got you was he charged you labor for the clutch as if motor was still in the car. I'd be ashamed to hand somebody a bill like that. Maybe there is just something there that I am not seeing.

I had you pegged for a Honda guy.

What you ain't seeing is that he asked me for some legal advice. Seems he got himself into a little bit (a lot) of sh*t. I already got him out of it, and what I did is coming off my bill. BARTER. The currency of Free Traxistan!

[Ken]

I think that's why the cape cod freeway is so empty today. Massachusetts motor techs can't figure out how to put the things back together.

Well, the guy is good. Exceptionally good from what I'm told. Just a lousy businessman and a bullsh*t artist.

[Sam Reeves]

BARTER. The currency of Free Traxistan!

I thought I was banished and you were deported?

[Ken]

I thought I was banished and you were deported?

Do you really pay any attention to that guy?

[Sam Reeves]

Do you really pay any attention to that guy?

That's why I asked for a second opinion.

[FVR]

My first question is, why the he ll do you worry about what your parents think at 31 or 32?

I am the first person in both my fathers and mothers family to go to college and get a degree.

8 years in the USMC, got out and went to work. 5 years later, I had a degree that I earned going to college Friday nights, Sat's, Sun's, and Monday nights. I ended up with a BS in Business. My wife and I then had our own company for years, spent a year as a hs acc. I & II teacher, then got into construction and worked my way from being an env. tech to project manager. Spent close to two years in an office and requested to be transferred to the tech. side again.

I am now a sr tech and I love my job. At 45, my job keeps me in shape, shape that others my age pay to go to a gym to get into.

Has the degree helped me? Oh yeh, of course, the year as a hs teacher would not have been done without it.

But, I did not need college to survive, my current job does not require it.

But then, if I ever want to go back into that dreaded 4 walled he ll, the degree will get me back in.

[Chicago Dan]

I have 3 degrees and I am a dropout.

B.S. Accounting
B.S. Business Management(Focus: Production Management)
B.S. Finance(Focus: Marketable Securities/Commodities)

I dropped out of the rat race and have no regrets.

[Ken]

I have 3 degrees and I am a dropout.

B.S. Accounting
B.S. Business Management(Focus: Production Management)
B.S. Finance(Focus: Marketable Securities/Commodities)

I dropped out of the rat race and have no regrets.

Hope to follow you soon, Dan.

[Arkansas_Ranger]

I wish....1872.

LOL. Rick is always good for a few one liners.

[Arkansas_Ranger]

Go for it, Ranger!

Thanks, Ken!