As time passes and I become more and more familiar with the automatic transmissions (keep in mind that I'm totally self taught and decided to "learn" these things over the past....well, probably 15 years, now), I keep hoping that I will become "fast" at rebuilding these things....I can now "throw" all the pieces into cleaning baskets without regard to where the pieces go.

However, it's not happening, the way I do them. (Most "rebuilders" just remove the differential and set it to the side. This seems stupid, to me. The only practical time the differential can be "serviced" is when the transmission is apart. That's the time to do this job, also.

Here's what I "allow" myself to rebuild one.

Disassemble and inspect: 1.5 hours
Clean, inspect, change seals, build up the sub-assemblies (clutches/differential/front "converter housing"/case/planetary/etc.), change the hidden o-rings, modify pieces to get to the hidden O-rings and be able to re-assemble (for a non limited slip/PSD transmission): 8 hours. With L/S: Add 2 hours. W/PSD: Add 3 hours.
Assemble transmission: 6 hours.
Disassemble, clean, rebuild valve body: 4 hours, if alone on a weekend. 6-8 hours if on a weekday.

Tough to have a comprehensive class on that, in one day!

 

I'm on board. I will even offer to teach a class on electricity, switches, components, current flow, and practical electrical troubleshooting.

I just bought a 3500 sq/ft well-lit, concrete hangar about 60 miles southwest of DFW, and I could host it as well. Notwithstanding the value of trans rebuilding, I would say the focus should be on less esoteric, and more wide ranging applications. Yes, every car has a trans, but the reality is that I and most others have no business cracking open the case. Even after 8 hours of training.

I would suggest at least two full days, if not three. I have done plenty of tech training in the past. Classes should be ~35% lecture, followed by the remaining hands on training with real tools, and real cars. Limit the classes to 3-4 hours, two sessions per day.

It would be really great to have an expert in AFM and/or CIS injection. Another in suspension, brakes, steering. Etc.

 

Maybe for posterity sake a syllabus and properly recorded sessions with good audio could be offered as DVD set such as (The definitive guide to the care and feeding of a Shark (928) .If not DVD's the posted to a pay site for those of use who can't be lucky enough to attend.

 

I'm stoked to see this gaining some momentum. I just bought a 16v '81 motor from Mark Woodsma so I could take the GB method and take it apart to see how it all works.
My vision of this " weekend structured workshop" would be somewhere in the US where it would be easily assessable to everyone in the country and not west coast specific. This is why I considered the " Great State of Texas". It would be an all day Friday and Saturday event leaving time for people to go home on Sunday. 8 hours per day with a break for lunch. No BS.
However Gregs shop would work as well if we could move some of the out door cars around and allow places for parking and seating. GB has a common side driveway that can't be blocked on Friday.

The categories would be
1) Mechanicals
Gearboxes
intake refresh
maintenance
Shark Tuning
etc
2) electrics
3) Interior ( demo on pulling out a dash and replacing all the needed stuff
4) Detailing
5) Brakes, tires and wheels
6) Bumper and trim removal

We would need a specialist in each category as this would be a revolving class room situation.
The presenters should be compensated for their travel and lodging.

I'm thinking that we would need about 150 owners and this takes up a lot of space including tents or something that can be used for classrooms.

 

You're thinking all these sessions on the same weekend? Back to back or concurrently?

I'm thinking that not many of those "classes" would be quick and dirty and they would go on for hours.

If someone wanted to take multiple classes, that could be an issue.

 

That's the problem "Catch 22"

When we did the Airstream events they had a few projects that went all weekend such as replacing an axle or pulling a shell off and putting it back on. The classes such as electronics or metal bending were on going so you could sit in some or they would be only an hour or so. One class on Solar so you had to pick and choose what was important. Pulling a bumper off or a dash out could only take and hour or less.
Some others could take all day or more.
This is a process

 

LOL, Dr. Bob, I always thought the going rate for owner help was double the normal hourly rate.

This really could be a viable plan.

Some things to think about:
These classes/tech sessions could be ongoing with the classes repeating periodically.
It could be tied in some way to the 928OC. (registration/payment/scheduling/membership) Or not.
They could be held in various parts of the country and not just in a singular location
Maybe it could be also tied to a technical type school from whence new graduates could become interns in the 928 repair pool.
The instructor, as pointed out, would need to be reimbursed for their time at a rate that would make the class worth their while and make them want to teach it again, (TBD)

I would think that you might have one topic group per month in one location. The next month you might have another group of topics at that location OR you might have a different group of topics in another location

 

I would not take compensation for teaching a class on 928s(of course, that may be more a reflection on the value of my electrical knowledge too).

Hosting needs to be a big, lighted, and covered structure. The vagaries of weather wouldn't be good for a scheduled event where a lot of people gather. Alternately, it needs to be in several nearby smaller locations. I value hands-on work about 80% greater than lecture with notes. Ideally, we would get a student mix where they are truly interested in gaining knowledge and experience in a subject that they lack skills.

One way it's done is to run everyone through a 'gauntlet' of classes, which is the 'academy' approach. Aviation training does it this way: "Mon am; weather, and decision making. Mon pm; Pre-flight, take off, and cruise. Tue am; Approaches and landings, etc". OR, the classes can be ad-hoc, and delivered on a rotation, and the students sign up for the events as published. The benefits to ad-hoc is that classes without much interest can be converted to classes with greater attendance.

We should also start figuring out which subjects should be covered. Maybe I am wrong on the trans stuff. But - the auto trans is a LOT of stuff to cover in 4-6 hours. Mistakes in there can be $$$.

 

This is a great idea! Even though I don't own a 928 right now, I did just bring Seans 87 5 speed home yesterday! Its good to go ready for a long drive....plus I need to get it to LA to get a windshield from Mark A anyway.

 

Count me in for learning and education. I need some classes. N. Texas would work so I don't have to leave home.

 

The reason for charging a fee is to pay for whatever tents and logistics. Also if an instructor would have to travel to the event I feel that travel and lodging fees should be paid.
I wonder if PCA would endorse it?

I do think we should try and get as many vendors involved.

 

live stream(WebEx or Skype)? can also record class and sell vids to those who couldn't make it in person?

 

Great idea!

 

 

These are shots of the Airstream Academy. It was set up in tents. Pic of the instructor ( once owned a 928 in Germany) showing my smarter half how to drill out a rivet.