Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
It is must be nice to be so over paid that you can throw away aftermarket parts.



Don't whine. I charge fair prices [never over *suggested list* and my labor rate is about $10.00 per hour less than most in my area] because I'm such a nice guy.


Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
I do agree on one thing, the cams should not be their own camshaft holders, BUT again, a special tool is not needed,



What's wrong with using the right tool? Isn't that why *you* went to a professional when you had your gears/pulleys changed...because they had that *special* tool [the same tool that I use when doing the belt replacement, in the first place] that you didn't have?

Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
you can use a wrench on a certain part of the cams to hold them.



Not all year models...and why didn't you do that? You're the expert that says it's so simple to do, using makeshift tools...why did you bug a professional with your pulley job?


Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Though I didn't even have to do that because there is another way to hold them as well, but I don't suggest it for everyone to do.



Love to hear about it.


Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
I guess you don't even know what kind of file I am talking about. A large file that is used to sharpen blades (not fingernails), a file that is in the same shape/size as the ford tool will perform the same job as the ford tool.



I'm dealing with cams, so I'll use the right tool, always, not some file that's designed for another task. And when I need a file, I'll use a file, not a rock or a Greek man's chin whiskers.


Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Anyways, I obviously know how to work on a zetec (yes A zetec, so I guess if I had to work on another, I couldn't do it, because I've only worked on A zetec yet it still runs fine ).



Could you make a living at doing it, expert?


Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
I think you'd be a mechanic I would avoid, number 1 because you probably over charge for a SIMPLE timing belt replacement, because you think you have to buy hundreds of tools to do it.



Any decent mechanic does exactly what I do [buy tools for the cars that they're working on], except they probably charge more...and probably even sell parts to customers that aren't really needed, but we never do that at our shop. Fact is, every mechanic at our shop that has ever tried to over-sell a job, has been terminated.


Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
Yet I can change it in my backyard. Any decent mechanic will know how to change a timing belt (correctly) on a zetec and will already have the tools to do it (even if they aren't all ford specific tools).



Can they make a living at doing in their back yard?


Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
I know the performance shop that installed my cam gears didn't have all the Ford tools yet they managed to install my cam gears perfectly



By using...let me guess...an OTC tool, which is the same tool as Ford's tool?


Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
and in less time (less cost) than they had originally quoted. But I'm sure you could find something to argue about with the owner of the performance shop, an owner that builds and races various race cars. There will always be a "by the book" way and then there will be the "what works" way.



He uses what works...or does he use special tools that are required when working on and building engines?


Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
I go by the "what works" way because it's cheaper, takes less time, and guess what?,,, it works.



You'd never get hired as a mechanic, I trust.

As a mechanic, your customers expect you to use professional tools and to have the proper training and experience. That's what they're paying for.

Using the right tools save time, they don't make the job harder to do. LOL.

If a customer asked you to scan their computer and to fix the problem, would you whip out a paper clip, w/ a big smile on your face, or would you show them your $10,000 MODIS and tell them that this is at least as good as what most professional mechanics are using, today.

If a customer had a misfire problem their late-model DIS, Direct-Fire, etc, you'd grab up some vacuum hoses and a test light, or maybe a screwdriver and some rubber gloves, or would you ask them to please pull up to your $18,000.00 Diagnostic Center, telling them that it's not the most expensive, but it's at least as good as what most professional shops are using, today?

And timing belts are simple? Tell that to the shade-tree b**b that doesn't do it right the first time, and ends up having their car towed to the shop for a $1,500.00 repair because they expected their engine to be a free-wheeling design, and it wasn't.