1) Create a schedule, not just mentally, but on paper. Write out a weekly schedule of what you are going to do; then create a written schedule for each day’s activities. This will help discipline you to do what needs to be done, and it will help clarify the items in your mind.

One of the classic stories about my dad is his first vehicle. Because his mom certainly could not afford to buy him a car, and the money he made on side jobs and summer employment was not going to get him a car, he got very crafty. He went to the junkyard, bought four junk vehicles, and took the good parts to form one working vehicle. Every time he needed maintenance done, he would go to the money for junk cars and either find the part in good condition or refurbish a semi-decent part. Through all this work, he became very good at truck repair, which made him very proud. He tells stories about cruising around town with his brother in tow like the two of them were the president and vice president in this beat up old Ford.

Only call the salvage yard as a last resort. Salvage yards are only willing to give you the minimum for your junk car. For obvious reasons. They receive calls all the time from people that want to get rid of their cars for a buck. You are no different. They are in the position to make the rules.

A lot of this growth is attributed to roughly 1,000 auto parts oriented industrial throughout the nation, and that about 10% of these lie in prime regional development zones and clusters.

The most important thing is to be able to tell if an auto part is genuine or not. When you are knowledgeable enough, you can’t be offered products that are not meant for your specifications. Thus, it would give you big edge to have enough information regarding auto parts from junkyards.

If it’s an aluminum system check for corrosion and epoxy around the tank joins. Aluminum radiators need special coolant. If it’s not used they will corrode rapidly and begin springing pin leaks. Also, a common failure with aluminum cores is separation from the plastic tank. The common repair is epoxy cement. Stay clear if you see these obvious repairs.