Meghan (Soon2BNewbie) -
I keep going back over this discussion and thinking of things I should have added.
Have your mother read the stuff I've posted recently. Then, tell her that, 40 some years ago, my mother felt the same way about my motor vehicle adventures as your mother feels about what you're considering.
On the other hand, your mother has some very valid concerns and you should take them into consideration. (Same as my situation, way back when ... sometimes I listened, sometimes I didn't, and was 50/50 on learning the hard way or being successful.)
When they were in their teens, I made my son and daughter learn motor vehicle maintenance and repair. It wasn't just the simple stuff like oil changes and engine tune-ups. I made them do more complex things, like brake jobs, changing alternators, and helping me swap engines.
I really didn't care if they ever did any of these things again. I just wanted them to know enough to avoid getting screwed by less-than-reputable repair shops.
When my daughter went into the Army, she became the go-to person for motor vehicle advice and guidance. Simply put, she knew more about motor vehicles than most of her fellow soldiers. (She has stories to tell about some of the stupid things she saw.)
I've already mentioned her '59 Plymouth Savoy resto-mod project. I don't necessarily agree with her plans to use a 383 cu. in. big block in it but it's her project so I try to keep my mouth shut. The Savoy has a lightweight body and chassis and the 383 has enough power to turn it into one helluva rocket.
(Keeping my mouth shut is made a lot easier by the fact we're currently mad at each other and not talking.)
Her efforts on that project are much more difficult because she's 100% disabled and raising two kids. (Three if you count her recently acquired third husband.)
My son didn't pay much attention to those lessons and he kind of regrets it now that he's older. He now has to go to his sister, or me when he build up the nerve. He knows I know exactly why the engine in his wife's Subaru blew up and realizes he's partially responsible. They both managed to "step in it" big time, which is why I withdrew my offer to help them find a replacement engine and install it. (He's still married to his first wife so he has, in many respects, been reasonably successful.)
