McPherson College Offering One Week Workshops for Collector Car Hobbyists and Restorers.

Enrollment in each automotive restoration workshop is limited so all participants benefit from personal attention with ample time on equipment. With this one-on-one approach, anyone at any skill level can increase their restoration expertise.

Workshops include valuable information on locating tools, materials, and parts for restoration projects. Workshop participants are encouraged to bring parts or components from personal restoration projects to work on or can learn on Institute vehicles or parts.

The final course offerings are currently being finalized and participants will have a number of informative and enjoyable workshops to choose from.

Engine Rebabbitting is an in-depth workshop that focuses on the process of rebuilding an engine with babbitted bearings. Using Ford Model T or Model A engines, the workshop will cover the removal of old Babbitt, casting new bearings, and line boring bearings in the engine block.

Vintage Engine Rebuilding covers the processes involved in restoring a collector car engine, including measuring tolerances, set-up of equipment for engine machining, valve and crankshaft grinding, cylinder honing, and babbitting and line boring.

The workshop on Body Work Using Lead, covers the traditional craft of leading body panels. The workshop will address surface preparation, tinning, applying the lead, shaping and smoothing techniques, selection and adjustment of spray painting equipment, and an overview of primer and paint application.

A related workshop, Body Work Using Plastic Fillers, covers the proper use of plastic fillers and will address the selection of fillers, how to use the correct tools to apply and smooth fillers, and the same paint-related topics as above.

Body Panel Fabrication skills taught will encompass the use of the English wheel, using the sandbag technique to form panels, welding, stretching and shrinking panels, and metal finishing.

The Upholstery and Trim workshop will teach students both to sew from scratch and to select and install an interior kit. Techniques include upholstery basics, tool techniques, use of commercial sewing machines, material choices for durability and authenticity, and choosing a pre-made kit.

Carburetion, Ignition, and Tune-Up covers fuel and ignition system basics, set-up and adjustment of single and multiple carburetor systems, tuning vintage engines, rebuilding and setting up distributors, and use of diagnostic equipment.

In the Finishing and Painting workshop, students will learn selection and adjustment of spray painting equipment, masking techniques, and primer and paint application.

The Wood Structure Restoration workshop covers the repair or fabrication of wooden body structures and components, including selection of wood, duplication of parts from originals or patterns, deciding whether to repair or replace, and finishing techniques. Participants will learn by working on a Ford Model A station wagon or similar vehicle.

Beautiful woodgraining can be performed with a basic set of tools and paints. The Woodgraining workshop will cover surface preparation, application of base and accent paint coats, and the use of woodgraining combs. Participants will have the opportunity to work on a dash or trim parts from their own car.

McPherson College Institute workshops have received enthusiastic reviews by participants. Many people have returned to take additional classes and one participant described the experience as “the best week of my life.”

The cost of each workshop is $495. During the summer Institute session, room and board is available on the McPherson College campus for $200 per session.

The January workshops, January 6-10, 2003, offered are:

For more information on McPherson Institute automotive restoration workshops, contact Robert Vaughn by phone 620-241-0731 ext. 1233 or e-mail restoration@mcpherson.edu