Now, you can relive the joy of lying under a van in a car park in the pouring rain at 10pm, but from the warmth and comfort of your own lounge and age 10+. Haynes are making model engines...
I haven't had the pleasure of playing with the Haynes kits yet, but at £36.99 for an Internal Combustion Engine and £54.99rrp for an over 250 piece, fully functional motorised Petrol V8 with its own mini Haynes Manual, it's got to be a fair price.
I doubt there's a car owner alive who has never heard of the Haynes manual, and likely you've also had to delve in to find out exactly what that light means or how to fill the washer bottle, or, if you also had the pleasure of a VW T25 Campervan like mine, how to replace a flange seal and top up the gearbox oil. I didn't realise there was a Haynes for jet engines though...
The sets are understandably suitable for age 10+ because they are going to be complicated. This is genuine engineering and the build will teach your child more about how cars work than most adults with modern cars ever learn. These are real skills that will be useful for life.
Here's a 1 minute video look at what you get in the kit and what it does...
The Haynes Build Your Own sets are available to buy now - currently available and selling out fast in Argos, Menkind and Amazon (*aff) example prices V8 Engine rrp £54.99 and Internal Combustion Engine rrp £34.99.
Wind Designs and Haynes have offered one of my readers their very own Haynes V8 model worth £49.99rrp as a sweepstake giveaway prize.
For your chance to be drawn as the random winner, enter using the gleam form below. No entry is mandatory and if you can't comment then you can just comment on my Facebook page instead. I won't use your details for anything other than drawing a random winner, checking the entry and contacting them.
The giveaway will end at midnight Sunday 13th January. Open to UK entrants only, full terms and conditions are at the bottom of the Gleam form. If you are new to Gleam there's a link to help on my Giveaways page...
Haynes Build Your Own V8 Engine Giveaway (age 10+)
I will be receiving my own V8 Engine model from Haynes for review when they are in stock, watch out for my review next year! Amazon links are affiliate because I was not paid for the time this has taken and toys alone cannot keep the website running. I earn a few pence every time you order, but you don't pay a penny more. One day I even hope to earn enough commission to cash out.
not too good, i can do basics - change a tyre, top up the oil/water & jumpstart my car....not much more though, def rely on hubby too much!
ReplyDeleteI don't have a clue when it comes to mechanics - I only ever put petrol in my car and wash it, My dad checks it over every now and again!
ReplyDeletei have changed a prop-shaft this was many years ago when vehicles were much more basic and simple
ReplyDeleteI am a truck mechanic so I've had up to 16 litre diesel engines totally to pieces many times.
ReplyDeleteI have had my grandson taking lawn mower engines apart since he was 13 & he has just started college studying motor vehicle engineering.
I'm pretty useless but I did manage to change the oil regularly and the tyre once my car. Messy.
ReplyDeleteBasically I do tyres. I used to do more but modern cars are complicated .
ReplyDeletePretty basic but my dad did teach me how to change a tyre and how to put water and screen wash in, and to check oil
ReplyDeleteI've stripped an engine. But stopped before I rebuilt it LOL
ReplyDeleteAbsolute beginner I'm afraid about as much as I have done is change the Battery
ReplyDeleteI have no clue. I leave it to my husband x
ReplyDeleteerrrm....no. unblocking drains I can do, painting and decorating and some minor DIY yes. Mechanics...never had to try!
ReplyDeleteI can manage the basics but my husband is pretty good so I have "assisted" with all sorts of repairs and jobs. Carrie H.
ReplyDeleteI am useless although took a car maintenance course once
ReplyDeleteMy mechanics skill level is nil. I can just about top up the oil/water.
ReplyDeleteI am terrible, I can change windscreen wipers and tyres. I get my partner to do the complicated things ;)
ReplyDeleteHonestly i have no experience i avoid doing stuff like that so i don't make it worse!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I'm not very mechanically minded, so all I manage is the basics, tyre pressures, windscreen washer top-ups.. my partner is brilliant at it though!
ReplyDeleteI'm useless but my hubby is a car mechanic and my son loves learning from him. He would love this kit as loves building things
ReplyDeleteIt's not one of my strong points, I can do the very basics but that's about it!
ReplyDeleteI have never tried so don't think I would be very good but my son loves things that involve seeing how things work etc so would be great for him!
ReplyDeletePretty low! I wouldn't trust myself to not make things worse haha
ReplyDeleteI would say I'm a novice. Though i am quite good at following instructions...
ReplyDeleteI'm useless, but luckily I have a boyfriend who is amazing and fixes my car for me!
ReplyDeletei used to be able to put oil in my engine and thats about it
ReplyDeleteChange Oil / Belt
ReplyDeleteNo skills whatsoever my brother how would love this he likes to build x
ReplyDeleteMy mechanics knowledge is zero so this would be educational for me as well as my grandson, the most adventurous thing I have done with an engine is open the bonnet!
ReplyDeleteNot good especially since my dad was a mechanic! I know how to check water, oil etc but that's about it. My son would love this prize though as he is currently learning car mechanics with my dad
ReplyDeleteI am a bit of a beginner but would love to have a go
ReplyDeleteThe most complicated thing I’ve done involving an engine is call the AA
ReplyDeletethats what i did a mechanic so i am used to working on engines
ReplyDeleteMy husband had to fit a super charger to a 3 litre V6 (means nothing to me
ReplyDelete) but he said it was not easy!
Mechanics skill level zero - I had my dad to do it and now also my eldest son. On the same note, I have never even touched an engine. My youngest son also wants to be a mechanic, so would love this.
ReplyDeleteHmmm, I can change oil, check tyres, put air in the tyres but that's about it!
ReplyDeleteO points for skill 5 for effort - I can turn my hand to anything when necessary - I'm a plumber today
ReplyDeletebut fun to learn how engines work
ReplyDeleteMight tackle this before having a go for real.
ReplyDeleteI'm rubbish at this so I'd gift it to my partner
ReplyDeleteI have no mechanical skills but would have loved the chance to learn had I been given the opportunity
ReplyDeleteI’m an engineer, but work more on the calculations side than the physical side - although I can do a bit if I put my mind to it (changing parts etc.) and love learning new things!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely zero
ReplyDeleteI've changed a tyre! Go me!! Crap at everything else apart from driving lol!!
ReplyDeleteAh, the joys of a haynes manual. Years ago, I had a moped which was begining to chug, so I invested in a manual.
ReplyDeleteSpent 2 days stripping the the thing, cleaning it, de coking, and putting it back together. I never did find out where the extra bits I had left over came from, but it worked so I didn't worry about it.
I have never worked in an engine before. I have zero mechanical skills.
ReplyDeleteBelow zero, but my son would nail this and would love it
ReplyDeleteWhat is your mechanics skill level? What's the most complicated thing you've ever done with a vehicle engine?
ReplyDeletein a word . . . nil, l can follow a knitting pattern though
I can't operate machinery these days due to neuropathy but I was a keen Meccano fan.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I have managed to build an engine before, but my eldest would enjoy the challenge of this! x
ReplyDeleteMargaret Clarkson
ReplyDeleteI am not at all mechanically minded but my daughter is more so.
I know absolutely nothing about mechanics but my son and husband are both very interested.
ReplyDeleteI can chwck basics, but thats my limit
ReplyDeleteProbably above average, but that was before the computers too over a lot of the timing, fuel flow and whatever else now. When i was younger i helped my dad swap engines and change most parts of a car :)
ReplyDeleteI can turn a key and top up the wayer and air pressure and that is it. I wish I knew more to save garage costs
ReplyDeleteBasic level! But I enjoy making things with my son!
ReplyDeleteLevel Zero ... I just know the basics.
ReplyDeleteI am totally useless, but my husband is really good and can service cars etc. My hubby would love an engine to teach our 10 year old son!
ReplyDeleteI'm no good at this type of thing so I would be gifting this to my husband as he loves anything to do with mechanics and models
ReplyDeleteExtremely basic
ReplyDeleteI have zero mechanical knowledge, my husband would love this
ReplyDeleteComplete strip and rebuild, I was trained as an aero engine fitter in the Royal Air Force and then became a Flight Engineer on aircraft, flying for over 30 years.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately not a lot I have checked the oil and filled the water bottle but that is it.
ReplyDeleteReally really rubbish, I can change a light bulb
ReplyDeleteI have done basic servicing things, changed oil filters etc
ReplyDeleteI am useless. Can just check oil, water and tyres
ReplyDeletebe fun to achieve something new with my son
ReplyDeleteAbout zero - but this would be great for my friends boy
ReplyDeleteMy mechanics level is probably in minus numbers but I did open the car bonnet once for the AA man!
ReplyDeleteI can do the basics but that's all
ReplyDeleteI can do absolutely nothing with an engine, I know how to open the bonnet and that is it.
ReplyDeleteI'm a complete beginner so this would be a fun project to do with my godson
ReplyDeletenot much, I can do the basic's, any thing else I need help. this would be fun to do has it would be a project that me and hubby could do together
ReplyDeletelol erm put oil in it that's about as far as my technical skill goes xx
ReplyDeleteI have designed & fitted a bracket to exhaust that was broken.
ReplyDeleteI'm a complete beginner.. I change the oil or charge a battery but that's it. Hopefully this will help me learn something
ReplyDeleteMy level is zero, but I would love to have a try at this
ReplyDeletehaven't the foggiest idea about mechanical stuff hoping my son would teach me
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty clueless although my son knows how an engine works thanks to my husband!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely shocking at mechanical anything !!
ReplyDeleteAmazing prize! Lovely
ReplyDeletePretty much zero. I can top up the oil and that's about it!
ReplyDeleteI’m not very good, can turn a key in an engine!
ReplyDeleteI have no knowledge what so ever but my Grandson is mechanically minded so this is something we could do together
ReplyDeleteI’m not a master mechanic but this would great to do! I’d definitely like to give it a go with my daughter and her friends! Group Project! My daughter absolutely loves cars everyone calls her a mini petrolhead lol she is great at doing things and projects!
ReplyDeleteI'm not very good but did learn how to take the distributor cap off my old car and dry it after it had been through a flood
ReplyDeleteAbsolute basic (Topping up oil, adding coolant, topping up water etc), thats what I got married for!
ReplyDeleteI'm very skilled - used to rebuild motorbikes
ReplyDeleteHubby was engineer and would love this.
ReplyDeleteLove to make with my boy.
ReplyDeleteAbsolute beginner, looks really interesting.
ReplyDeleteI can't do anything but my partner knows a bit.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty rubbish with mechanics, fixed my passenger side electric window once. My son though is fascinated with mechanics and he'd absolutely love this
ReplyDeletemy skill level is zero ha ha
ReplyDeleteMy skill level is virtually zero - I can check my oil and fill up the screenwash.
ReplyDeleteStrpped and rebuilt an engine for a MkI Escort
ReplyDeleteI don't know a thing about mechanics, I leave all that to my Husband x
ReplyDeleteZero ;D
ReplyDeleteI'm terrible at anything to do with the engine other than topping up screen liquid and checking the oil level.
ReplyDeleteI've never done anything with an engine, my husband's a mechanic so he does everything.
ReplyDeleteI leave engines to the experts but i can whack a new tyre on
ReplyDeletewell...lets put it this way - I celebrated with a bottle of wine when I managed to successfully change my windscreen wipers...so I am going to say my skill level is non-existent
ReplyDeleteI am a beginner, but would love to learn x
ReplyDeleteI am not mechanical at all. I can add screen wash and check the oil... that's about it! My other half however, he loves tinkering with engines and would LOVE this amazing prize!
ReplyDeleteI am rubbish at engineering but my husband is an aircraft engineer and my son loves building computers etc
ReplyDeleteI know how to check oil, water and tyres but I'm afraid that's it! I really should learn! Linda Ford
ReplyDeleteI pumped my car tyre up and was do pleased with myself but wen I got up next morning the tyre was flat!
ReplyDeletecheck the oil
ReplyDeletePretty low, mechanics is not really my thing. I am not good with my hands, I leave that to my teenage son or my partner.
ReplyDeleteI haven't got the foggiest about anything mechanical ❤
ReplyDeleteDeffo more basic but I'm always up for learning!
ReplyDeletemy skill level is minimal i know how to fill oil and such but thats it would love to learn more :) if the hubby dont wanna steal it
ReplyDeleteI have zero mechanical skill! I would love to learn though to be more handy around the place
ReplyDeleteNot very good with engines, although they are very interesting! I like the big Victorian machines in museums! The only techy stuff I can do is with my bike. -Kat C
ReplyDeleteNot good but I love having a go
ReplyDeleteYears ago I changed a clutch with some help!
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't claim any skill level but I was very pleased with myself when I cut out & replaced a leaking section of radiator hose :-)
ReplyDeletegrandkids would love this.
ReplyDeletei can change a light bulb
ReplyDeletemine is nil :(
ReplyDeleteI am a beginner; but really love to build and fix things.
ReplyDeleteThis my son and his Dad's favourite activity, making model cars together. The V8 is top of their wishlist :)
ReplyDeleteI have next to no experience with motors; the most I've done is give some parts a quick clean.
ReplyDeleteI’m not very good at anything mechanical however I love to try things and learn
ReplyDeleteI have had no screenwash in my car for about 2 weeks. ...That's how good I am with cars ....hoping my partner (the mechanic ) will realise and do it off his own back so I don't have to admit I have no clue 😂
ReplyDeleteYes please!
ReplyDeleteThis takes me back!! Yes please
ReplyDeleteMy level is beginner. I have never done anything with an engine
ReplyDelete