SkillPaks and Course Guide

Immediately after you enroll in the Foley-Belsaw Institute’s Outdoor Power Equipment Engine Repair & Service Career Program, you will receive your first SkillPak.  Each SkillPak contains all the course material you need to successfully complete each lesson.

Your SkillPaks are written by industry experts and professional Outdoor Power Equipment engine technicians who understand the business, and what it takes to be successful.

SkillPaks will arrive as needed, each containing easy-to-understand, step-by-step lessons.  At the end of each lesson, you will find an exam or homework assignment.  Detailed instructions mean that each lesson assignment is easy to follow and complete. Exams contain 10 questions and you can always double check the lesson material prior to answering an exam question.  This means you always have the opportunity to review as you go.

After you have completed the final lesson in each SkillPak, you will send in the exam answer sheets and/or lesson cards to your instructor.  Your instructor will check your work and issue a grade.  Once we have received your completed SkillPak, we will send you the next.  In this way, you are always progressing toward success.

The Foley-Belsaw Professional Outdoor Power Equipment Engine Repair & Service Career Program consists of 13 SkillPaks and 52 lessons:

SkillPak 1
Lesson 1          Principles and Terms Relating to Simple Machines
Lesson 2          Principles and Terms Relating to Outdoor Power Equipment Engines
Lesson 3          Introduction to Outdoor Power Equipment Engine Service
Lesson 4          Two- and Four-Cycle Basic Principles

SkillPak 2
Lesson 5          Air Cleaners and Filters
Lesson 6          Carburetion
Lesson 7          Float Carburetion Principles
Lesson 8          Drawings, Part Numbers, and Float Carburetion Repair

SkillPak3
Lesson 9          Diaphragm, Suction Lift, and Automatic Carburetors
Lesson 10        Carburetor Cleaning and Adjustments  
Lesson 11        Two- and Four-Cycle Fuel
Lesson 12        Fuel Pumps

SkillPak 4
Lesson 13        Governors
Lesson 14        Manual Starters
Lesson 15        Spring Starters
Lesson 16        Trouble Shooting Starters

SkillPak 5
Lesson 17        Electricity
Lesson 18        Electric Starters
Lesson 19        Electric Starter Drives
Lesson 20        Battery and Starter Circuits

SkillPak 6
Lesson 21        Batteries
Lesson 22        Magneto Principles
Lesson 23        Electrical Distribution and Solid State Ignition
Lesson 24        Spark Plugs

SkillPak 7
Lesson 25        The Magneto and Flywheel
Lesson 26        Breaker Points
Lesson 27        Ignition Service
Lesson 28        Magneto Timing

SkillPak 8
Lesson 29        Two- and Four-Cycle Valve Action
Lesson 30        Four Cycle Valve Assembly
Lesson 31        Four Cycle Timing and Compression Test
Lesson 32        Cylinder head and Valves

SkillPak 9
Lesson 33        Valve Repair
Lesson 34        Piston and Rod Removal
Lesson 35        Installing Rod Bearings, Rings and Pin
Lesson 36        Major Overhaul and Short Block

SkillPak 10
Lesson 37        Lubrication and Breathers
Lesson 38        Parts Catalog and Trouble Shooting
Lesson 39        Basic Physics and Characteristics of Fluids
Lesson 40        Fluid Lines and Fittings

SkillPak 11
Lesson 41        Engine Oil Grades and Classifications
Lesson 42        Characteristics and Properties of Modern Gasoline
Lesson 43        Gasohol and 2-Stroke Engines
Lesson 44        Corrosion – Types, Causes, and Control

SkillPak 12
Lesson 45        Threaded Fastener Identification
Lesson 46        Repairing Damaged Threads
Lesson 47        Measuring Tools and Instruments
Lesson 48        Measurement Systems Conversion

SkillPak 13
Lesson 49        Engine Disassembly
Lesson 50        Engine Assembly
Lesson 51        Carburetor Disassembly and Reassembly
Lesson 52        Operating a Service Business