April 2016 Newsletter

3/23/2016

Welcome to the ETCG April 2016 Newsletter. Here’s how it works.

If you’re reading the email version of this newsletter, it’s not the full version. This version has been trimmed down to just the main topics. Just click on an image, or ‘read more’ link, and it will take you directly to the topic of choice on my website where the full newsletter is displayed. If you want to read the full newsletter, and you absolutely do, click here.

Past newsletters and the ETCG Blog can be found here. (those are good too.)

Thanks for reading!

A Successful Shoot With Pull-a-Part

I had an awesome time in Atlanta GA with Pull-a-Part last month. We shot several videos in the 4 days we worked, 10 total. Some of these cover what it’s like to visit a Pull-a-Part. Others are specific pulls of parts on vehicles in the yard. I also shot videos on how to supply power to different components, like power windows, while you’re at the yard. I also shot one on what to look for in a salvage yard engine or transmission.

Erik Tande from Velosity Labs was my cameraman. He was a lot of fun to work with and a great guy. He has some great videos on his channel. You should check it out.

Don’t worry, cameraman Brian is still working with me, he just couldn’t make this trip due to other obligations.

I hope to get to editing these videos soon. I still have to finish my Nokian Tire Experience video first. Once that’s done, I plan to turn my attention to the Pull-a-Part videos.

Nokian Tire Experience Blog

Speaking of Nokian tires, I published a blog about my experiences last month. Here’s a link.

Finland seems like a distant dream now. I’m happy to have the videos and pictures or I still wouldn’t believe it actually happened.

Fixing it Forward

Although the project is still on hold for new participants, last month I got to work on a couple of the vehicles featured earlier the series.

First, Barbara’s van got towed in. I know, I know, relax.

It needed a starter. In addition to replacing that, I also installed a new ignition switch. Just the electrical portion. If you remember from one of the videos, it looked like that was going to be an issue so I decided to replace it while I had the opportunity. It was very affordable at $40.

Barbara loves driving the van. She says it has a very smooth ride. I wish I could say I also love the van, but I can’t. Perhaps that’s a bit harsh. It was the first vehicle in the Fixing it Forward series after all.

However, it seems that the van a bit past it’s prime. It’s a shame really. With all the work I did I had hoped it would last at least a couple more years. Likely it will. Maybe I’m just tired of working on it. Thing is, the perfectionist in me won’t let me, let it, die.

In fact, it’s issues like this that have prompted me to rethink Fixing it Forward going forward. I want to make sure that I can help people like Barbara with their automotive issues, but I also need to set limitations on what vehicles I’ll take in, and what work gets performed. Not to mention what happens after the work is done.

Don’t get me wrong, Barbara is VERY appreciative of the work that’s been done. In fact, she doesn’t even want to tell me when there’s a problem. I have to interrogate her to give up any problems it might be having.

Please don’t think she’s taking advantage of the program in the slightest. Barbara is a kind and giving person. She uses the van in part for her job with Goodwill, driving people around who don’t otherwise have transportation. The fact is, Barbara has been giving back longer than Fixing it Forward has been in existence. It’s people like Barbara that inspired me to try something like Fixing it Forward in the first place.

My concern is that I want to be sure I’m spending the Fixing it Forward donor money wisely. I appreciate each and every donation and want to be sure that it goes where it’s needed. I take that responsibility very seriously. Hence the reason I’m rethinking the scope of the program.

I’m also working on turning Fixing it Forward into a non-profit. I’m hoping to get that off the ground before the end of the year. Once that’s complete, I’m hoping to take the program into a whole new direction and help even more people in the process.

The second Fixing it Forward vehicle I saw last month was Jerry Hall’s 2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R. I requested this car come back in so that I could replace the left lower control arm and the air tube that goes from the air filter to the engine.

The reason I did this was once again to do right by the donors to Fixing it Forward.

Many people disagreed with me welding the ball joint into the control arm on this car. Some also took exception to the ‘fix’ I did on the air tube. Negative comments don’t really bother me. It’s part of the job when you do what I do.

I just didn’t want the donors to the program to worry that their money wasn’t being spent wisely. We had the money, so I purchased the parts and installed them yesterday. You’ll see their installation in a future video.

With that said, I shot a Premium Member video about what it took to remove my welded ball joint. I’m quite proud of the fact that it took a lot more to remove my welded ball joint than it did the original pressed in one. There’s a link to that video below in the Premium Member News section.

If you’d like to donate to future Fixing it Forward projects, click here. 100% of the proceeds to to the project and it’s participants.

The Fairmont Project

“When are we going to see some Fairmont videos Eric?!!”

I’m hearing that a lot lately. Believe me, no one wants to work on the Fairmont more than me. I’ve waited more than 25 years to build a car like this, you’ve only been waiting a couple of years.

I now have just about all the parts needed for the differential build. The remaining parts are ordered and being shipped as I type this.

I also spoke with the good people at Hensels Gearage today. They’re a shop in Massillon OH that strictly deals in rear end rebuilds. Experts on the subject if you will.

I was picking their brains about what to do with the C clip eliminators I ordered. They suggested I not use them. I’ve decided I’m going to take their advice on that. It seems they really aren’t meant for the street and many have also pointed out that they create the potential for leaks. Not to mention these really won’t work with the disc brake set up I’ve ordered. So it’s standard bearings and seals instead.

I also asked them about welding the axle tubes to the center section of the differential. This is commonly done to add strength and prevent leaks. Some housings are known for a factory defect in this area. They didn’t seem to think that was necessary for a street car. If I can’t find any leaks in this area, I’m going to take their advice on that as well and not worry about the welds.

I have all the parts needed to finish the T-5 transmission. I’ll be shooting videos on how I intend to repair the threads in the stripped bolt holes, as well as the installation of the new 2nd gear and shift fork.

I’ve also found a set of killer gauges from SpeedHut.com. It’s bitter sweet because I’ve gone through all the trouble and math to figure out exactly what size speedometer gear I’m going to need run in my transmission. That information is no longer relevant. SpeedHut gauges use GPS for the speedometer.

In addition, because I’m using these gauges, I won’t have to make any custom mounting in order to run all the gauges I’m looking to use. They make a very compact set and I won’t have to hack my dash to pieces, or make a completely custom dash plate to get them to work.

I’ll admit that I’ve gone a bit nutty over these gauges. I even have pictures of them on my desktop. You should go to their website and just play with the color and graphic choices. I guarantee you’ll waste at least a half hour before you figure out you need to get back to work.

I’m also working on the last items needed for the engine rebuild. Mostly I’m trying to get hold of the machine shop I was talking with a couple of months ago. Good machine shops are hard to find and when you do, they’re usually very busy.

There’ll be other things I’m going to need along the way as well that I haven’t thought of yet. Right now, I have the broad strokes covered. Brian is also back in action.

Once we get past the work that’s been scheduled, I hope to dive in and start shooting Fairmont videos. I’m not sure if I’m going to start with the engine tear down, the T-5 transmission update, or start on the differential videos.

One thing I’d like to mention. Last month I talked about having the car running by the ‘Meet Up’. I’m still shooting for that target, but looking at how much time there is between now and then, I wonder if I’ll be able to pull that off…

2016 5th Annual ‘Meet Up’

Last month I announced the date for this years ‘Meet Up’ event, July 16, 2016. I ask that all those interested in attended RSVP at this link. Details about the event can also be found at that same link.

I can’t believe I’ve been doing this for 5 years. It will be a good time. Hope to see you there.

Gift Card Granny

Earlier this month I was contacted by a company that sells automotive gift cards for less than face value, Gift Card Granny. I admit I was skeptical at first, but I checked them out and it’s legit.

You can purchase gift cards to your favorite auto parts store for less than face value. It’s like using your coupons before you go to the store.

They do other gift cards as well. Here’s some of the auto part store cards you might have interest in.

Advance Auto Parts : http://www.giftcardgranny.com/buy-gift-cards/advance-auto-parts/

Jiffy Lube: http://www.giftcardgranny.com/buy-gift-cards/jiffy-lube/

Pep Boys: http://www.giftcardgranny.com/buy-gift-cards/pep-boys/

Premium Member News

Premium Members got 3 exclusive videos last month. “2003 Nissan 2.5L Water Pump Replacement Fixing it Forward (Extended/Exclusive Video)”, “Do Steel Braided Brake Lines Make Your Car Stop Better? (Extended Version)” and “What Did it Take To Remove My Welded Ball Joint? (Exclusive Video)”.

I’ve been working on additional exclusive content as well as considering offering some ETCG1 and ETCG videos that never got published for one reason or another. I shoot a lot of videos. Not all of them actually get posted, or edited for that matter. There are many reasons for this. Sometimes the video no longer applies or is outdated by the time I go to post it. Or, I just didn’t like it.

Either way, I’m considering incorporating some of these videos into the Premium Member line up. If you’re a Premium Member and want to see these videos, hit me up on the Premium Member forum and let me know.

I’m happy to report that there have been a lot less reported issues with our video hosing company Streaming Media Hosting. The videos seem to be playing back for the majority of members. If you have any issues with video playback, please send an email to David Sanchez and CC support@EricTheCarGuy.com.

Premium Members get up to 4 exclusive videos per month in addition to early releases of all ETCG and ETCG1 videos. They also get $2.00 discounts on VManuals. Memberships are now $4.99 per month and $14.99 per year. To get more info and sign up, click here.

In Closing

These months are flying by. Before I know it, it’ll be fall and I wonder how it happened so fast. By that time I hope I’m tearing up the back roads in the Fairmont. That would be awesome. I’ve been dreaming of that for a very long time. I can’t wait to get started.

It’s hard to believe I’ve been doing this ETCG thing for more than 7 years now, but I have. I know I often say this is the best job ever and I mean it. I love making videos. I love helping people, and I love what I do now. What more could a growing boy ask for?

As always, thank you so much for reading this newsletter. I appreciate each and every eyeball.

Latest videos below.

Be safe
Have fun
Stay Dirty

ETCG

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