March 2017 Newsletter

February 20, 2017

For the full newsletter click here, or click the image below. If you’re just interested in one topic, click the image or “read more” link next to the topic of choice, and you’ll be taken directly to that part of the newsletter on EricTheCarGuy.com.

If you’re reading this on the website, you’re already reading the full newsletter. Keep going, you’re doing great!

Past newsletters and the ETCG Blog can be found here. Those are great too!

Thanks for reading.

So Much To Do, So Little Time

As you’ll see in this month’s newsletter, mostly in how short it is compared to past newsletters, this is the theme for the month. Honestly, it’s something I struggle with every month, if not every day working as EricTheCarGuy.

Good thing I love doing this.

Here’s a rundown of my todo list for the next couple of months.

1. Finish the Fairmont!
2. Get Fixing it Forward off the ground and start helping needy people with their repairs.
3. Edit as much video as possible to make time for travel.
4. Keep up with email and social media.
5. Write the March newsletter. (I can cross this one off when I’m done) 🙂
6. Work on new branding for ETCG and ETCG1.
7. Fix cars that come into the shop.
8. Travel to Georgia for Caffeine and Octane (more on that later)
9. Find a new tool box.
10. Remember whatever it is you forgot to remind yourself of in this list.

Lets see what we can do to at least cross off the newsletter writing.

ETCG Looking for a New Tool Box

I’ve been working out of the one I have now for the past 18 years or so. It has certainly served me well.

Thing is, my tools are overflowing in this box despite me cleaning out some of the old tools I wasn’t using, removing and mounting some tools above my workbench, and getting an entirely new shelving system to organize the stuff that will no longer fit into the toolbox.

Also, and this is no small thing, the drawers are not roller drawers. As a consequence, the drawers have become very hard to open and close, especially in the winter when the lube gets cold. The worst is the bottom drawer where I keep all my air tools. It’s the heaviest of them all and as a result, the hardest to use.

Past due, hardly begins to describe the situation.

I’ve always wanted a Macsimizer. I like the workbench type layout and also the casters. Those are at the top of the price range new, but you can find some good deals on a used one from time to time.

I’ve already reached out to Mac to see if I can work a deal with them. I’m still waiting on a response.

Even if Mac doesn’t come through, there are still plenty of options to explore as many of you have posted in the comments of the video I mentioned.

The truth is, I’m enjoying reading your comments and suggestions to the video I mentioned. It’s great to have so many suggestions to choose from.

I’ll be sure to keep you posted on how this works out, and make a video(s) of the outcome.

The #FairmontProject

I’ve made a lot of progress on the car in the past month. More than I have in some time and I’m once again excited about the build.

I’ve removed the engine, transmission, and the old front suspension and K member.

I’ve installed and squared the new K member. Squaring the K member is something I didn’t do with the original K member, and I should have.

I made a video of the process and I’m going to say it’s probably one of the most important videos in the series. So much so, I’m considering fast tracking it to put it out to you sooner. Making sure your vehicle is square is critical to any build. The video mentioned outlines this process.

I was also able to install the new front lower control arms and coil overs. Thing is, the front tires are now hitting the new coil overs. I believe I have a solution. I’ve already ordered a set of 1/4” spacers to go behind the front wheels. I’m hoping the 1/4” will give me the tire clearance I need. I’ll find out when the parts come in.

When installing the new K member, I inserted 1/2” shims under the mounts. This dropped the engine down by the same amount. I’m happy to report that this has solved my hood clearance issues!

I still need to sort out the steering. I had trouble mounting the new power steering rack because of some issues with the spacers for the rack. I’m working that out with Maximum Motorsports now.

I also ordered a set of accessory mounts from CVF Racing. All they do is accessories and accessory mounting. I was able to find just what I needed and I’ll be able to run my AC again!

I’ve also sorted out what I want to do with the fuel system. I’ll be running steel braided line for the entire system with -8an fittings. I’ll also be using a custom made fuel cell in the trunk. I’ll be making a video of how I plan to sort out the custom fuel cell so I can share the process with you.

By the time I’m done, I’ll have a track legal fuel system that should be able to feed #DarkMatterPikachu’s appetite.

I’m also working on a roll bar. I’m trying to sort out if I can use one made for a Mustang. There might be some fitment issues because my Fairmont has a wheelbase that’s 4” longer than a Mustang. I’d like to sort that out before I pull the trigger on that. I’d hate to come up ‘short’.

Fixing it Forward

This has been slow going for a couple of reasons. The first is that I want to finish the #FairmontProject. If I don’t, I’m worried that it will never be finished. I have a feeling that once I get started with FiF, I won’t have much time for anything else. This is the main reason I’m on an all out push to get the Fairmont done in the next couple of months.

The second reason is the paperwork. Not only is it taking forever to get it put together, I also have to wait for it to be processed and approved by the government.

So for now it’s an all out push to get the #FairmontProject done while the paperwork processes.

If you’d like to learn more, or donate to the Fixing it Forward GoFundMe, click here.

Website Updates

I’ve added new images to some of the backgrounds on the website. I’m really liking the new look. You can check them out by visiting EricTheCarGuy.com.

My developer, Wyatt Talley, has also finished optimizing the FAQ pages to make them easier to navigate and use.

We’ve also added a feedback option you can access from any page of the site. Just click on the little red face in the bottom right corner. We’d love to get your input on the site and how we can make it better.

Cameraman Brian’s Mom Passed Away

On February 12, 2017 Cameraman Brian’s mom passed away. She hadn’t been well for the past year. She passed peacefully in the early morning and is no longer suffering.

As a result, Brian is taking some time off.

I want to personally thank everyone that has expressed condolences. I know Brian appreciates it as well.

Caffeine and Octane at the Beach

I’ll be heading to this event on Jekyll Island GA in mid March. I’ll be doing this trip in partnership with Metal Rescue.

I’ve never been to a car show on an island before. Keep an eye on my social media for details and pics of the trip around March 17.

Premium Member News

Premium Members got 3 exclusive videos last month.

Those videos were, “1998 Ford Contour Alternator Replacement & Trans Line Repair (Extended Version) #FixingItForward”, “Air Compressor Modifications (Exclusive Video)”, and “#Fairmont Project Update 2/13/2017 (Exclusive Video)”.

The 1998 Ford Contour video contains an additional repair that I did to the car for a transmission leak.

I’ve had the compressor upgrade video in the cue for a while. About a year actually. I finally got the chance to do the edit. My air system has been much happier since the upgrade, and is working flawlessly since.

The #FairmontProject update is the most complete to date. It has a lot more detail than what you’ve seen in this newsletter. If you’re interested, you should check it out.

Premium Members get up to 4 exclusive videos per month. They also get additional perks on the website, and they help support the site with all of it’s useful, free, repair content.

Details on the new Premium Memberships here.

In Closing

This newsletter may turn out a little shorter than those in the past. For those of you that like the long reads I apologize. It’s just been very busy this month. February always is because it’s a short month. I realize it’s only a couple of days, but it seems to make a difference.

Despite that, the message remains. I appreciate each and every one of you. Especially those of you that read the newsletters. I feel you are the ‘core’ supporters of what I do and as such, I owe you the most.

Let’s not make this about who owes who though. Instead, let’s focus on the positive things both past and present. Things like, making educational and entertaining repair videos. Speaking of which, I need to get on those. I have miles of footage to edit before I sleep.

Now I need to check and see if I forgot to add anything to my todo list. Thanks for reading.

Latest videos below.

Be safe Have fun

Stay Dirty ETCG

Related Videos:

Video Title: March 2017 Newsletter -EricTheCarGuy Video Description: Welcome to the EricTheCarGuy March 2017 Newsletter. Eric will summarize what hehas done in the last year and what we can look forward to the future of EricTheCarGuy! Thumbnail: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/images/newsletter/March/2017/March-2017-Newsletter-Placeholder-Large-850.jpg