May 2017 Newsletter
April 24, 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 and you’ll be taken directly to that part of the newsletter on EricTheCarGuy.com.
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Past newsletters and the ETCG Blog can be found here.
Changes Coming to ETCG
During the month of April, I posted a video to my ETCG1 channel outlining some of the issues I’ve been having with views on my EricTheCarGuy YouTube channel. Here’s a link to that video.
In it, I talk about some of the changes to the YouTube algorithm that have helped contribute to my declining views. Mostly in the form of not informing my subscribers when I post a new video. YouTube has also had some recent issues with its advertisers and as a result revenue is down for YouTube across the board.
Part of this is my fault for not reminding my subscribers to hit the little ‘bell’ so that they are notified when I post a new video.
I also suspected that the change in format from auto repair to the #FairmontProject had effected views as well. Many of you seem to agree that this has also contributed to the decline.
Since posting that video I’ve done some thinking and I now have a direction I plan to take with the EricTheCarGuy channel going forward.
I’ve also posted a response video to that video that aired on ETCG1 today. Here’s a link to that video.
I’m still going to be posting videos of the #FairmontProject, but I plan to package them differently.
My intention with the #FairmontProject was always to educate the audience on all the different systems that make up an automobile. Many people focus on the engine, but there are so many other supporting systems that are important. I wanted to use the #FairmontProject as a way to introduce you to those other systems and illustrate why they are important to any vehicle, not just a performance build.
Somewhere along the line I lost my way with that vision for the #FairmontProject and it became the ‘Eric’ show instead of the educational videos I had always intended them to be. I still feel those videos have value, but as stated, I plan to package them differently going forward to more closely match my original vision of making them entertaining as well as educational.
You might have noticed this change in format in the latest #FairmontProject video.
https://www.youtube.com/embed/PSBBI6feenMwidth=560|height=315|title=Keep Your Lean from Getting Mean, Rear Stabilizer Bar Installation|group=mygroup}
I’m hoping to perfect this approach going forward in future installments as well and that those of you that aren’t as into the #FairmontProject find these new videos more to your liking.
EricTheCarGuy Gets a Makeover
In addition to changing some of the video format, I’ve also been working on rebranding EricTheCarGuy. I’ve created a new logo and cards for my social media outlets. This new logo will also be showing up in future EricTheCarGuy videos as well as on EricTheCarGuy.com.
I like the new look, I hope you do as well.
New! EricTheCarGuy T-shirts
For a limited time these new EricTheCarGuy t-shirts will be available in 3 different colors, black, grey, and white.
They feature #DarkMatterPikachu in the engine bay with it’s new accessory mounts. It also features the new ETCG logo. These are American Apparel shirts, so you know they’re of good quality. These will only be available for a short time so be sure to get yours before they’re gone!
The #FairmontProject
Work has slowed down on the #FairmontProject lately. Partly because I was out of town on a video shoot, and partly because I’ve had a lot of editing to catch up on.
It kills me when I can’t be at the shop working on the car. I really don’t want it to drag on any longer. I want to be done. I want to be driving it already, but as they say, “a stitch in time saves nine”.
I was able to finish the interior and the ‘body work’ involved with that. I’ve sealed all the unnecessary holes in the firewall for the HVAC and cut the holes for the new set up. I also filled one of the holes in the inner fender which used to be the cold air inlet for the engine.
I didn’t stop there. I also cleaned the rust that was behind the brake booster, resealed the panel there, and painted everything when I was done. It’s not the same color as the car, but it’s close enough and I’m very happy with the outcome.
I also rerouted the rear brake line to the drivers side of the car and placed my manual proportioning valve right next to the drivers seat. This means I’ll be able to adjust the pressure to the rear brakes right from the drivers seat. Something I think is very cool.
I started working on mounting the new gauges, but I’ve hit a small road block trying to figure out how I’m going to place them in the old bezel. I have some ideas, I just need some time to figure out if they’re going to work.
Once I’ve got the gauges sorted, I plan to work on the vents for the HVAC. Now that I have the HVAC box and controls sorted out, I now need to figure out how to work the vents and controls.
After that, I plan to start work on the roll cage. Nothing fancy, just a 6 point, but I plan to fabricate it myself. Don’t worry, my welding has gotten much better since I started the project.
Then I’ll be insulating the floor, doors, and roof with Xmat that I got from Eastwood. This will help keep the heat and the noise out of the passenger compartment. Remember I’m making a street car, not just a ‘race car’. I want to be able to drive this and be somewhat comfortable. In fact, when the car is done I’m considering a nation wide tour in the car where I do mini ‘Meet Up’s’ in different towns around the country. Having a comfortable ride will be key to how long that trip will be.
Once the roll cage is complete, I’ll be in the home stretch. I was going to rewire the entire car, but I’ve been rethinking that. I think it will save me a ton of time if I use the original harness for most of the electrical system. I will however use the new fuse box and wiring that I got from Painless Wiring for all the new circuits that I’ll be adding to the car like the electric cooling fans, the new gauges, the fuel pump, stuff like that.
Then it’s a matter or reassembly and hooking everything back up. I sincerely hope that day comes in the next couple of months. I’d hate to have all the good driving months gone before I have a chance to get the car back on the road.
Fixing it Forward
I’m just keeping this thread going. Once again I don’t have anything noteworthy to report. I’m hoping to turn my sights back to FiF after the #FairmontProject is complete.
If you’d like to learn more, or donate to the Fixing it Forward GoFundMe, click here.
Premium Member News
I’m sad to say I fell short of my goal of 3 exclusive videos for Premium Members last month. I was only able to get 2 completed. I plan on working extra hard next month to make up for the shortfall. Please forgive me.
Here are the exclusive videos that were offered to Premium Members last month. “#FairmontProject Update 3/22/2017 (Exclusive Video)” and “#FairmontProject Update 4/14/2017 (Exclusive Video)”. Both Fairmont videos I realize, but that has been my focus for the past few months.
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.
Executive Producer Role
As pointed out in the ETCG1 video I mentioned earlier in the newsletter, I’ve been hired as the executive producer for Pull-A-Part videos this year. During early April I went down to Atlanta to begin shooting some of those videos.
In this round we were covering Ford trucks. We completely disassembled a 2000 Ford F-150 as well as part of a 2005 Explorer, and a 1995 Ford Ranger. I LOVED the Ranger BTW. That was a nice little truck.
I hired Jim Hodgson from Crossthreaded as my ‘talent’ for these shoots. He’s worked out great and is a lot of fun to work with. We’ve got a couple of more week long shoots scheduled in Atlanta, one of them in May, the other in July.
I’m also working on an ‘epic’ video(s) for the program that I know you’re going to love. I can’t give you too many details now, but it involves some other automotive YouTubers you may know…
In Closing
I learned a lot this month, mostly about you, the followers of ETCG. I’ve been working as EricTheCarGuy now for 8 years. During that time I’ve developed my own style and way of doing things. However, I feel somewhere along the way I lost some of you. I realize that’s par for the course, but I’d hate to think it was because I drove those viewers away.
Going forward I plan to keep in the core philosophy of why I started ETCG in the first place, to help people with their automotive issues. It doesn’t matter if I’m doing a ‘traditional’ repair video, or a new #FairmontProject video, I intend on keeping that philosophy in mind.
I hope this newfound outlook, and the new look of ETCG will keep you coming back. If not, I’ll take another look and work something else out. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I wasn’t flexible and willing to change. The trick is to keep the changes positive.
Thanks to all of you that provided feedback to help keep me on that path. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
Thanks for reading. Latest videos below. Be safe
Have fun
Stay Dirty
ETCG
Related Videos:
EricTheCarGuy 2017:
Keep Your Lean from Getting Mean, Rear Stabilizer Bar Installation:
Re: YouTube and the Future of ETCG:
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Video Title: May 2017 Newsletter -EricTheCarGuy Video Description: Welcome to the May 2017 Newsletter. Here you will find information on what is happening with EricTheCarGuy and his videos. Projects iunclude the #fairmontproject, Changes Coming to ETCG, Fixing it Forward, and New! EricTheCarGuy T-shirts. Premium Membership info is included. Thumbnail: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/images/newsletter/May/2017/May-2017-Newsletter-Header-Large.jpg
