I had someone looking to buy some videos for a car parts project they were working on. They wanted more than just a book walking them through it, they wanted to see it. I recommended the browse youtube. Try some variations on your search and you’re likely to find something useful there. Most of us are visual learners, so just watching a bit can go a long way towards making a project easier.

Believe it or not, there are some good videos out there. YouTube.com has everything from published professional videos to amatuer stuff. I would stick to ones that look legit, or are almost identical to what you are doing. Don’t be too trusting.

A few auto parts companies even publish some videos on YouTube. I found Car Parts Warehouse had some wheel hub videos. Discount AC Parts had some AC Compressor installation Videos and Turbochargerpros.com had some of their turbos videos there. Might be good to see some info on the parts before installation. Like mentioned earlier, just being able to see something and how it looks makes things easier.

Beyond YouTube there are other sites offering videos on installation. Many are free, but many are require subscription. If you really need help, then paying for it will save you in the long run.

For many home mechanics, this can be a real nuisance. You take out your original part, do your research and make sure you get the “OEM” Original equipment replacement part from the parts store. However, when you open the box, it looks nothing like the original. You immediately think the parts store is pulling a fast one on you.

The truth is, OEM car parts over time improve in design. OEM number changes commonly occur in car steering racks, ac compressors and fuel pumps. This is especially true if your car is at least 5-10 years old. I found such an issue with a client who thought he had purchased the wrong fuel pump. The one in particular was a Delphi fuel pump. Manufacturers often make adjustments to assure higher efficiency and better overall operation.

I have included pictures of the Original Fuel Pump and the Improved design. In this particular case, the original fuel pump had the fuel strainer on the outside of the physical pump whereas in the new design the fuel pump has the strainer built inside the body of the pump itself. This change, along with the new locking ring, improved RFI noise filtering and reduced amperage. Tons of changes, but the part number stays the same.

OEM number changes occur and it is a natural part of the car parts industry. Instead of immediately questioning the parts store, question the part itself and look for any OEM changes when in doubt.

I was working with someone who had a kit car. It was a classic mercedes that required a Mustang manual steering rack.

I was fairly impressed with the price and availability for these. Apparently alot of companies are building kits that use this Ford Steering Rack. Who would have thought a 70’s Mustang II steering rack would still be so popular?

They can also use power racks, which are nice if the car is bigger or heavier. If the car is lightweight and small I recommend sticking with power, since the power steering pump sucks power from the engine. Either way its nice to have a good supply of new racks and not have to worry about returning a core.