hen I first started rebuilding and modifying cars, there was no Internet. In some ways, that was a blessing. There’s little worse today than being stymied by a problem halfway through a repair, logging onto your favorite forum to explain your conundrum and getting a hundred or so replies — some of which tend to either back up one of a half-dozen or so competing “fixes,” while others usually include a cadre of members practicing a style of sophomoric humor most of us thankfully left in the fifth grade.
No, “back in the day” we developed our own information sources. Among my most trusted “consultants” were the guys across the counter at the local speed shop, who were only too happy to collect my weekly paycheck and dispense wisdom with my change. I was also fortunate enough to make friends with a group of guys who hung around at a machine shop in a neighboring city. The owner, Dennis, accepted me into the group, which meant that not only did he become a source of information but made everything in the shop available — from the typical array of engine-rebuilding machinery to a table grinder for resurfacing flywheels and a bead blaster for stripping parts. For free.
That said, most of my modifications were done in the driveway at home. Alone. Because of that, I used a time-honored hack that performed flawlessly: I took photos of what I was doing during the disassembly process in order to have some sort of guide to help during reassembly. No, we didn’t have smartphones “way back when” — but what we did have were cheap disposable cameras and 1-hour photo shop kiosks in the parking lot of every neighborhood mall.
I was reminded of this recently while reading the RVelectricity forum on FaceBook. Founded by RV Enthusiast contributor and all-around electric guru Mike Sokol, this is one of the most technically accurate forums on the world wide web.
In his weekly JAM (Just Ask Mike) Session, Mike included this nugget: “The main point of this JAM session is that you should never attempt to commit any wiring connections to memory. In your pocket you probably have one of the greatest inventions of all times for DIY fixers: A cell phone with a camera.
“So, before you take anything apart, take plenty of pictures of it from every angle possible. And if all the wires are the same color, get a roll of yellow or white electrical tape and a Sharpie marker. Then mark each pair of connections as 1, 2, 3 or A, B, C, etc. Plus, again, take plenty of pictures! No matter how many times I do something, I still try to take pictures to help me reassemble whatever it is.”
It’s great advice. Since Mike was writing on his RVelectricity forum he limited his comments to that segment — but this is something that can (and should) be done by every back yard wrench whenever attempting a parts repair, swap or upgrade. Tearing into your air-conditioning unit? Take photos along the way. Replacing your furnace? Ditto. Heck, for that matter, take pics for something as easy as replacing the plumbing beneath your kitchen sink. Why? Because stuff happens. Having a photo you can refer to of the stock factory setup can prevent a whole host of potential problems — and keep you from taking shortcuts.
Granted, some things may not need the photographic backup — if, for example, you’re replacing brake pads on your trailer, you can just look at one of the other assemblies to guide you. For the most part, though, taking photos along the way will undoubtably ease your frustration level — to say nothing of eliminating all those “extra” parts that always seem to be part and parcel to many repairs.
The onrush of technology means that cameras are omnipresent today. They can be found atop poles and on buildings in city centers to allow government employees to watch for scofflaws, while many municipalities hook them up to light poles and use them as a deterrent to traffic disobedience. (Don’t get me started on that one.) Closer to home, it’s not unusual today to see homeowners rig their domiciles front and back with the watchful eyes of security cameras — in fact, you can even equip your home (and RV!) with a specialized doorbell that synchs with your smartphone to provide you with footage of anyone knocking at the door.
For RVers, cameras have made backing up a trailer or motorhome infinitely easier, while “dashcams” have enabled motorists of all vehicles to capture problems and accidents while on the road.
In fact, in our October issue the staff of RV Enthusiast plans to take a look at using cameras for a number of purposes, from adding security while camping to modifying several backup cameras and mounting them to either side of a fifth wheel or travel trailer in order to more easily back into tight spaces while traveling as a lone wolf.
There’s no holding back technology; it’s coming for you, whether you like it or not. But it doesn’t necessarily replace proven practices. As Mike and Chris and countless others know full well, there’s strength in that old adage, “The more things change, the more they say the same.”