The Long Way Home

Last week I found myself in Jackson, Wyoming, with a pocket of cash and a handful of tools. I took the opportunity to purchase this 1978 Chevy C10 and drive it about 1,000 miles home. The video starts about 15 miles from where I purchased the truck in Ashton, Idaho, and where I pulled off to start a few repairs. While it ran and drove when I bought it, I don't think it moved off the property it was sitting at in over a year.

Chapters:
-In Idaho-
00:00 - Intro
01:00 - Oil change
03:59 - Clamping on a muffler
06:50 - Topping off fluids and hitting the road

-Wyoming-
10:37 - Checking a few more things before heading into the mountains
(Engine temp, torquing lug nuts, brake fluid, hoses, differential fluid)
16:23 - Replacing the power steering hose
(About 1.5 hours into the trip. This was the only hose in stock locally, not for a c10 but it has the right size fittings)
25:13 - Fixing the squeaking blower fan motor
29:08 - Replacing the temperature sensor
(Gauge didn't seem to be working)
34:01 - Greasing wheel bearings
(About 4 hours in. Cleaning out the old grease would've been best, but it looked pretty healthy so I just topped it off. I'll end up cleaning/re-greasing them at home.)

-Nebraska-
44:57 - Rear brakes started dragging/Greasing the other wheel bearing.
(About 8 hours in)

-South Dakota-
(About 11 hours in, 6 to go)
53:01 - Spark Plugs & Wires
55:27 - Replacing the thermostat
(After replacing the sensor, the gauge seemed to be correct that the engine wasn't reaching the correct operating temperature. This was the fix)

-Minnesota-
01:00:00 - Home
01:01:00 - Cat

[Lauterec]

Thank you Simon Chevyman for another great video.

[theroamincatholic]

How this channel doesn't have millions of views I don't know. Classic Americana, beautiful scenery, no obnoxious music or commentary, just the sights and sounds of a good old American road trip and some wrenching. Best one hour I've spent in a long time.

[johnwingrider]

I`m a retired Florida State Trooper, and a bit of a motorhead. I watch a lot of YouTube and have my own channel under John Wingrider. I love video`s of old trucks and cars, but most are just a lot of talking, yours however I think are the best videos on YouTube, I love them. Please do more.

[dcmphoto]

This is my favorite automotive channel. No obnoxious music or antics. Top notch filming. Absolutely fantastic!

[BeehDee]

I have like multiple comments to compile into one.

1. I can no longer tell myself I need more tools for my nearly 25 year old truck. I have a near full shop at hand already. This video reminds me of all the little tricks I learned from an old timer when I worked at a truck shop.

2. I occasionally consider a newer truck to eliminate the random roadside inconvenience that happens when I least have time for it. This video makes me realize that’s my fault, not the truck.

3. Sadly most Americans have fallen for the automotive marketing bait with the Banks tricking them into giving their own time up for a pipe dream of *better*. This video makes me glad I always follow my heart, not the herd.

4. Winter is coming. I’ve rebuilt my front end suspension and put new tires on, new filters, fluids, new copper plugs, new fluid in the diff, greased my driveline. I have to fluid film the frame when i do my next oil change in fall. This video reminds me I’ve got a slow power steering leak that I hope to nurse through winter till next year when I can replace the rack and lines.

5. I’ve got a real nice wool blanket I keep for fall family picnics or winter parking lot take-out lunches in my one day off. My heat works well but I drive almost 2 hours in the morning to get to work. This video reminds me about how much I love letting the first 15 minutes of my drive go by with the heat not yet turned on and that blanket on my lap while I enjoy my coffee in the slow lane.

6. Please continue these videos and remind men like me that our kind is still alive and well as your comments seem to point out, bleak numbers be damned. Thank you.

[betobsbf]

B-rolls from No Country for Old Men. Awesome.

[frfrpr]

The filming was as good as the mechanical work. No BS, just adventure.

[chrishouse]

The most peaceful lunch hour possible. Mountains, a scenic drive, a little wrenching, the sounds of each... also loving the filmography. Talented on many front. I hope your channel explodes.

[nashalhusainy]

One of the most beautiful and best videos that makes you live the same moment, I don't know how an hour of this silence and follow-up went until I was surprised by the end of the movie, my dear, continue because I'm watching you from Yemen. I hope my words reach the beautiful Montana

[cristianxpisto]

Besides your mechanical abilities the filming is amazing. Every single frame works to tell the overall story and that is a something long needed in YouTube. Have patience this channel is going to grow to it's true value, everybody sees and appreciates hard work and talent. Great job, again!

[Darthvolvo]

Anything can be done with simple hand tools

Simon: yes

[slendermash]

This is what car channels should be like, perfection

[thetravellingpicker]

Talk about doing it with bare minimum tools!. Impressive, when you heated up the engine to get the temp sensor out. That little trick getting the inner bearing out was old school. Love this channel.

[KenEnCuenca]

Thanks Simon. I just saved $60 on a therapy session.😀

[eng.Bonevv]

Every time is pleasure when i look your videos! Thank you man! Back than when these trucks are made, the things are simple, no computers and every man whit some skills can repair his vehicle. Simple and reliable machines.

[gforcekaras]

Thanks for taking us along on the journey.

[chckenphat]

I bought a 97 ford aerostar the other day. I'd like to say it was under my own whim but after tuning in here for the last little bit you've started to rub off on me.

Appreciate yah buddy.

[michaelmoncur]

I need more of this quiet, rustic, fix-it-to-work content from you. The camera, the cuts, the settings, the ambiance, the truck choices, I love it. I’m a squarebody owner myself and I love watching you work with the basic tools to get these nice rigs back on the road. It proves to everyone who sees this that old trucks ARE reliable. Not to mention very easy to repair, given you know what you’re doing. I appreciate your videos, I really look forward to the next one!

[chrislour]

Found this and ive been recommending it to all my pals at work. We all enjoy vice grip, junkyard digs stuff like that. But this is different. The shots are close up to the work and is a whole different vibe. Really enjoy your stuff buddy.

[RickWills-pc]

Thank you, Simon. I’m a retired heavy equipment mechanic love to watch these videos. Keep it up.