Two weeks ago, we loaded up the official CC Camper (1977 Dodge Chinook) and hit the road, a 2200 mile loop to Glacier National Park and back. Frankly, I was mentally burnt out and physically exhausted. We were already a couple of days behind schedule, so the Chinook got a brief wash to get the annual build-up of Oregon green slime off it, a quicky acrylic replacement sliding window for one that shattered after I opened it, a precursory check to make sure the fluids were topped up, a bit of of air in the tires…and off we go, having sat for a year. I’m just about to write up a bit of a travel-log of our adventure. Obviously, we made it back, but there were a few moments when it seemed otherwise. Three repairs, all of them requiring the above implements, one of them essential to continued forward progress. Want to guess what they were?
To make this fabulous and highly memorable vacation a reality, I have to first acknowledge the efforts of those that made it possible by keeping CC going. Jim Cavanaugh stepped in to more than he probably realized, who along with Jeff Nelson, Laurence Jones, Michael Freeman and the rest of the CC Writers and Contributors kept CC humming along even more smoothly than my rolling CC. No baling wire and pliers needed here. Thank you all!
Fortunately, the spare ballast resistor that you should be keeping in the glovebox was not needed. As for the repairs, are we to presume that these were automotive in nature (as opposed to medical)? 🙂
Yes, but given my propensity for DIY medical procedures ( I just removed a couple of stitches recently rather than go back to the doctor’s office) it’s a very salient question.
Ummm, either throttle or shifter linkage came loose, wire was used as a makeshift clip/retainer. Next guess is a hose end started leaking, hose clamp stripped, wire was used for a hose clamp. Am I warm?
And muchos kudos to those who did an excellent job of keeping the pipeline full of product while Paul was away!
Muchos kudos indeed! What a super cool, fascinating and happy community this has become.
Whoo hooooooo! Paul’s Back! (not that there’s anything wrong with the rest of the staff, but you always cheer the return of the KING.)
Hope you enjoyed your time in the woods as the days are now growing shorter than the nights. Here’s a thumbs up for your ingenuity in the woods.
Glad you got home safely Paul. I’m going to guess that the “rag joint” coupler on the steering linkage started to come apart.
I’m jealous. I’ve tried three times to visit Glacier NP and all three were preempted, so it’s still on my bucket list. Hope you had a grand time and great to see you back!
Welcome back, Paul. That’s a good workout for a car, regardless whether it’s a daily driver or if it’s been sitting. Kudos on the 2200k spin… whew, NICE!! They sure built them to last.
The first time I took mine on what became my annual 1500k summer trip, it had sat a good while. I took it outta storage, did some work to it, then daily drove for about a month. Then went on the trip. That was one epic drive. The check engine light went on toward the end of the first 700k miles (EGR solenoid kicked it at altitude), the horribly warped brakes really manifested themselves in pitch black dark of a night mountainous road whose assault of steep twisty drops was appropriately matched by some ridiculous number of deer signs, and a window motor died at a gas station just as it was about to start raining. It’s a good thing they die gradually so you can still pull up the window at least one more time when they do that. Oh, and both my rack and c/a bushings were jello. LOL, memories. Look forward to hearing about yours!!
Welcome back!! 😀
Welcome back, Herr Doktor! Hadn’t realized I could use that literally…
“(I just removed a couple of stitches recently rather than go back to the doctor’s office)”
Using different pliers, I hope…
I delivered my younger son solo at home, and had to give my wife an episiotomy because he was coming so fast. With her quilting shears, no less.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Episiotomy
Wow if it’s even possible, I think more of you as a human being.
Ow ow ow I know what an episiotomy is, just the sound of the word makes me wince! I watched my lady have a couple of c-sections – glad I wasn’t the one holding the knife…or shears.
Welcome back Paul. I cannot possibly guess what you used those for. But as far as self medicine, why go back to the doctor? It’s pretty easy. the hard part is putting stitches in! My friend does that with nothing but ice to numb it. We have had one of our children at home and almost had two others at home. Glad that’s all over. And no, I could never watch my own vasectomy! However I did watch my wife have an emergency C section with no anesthetic.
Depending on the gauge theres not much that cant be fixed with wire, #8 is a kiwi icon it can replace anything from brake rods to woodruff keys depends on your blacksmithing skills,
Hope you have a clean rag to wipe your tools before surgery and stainless wire would be best for human repairs,
Good to see you back safe
Welcome back, Paul. I am glad you and Steph are fine and recharged.
I am equally glad you didn’t need any duct tape. That would have meant real trouble.
I’ve heard from a fairly reliable source that Paul Niedermeyer removed his own braces in addition to all his other feats of DYI daring-do.
Paul Niedermeyer is… the most interesting man in the world.
Let’s see if I can top that: I actually insisted on watching my vasectomy being performed (since I wasn’t quite up to doing that myself). You never know when someone might need…
I like this site and admire your capabilities, but I’m not letting you near my nether regions, nor my wife’s, with a random kitchen implement, regardless of the emergency. Yikes!
Stay attuned to sarcasm, my friends.
Wow, Paul, we are so alike! I watched my vasectomy too!
Maybe we didn’t trust them to get it right?
Addendum: (with a pair of pliers)
Good grief yesterday this site was all about old cars now suddenly its covering modifications to humans, must have hit the wrong tab in favourites sidebar.
Welcome back and I have a sneaky feeling there’s stuff in yer inbox from several of us. 🙂
Glad all went more or less well even if you had to get out the pliers, the screwdriver and some bailing wire, but what about the duct tape? 😉
Knowing the vintage of your vehicle of vacation choice and its make, it’s of the type that a little duct tape, bailing wire and a paper clip along with some spare parts like your ballast resister, an accessory belt and what other part you need in a box in the back is about all that’s needed to keep one of those things humming along, at least where it comes to the drive train and its electricals.
Looking forward to the stories!
Actually, I did use duct tape to cover up some of the propane refrigerator vents when the wind was so strong it kept blowing out the flame.
Speaking of self-administered health care and duct tape:
http://www.octanecreative.com/ducttape/hmo/index.html
I’ll admit to using it to tape my toes before a long distance run. Fortunately it’s now available in white (as well as several colors other than silver), so I don’t look like a total redneck…
All kidding aside, Paul you are a most interesting man.
I can’t thank you all enough for the great reading material you provide on a daily basic. Thank you All.
I Love duct tape… When I couldn’t afford a new top on my 14 y.o. Lebaron with one good roll of silver duct tape I put another layer on that dried out fragment of a roof and the car stayed dry inside for the next 2 years. Best $4. I ever spent… I can’t tell you the silly places that stuff comes in handy. It’s a bit WTm but what the heck, it works. I forget to keep a roll in the car now that I have a hardtop. Still a great idea.
I look forward to all of your great words coming to life in future curbside Classics. Again. Thank you all.