Fixing Up A 1956 Chevrolet

Turn on subtitles or view the transcript at the bottom of the description if you'd like explanations on what I'm doing throughout the video.
This is a 1956 (I believe) Chevy 210. Inline 6, 3 speed column shifter, 4 door. The last time it was registered, presumably the last time it was driving, was 1983. The car originally lived in California but at some point it was brought to Minnesota, and It's been passed down through one family for most of its life. The owners of the car asked me if I could get it running and driving again. I did get it driving, but it looks like it'll be needed a lot more help to be truly drivable. Fortunately, the owners do want to keep funding the repairs, so expect a part 2 soon.
Chapters:
00:00 - First look at things
02:00 - Does it spin?
04:48 - Checking spark
05:35 - Rebuilding the carburetor
14:02 - Putting some things back together
17:56 - First start and oil change
21:57 - Pulling it out of the garage
22:57 - Fixing the shifter (taking apart the steering column)
30:46 - Putting things back together
34:12 - first drive (back and forth in the driveway)
37:21 - A couple things I missed
39:35 - Fixing the brakes
57:26 - Gear oils
58:38 - Addressing the cooling system
1:01:28 - Uh Oh (this will be part 2)
1:01:47 - First real drive anyways
1:05:08 - Kitty

[@omgbbqcia911]

man i never click on videos faster than when Simon uploads. who knew you could love a channel so much that has ZERO talking!? keep on keeping on man

[@mtccorp]

Me and you both brother. After draggin cars all day, it’s nice to sit in silence and watch him work on engine s. Helps me unwind 😂

[@Hexhelm]

Haha, same here

[@larrysnow135]

😅​@@Hexhelm

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks everyone

[@josephw.8882]

Facts!!!!!

[@nunyabuziness8421]

I just got done putting a steering rack in my minivan and here I am watching someone work on a car😂 it was a nightmare took me 9 hours. Fluid film should sponsor you

[@oldcars5547720]

Removing the heater core is an interesting chore as well. The last time I did it I had to remove the heater box three times.

[@nandi123]

I am very impressed by the intentional contrast between form, the beauty of your videography, e.g matching your clothes to the car color, and function, getting the machine to run with minimal cleaning. This is exceptional artistry. I look forward to seeing more of your work.

[@Rusty749]

Simon, I can't describe it, but your videos have a therapeutic effect. After a stressful, hard day at work, or stress with your wife, the videos really calm you down. You feel like you're working with you. No one is just talking your ear off. Thank you for your effort and hard work!

[@SimonFordman]

Thank you!

[@robhamill7941]

50/50 acetone/transmission fluid is your best friend when loosening rusty threaded things. Old farmer trick

[@MegaBskR]

Atf?

[@mccall9770]

@@MegaBskR automatic trans fluid

[@nunyabuziness8421]

Cheaper to buy a can of penetrating oil😂

[@agee8322]

The 50/50 is as good as kroil.

[@Jabbekot]

You should have 10 times more subs, because your vids are absolutely fantastic! The artistic vibe, combined with your mechanical talent, makes the coolest combo! Thanks!!

[@PaulinesPastimes]

Excellent video. Two things I liked were that you solder the crimp lug connections (essential for good connection) and the use of a gas torch to make spider webs vaporise. Terrible shame about the cracked block. Looking forward to the new engine when it happens.

[@donaldgreen7471]

Best car video I've seen in a long time. No drama or dumb music and great film work. Very cool car. Simon has the motivation I need.✌️🍺

[@arsnb9m907]

1956, the year I was born. I remember riding around in these when I was a kid.

[@vilasboas0306]

Eu também nasci em 1956, 03/06. O tempo passou muito rápido 😔😔😔🇧🇷

[@Rocket-ck3qn]

Stop lying 🤥

[@Nverinder716]

I genuinely feel like I could learn more about old cars and trucks from your videos than from anything else out there with a ton of commentary. As always, well done, and I look forward to the next!

[@user-to3ww5cz1f]

Очередной молчаливый шедевр по реанимации старого раритета😊. Браво, Саймон. Какие же раньше были красивые автомобили!Не нынешние безликие обмылки.

[@user-tj3ij1eg9w]

С изолентой было бы эффективнее

[@johnpartridge7623]

I look forward to this Lad's Videos with no talking & no shite music just a Guy working on an old Car, doing a good job in the meantime 👍

[@darrenlavigne6849]

Just found you recently Love your vids So refreshing to not have someone rambling endlessly while working Your content is so relatable Keep up the good work Cheers

[@patricks8086]

Or worse yet rambling endlessly about what they’re GOING to do, and not getting any actual work recorded.

[@paulroberts2302]

So very entertaining, even laugh out loud funny (when the wire brush got caught in the rag then you put the metal tray under it), .......and not a word was spoken. Award worthy editing for sure. Also manages numerous teachable moments!! Well done, well done!

[@noahingram8052]

This is like the fine dining of car repair

[@mhks68]

Fine dining?!? This is as blue collar as you can get. We’re talkin steak and eggs here. Ham and cheese sandwich with a Coke of the back of the tailgate. America c’mon.

[@Bolldere]

I know you put in an absolute ton of work on these projects, and on the edits. Thanks for leaving the little mistakes in, when your pokey wheel caught that rag up I audibly laughed. Also, sick car, california bel air? Make sure to spring for that undercoat for the MN salt !

[@oldcars5547720]

What a simply fabulous video! My beater is a 1955 210 four-door with a 235 six and Powerglide transmission. They all sound identical,. It was as if he was working on my engine before I painted it! Not long ago, I broke a fiber timing gear. That is a really wonderful experience --- pulling the oil pan and pump to get the bottom two assembly screws out of the front main bearing journal, to remove the cam gear cover. I installed new motor mount rubbers. I have had this car since 1995 so I have replaced or rebuilt every thing several times including a new wiring harness under the dash. Good steering columns for Powerglides are starting to get hard to find.

[@hpojnk]

Your videos/content/work ethic is just epic, love seeing a new upload and rewatching old ones to chill out after a long day doing the exact same stuff you do. Great angles/lighting and every detail captured, with no benile music or chatter, it’s so peaceful.

[@AddictedtoProjects]

I've seen about a million car restaurations on KZbin. But this one stands out. I even watched through the carb cleaning, which I've seen and done a million times. All because there's a certain je-no-se-qua in this video. Must be the photography and the attention to detail. Well done Sir. Thoroughly enjoyed this one. And you've got a gem of a car there. Very complete and original for it's age :)

[@SimonFordman]

Thank you!

[@braxtonnelson5375]

My first car was a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air with the 235 straight six and a powerglide. Watching you work on this '56 was like a trip back into time! It is refreshing to have no talking and no music during the video (maybe experiment with some captioning-- mainly for humor). Looking forward to the next installment of "This Old Chevy"!

[@justahunter81]

Very awesome. I’m not even much of a car guy anymore, but I love your videos. Takes me back to my high school days and tearing them apart to fix and figure out how everything works. You’re well past that stage. Keep the vids coming. Don’t change a thing.

[@SimonFordman]

Thank you!

[@iGazm]

Never knew you had closed captioning on your videos! Your cinematography has always been amazing and it's easy to follow what you are doing, but the CC made it even better! Thank you

[@mavision6525]

It's always good to see a new video pop up. Your format makes it great and mostly getting to see the actual work get done.

[@jeremiahnewell]

Knuckle flex at the start is much needed. Can't wait to watch this! Thanks for the uploads. Great content!

[@richardherbst8081]

Outstanding work from start to finish. I know whatever comes next for this car will be on par with your abilities that we have come to know.

[@Cimmerian415]

First time watching and I am pleasantly surprised that there isn't any incessant talking or annoying music. I will be subscribing.

[@kirkgallacher9144]

Wow.... what a classic... Thanks for giving me some great time for relaxing and to appreciate you mechanicial skills.

[@jimharper3941]

I really liked this video...I appreciate all the hard work that went into getting this 56 chevy running...I felt a bit sad seeing the water flow out of the block after all the work that went into getting it going. Excellent job...Thanks for posting!

[@Povilas7]

Love your videos. It amazes me, how in older days everything could be fixed/lubricated/cleaned and would work for another few years compared to nowadays...

[@RaskStar]

I love your videos, You put a lot of effort in getting a great cinematography in all of your shots, Makes the content very entertaining, Can’t wait too see the next video.

[@Raffaello49996]

Taking inspiration from your videos, I started disassembling my car and learned a lot of interesting things that I had no idea about. Thanks...

[@default_channel_name]

dude, your videos are gold. Commenting to boost your channel, you deserve it. Keep up the good work, man!

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks!

[@bigdaddydellnunya5830]

Best vid ever because there is NO TALKING just WORKING absolutely love it have to stop watching other vids because all these guys do is talk ugh

[@wkb8326]

No weird music playing to distract us. GREAT VIDEO!!!!

[@garyporter516]

I enjoyed watching you work on the Chevy,Simon,you are a good mechanic.

[@jholler2824]

Outstanding video, as always. Im sitting here watching this on my phone because power is out. Im right in the middle of the hurricane in Texas. Its pretty radical weather outside and this video really calmed me down. Thanks man.

[@SimonFordman]

Good luck over there. Thank you

[@larryclark6113]

Another great video. Your camera work is always so cool. Thank you Simon!

[@John3_16Q]

I just love this dudes videos 🔥

[@Pedroisanickname]

The shot/ edit at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="1188">19:48</a> was worth the price of admission alone, ❤

[@nsbhagwat]

This beautiful vehicle needs to undergo a full restoration. Nice video.

[@mrdiplomat9018]

I think it’s cool just like it is 👍🇺🇸

[@joesprague1464]

My favorite car channel,excellent content and videography. Thanks for sharing.

[@Bandit93gt]

Thank you Simon for the no BS videos. Some content creators are posting click bait titles and not posting what they said it would contain. This channel NNKH are pretty much the only ones I watch

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks. I'm always watching an rewatching NNKH's videos.

[@Rocket-ck3qn]

Good thing you didn't have to put any brakes on it we be watching it a month of Sundays, all respect 🙏 KZbin real good work that's all that matters 💪 keep living your life the way you do, God bless you and family, all respect.

[@jimthomas1989]

I was wanting that 262 or 283 ! Then you raise the hood and it's a straight 6 cylinder It's time for a built small block 327 😂

[@cristianxpisto]

i love the way this videos are filmed !!!! the content is amazing but man the filming pairs with the mechanic skills great! great one, again!👍

[@marcelohenriques4774]

Trazer automóveis a vida novamente é uma arte ! Parabéns ! Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

[@user-nl6oo2wx2e]

Great video sir, all I can say is that the owners of this car couldn’t have gotten a better person to get it back on the road again.

[@blaz6084]

Keep the video coming! Great quality.

[@MichailDoc]

I love the content. Appreciate it being free. Cheers mate

[@ryanbox30]

I recently discovered your channel and I just wanted to thank you for the amazing content. Please keep making these awesome videos

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks!

[@rpod1246]

Excellent video, great work. Wire wheel catching towel, perfect. Thanks

[@deniszhitnikov1763]

Simon, you're great!, nice shoot, great video, thank you!

[@johnmchardy1229]

As usual "Hello Puss". I worked in TV production. You are very good and all the footage provides a clear explanation of the work being carried out. No banter necessary thank goodness for that. Look forward to seeing this car up and running. Cheers as we say in Australia.

[@SimonFordman]

Thank you!

[@josephw.8882]

I find that not only are your videos entertaining, they also help me to do things on my own vehicle. Thank you @SimonFordman.

[@ionicsouza5470]

Nice work and nice car. Thank you from Brazil for the video.☺

[@junkman7426]

LOVE this video format. Also, love this old Chevy sedan. Those Stovebolts are good, smooth, and torquey mills. Love the over riders on that front bumper. Never seen those before.

[@reinaldocarvalho7853]

I LIKE so much watch you videos , your simple way to fix the old cars is incredible. I've been anxious for new videos like this. 🇧🇷🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@Mariano.Bernacki]

Hell yeah, Simon Renaultman just uploaded! Preliking, I will watch as soon as I am finished with work!

[@bryansantos6796]

What a wonderful video, continue With the great work!!!

[@kennethbrowning8148]

Best videos out there. Very informative and entertaining.

[@B-aviation]

Awesome video ,keep them coming!👍

[@mikef.1000]

Nice work! ... and YESSSSSS a man soldering the wire connectors!

[@HITHEREFOLKS]

EFFICIENT, QUICK,WELL EXPLAINED,YOU'RE A BADASS MECHANIC AND MANY THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR GREAT MECHANICAL KNOWLEDGE.KIND REGARDS FROM FRANCESCO ITALY.

[@tomcobey4015]

Another great video. You're the best.

[@davestark2015]

Hiya. Just found your channel been watching about four minutes so far , turned on the captions, then read some comments, all good too !!! I have a soft spot for four doors, they were mostly used up for family life ,then forgotten in some junkyard. I guess I'm partial to them, id rather have something like this one than a shiny two door. Cheers from British Columbia Canada. 🎉

[@BillyBob-jc9og]

Yes! I’ve been eyeballing a few “Diamonds in the rough “ myself just like this haha Love the content,keep it coming

[@thomasknobbe4472]

I see you got a set of all-terrains for the Ford, good move! Now you can get even further into the woods. We had a '55 Model 210 with the same drivetrain-Stovebolt six and three on the tree. Funny how you remember those sounds. Hoping the owner keeps a six in it, that would fit with the utilitarian nature of the machine. Thanks for the ride!

[@SimonFordman]

Those are actually the same old bald tires, haven't sprung for new ones yet haha. The owner is sticking with the inline

[@bobmillerick300]

Great video man. I might start following you. That was a great video. 😎

[@mikeburnett7028]

Great video. First one I’ve seen from you and I subscribed. Great content. Keep it up. P.S. love the cat

[@ezekielmoorejr3145]

Good job my friend, who ever got you started in working on vehicles must have been old school and taught you the value of rebuilding a part instead of just swapping it out! And I don't blame you for touching that black widow nest! Lol

[@dogpotter]

THanks that was very enjoyable

[@rustyrobinson8027]

Thanks for saving this car it definitely deserves it 👍🇺🇸

[@bmead144]

Great vid, Love to see and old classic return to run the roads! This one though quite old seemed a lot less crusty than some you've wrenched on. One thing though-petroleum based grease will damage rubber. Looked like a pretty solid old ride over all. Nice work! Hope a part 2 is in the works! Would enjoy seeing her all "gussied" up!

[@SimonFordman]

Thanks for the support and the tip on the grease.

[@mansize6622]

Absolutely brilliant.

[@lucaslopez8091]

Sin decir una palabra él explica, enseña y divierte, un genio!

[@dirkstellmacher423]

Thank you very much for another perfekt Video 😊.

[@benbeckley9192]

I like your 'can do' attitude and intend to check out more of your videos. Even though I've been a professional and recreational wrench for 60 years, I still learned some things from you. Your brake line work was artful. I avoid using lubricants on brake parts but maybe high temp disc brake formula is OK? You do a lot with minimal tools but you really deserve some better ones for the sake of the metal and your customer's vehicles. I like the subject matter you are presenting and excellent videography.

[@user-dw9ms3qk6u]

Pickle Barrel! Yeah buddy! Best steak and cheese around! Said it before, I'll say it again, yours is the best automotive content on youtube. Don't change a thing, just keep on trucking!

[@russelblackwell6041]

Very intelligent man this car deserves to be restored

[@guidostromer8739]

Badass camerawork my Dude🎉

[@jimmydm3]

Cool car. 4 door post, three on the tree, 235 sixer with that old familiar sixer sound. And you still got those bumper guards that so many guys took off and trashed. Don't get too rambunctious with a fast 1-2 shift. Those shift arms will both try and go up at the same and you'll have to pull over and get them unstuck. 56 Chevy was my first car, paid $165 for it so many years ago. Bummer about that engine block though...

[@Nocabishanienty75]

Well worth the watch 😎👍

[@daviddamico4288]

Nice work getting it running and driving again…

[@gregrussell5374]

Simon, so impressive to watch. You are a master mechanic. Thank you for filming your work.

[@koizora8251]

هذي القناه جميلة و ممتعه لانها بدون موسيقي و بدون كلام فقط عمل رائع شكرا لك علي العمل الرائع تحياتي من الشارقة الامارات🎉

[@tl8686]

Just wonderful and meditative

[@user-kw6ik7jt3u]

Респект и большое уважение Саймону - американскому Кулибину, механику с умной головой и золотыми руками!!🛠

[@jaroslavprochazka5291]

You have my deep respect.👍

[@ih302]

To me, this car is better than a fully restored example of the highest trim level, with all options and largest engine that was available at the time. More of the higher end examples likely have survived while most of the base models were ran into the ground and scrapped decades ago.

[@caseyshepherd2149]

Time to drop a small block in there or maybe even a big block lol

[@ScorpionBear_AG]

Right? Lol but no better feeling like getting the sitting old engine going ya kno

[@nasilemak868]

That's funny i lol'd so i comment lol to let you guys know i lol'ed

[@deanwitt7903]

Very cool . Long live old cars and gasoline !

[@rito2540]

Simon Subaruman never dissapoints

[@nunyabuziness8421]

He aint wasting time on junky subarus😂All american steel

[@grahamhawthorn2320]

You have got to know what you are doing to strip a Carb all the way. Great video Sir.

[@single-handed3673]

Suffering Succotash at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="61">1:01</a>:35

[@klebersonsoares4422]

Parabéns pelos vídeos !! Um melhor que o outro

[@robertashbrook3157]

Keep em coming

[@dottiegilyard8218]

Chevy God's are smiling videos to your talents be very proud not too many young have any car repair skills looking forward to your next video ❤❤

[@raynyhus2026]

I'd buy that and find another straight six and put it in. Then enjoy it. Another great job, keep them old cars alive.

[@SimonFordman]

Yea I'm on the lookout for another inline 6

[@francoisbouchard602]

Nice job sir Nice show cool car 😃👏👏👏👍👍👍👍

[@davegallucci9327]

Great video. Makes me want to work on my 55! 6 cylinder . did the brakes, wheel cylinders, lines, dual master, new exhaust, body mounts, motor and tranny mounts etc. Then stopped. This might make me get back onit! Thanks. Fluid film all the way.😊 s