Snail's pace Blitz rebuild
 

Thought it was about time I showed some of my efforts at home regarding my trucks. ( Sometimes I actually get off ebay! :yappy:)
The Blitz I am working on is my Ford F15 cab 13. This was actually the 5th truck I bought. The first three (a C15A, a C60S and a WC51) were all sold to fund the shed that I am now working in.
A fourth truck, a Ford F60L cab 13, originally bought for its 20inch wheels now sits in the shed and will be rebuilt in the future.
The Ford F15 was bought in Apr 2009 and sat outside for close to 18 months until my shed was nearing completion. This time last year I began the slow but rewarding process many of you here are doing or have done in the past, a Blitz rebuild/restoration.
The Ford F15 is an Australian built truck going by the nosecone and leaf spring attachment points. There are no data plates.
It was last rego'd in 2007 in Victoria and is stated as a 1941 Ford.
On the rego sticker is the serial no.0229775 and an eng no. However the engine no. AVR95114 most likely belongs to the transplanted Holden 179 straight six that was the last to power it. The Flathead V8 being retired many years earlier.
Here's a couple of photos of how it looked when it first arrived.

With the shed up I was able to store the Blitzs out of the weather. They then came out again for a week while the concrete set.
Once it was all signed off by council the shed began to fill up with all the bits and pieces and the teardown began.

Good luck with your restoration Ryan!

Kostas.

Cheers Kostas. Hope the handbook is coming in handy.

One of my best ebay bargins is certainly a 1 ton gantry I bought on ebay. Terrific construction and size for my shed, it cost only $180!
The roof was a lot easier to take off with just me working on it.

Last pic is of my future Blitz driver.

With a full time job, a family and a farm, shed time is a rare thing.
But progress still happens.

Gantry again to take the nose off and the rear water tank. It will not be going back on as there was a large amount of internal rust.

Next to come off was the old timber tray section and the Holden radiator.

Next out was the Holden engine and gearbox.
But bugger! The gear stick would not clear the window frame.

So I rehooked the lot and took it out backwards.
Engine and gearbox wasn't in bad condition but a Ford Flathead will replace it.

I know the feeling Ryan It took me two years to get the blitz on the road abd now it's nearly another three years and I am still not finished. It's all worth it though, good luck :cheers:

Thanks Rob. :)
Your threads have been great to follow.
MLU is like a 'chose your own adventure' book, what story will I read today. :cool:

holiday progress
 

My Christmas holidays didn't begin well with putting my back out by simply pulling clothes out of the washer! I was out of action for 8 days. I got back into the shed today however and managed to remove the fuel tanks which are in good shape, the dash which will need to be rebuilt, and the rear tray frame which I may use again in the future.
My plan is to fit a spare tyre carrier with tool box behind the cab and then fit a flat tray onto the chassis so that the Blitz will be useful around the farm.

The first pic shows some bits I picked up at the last clearing sale I went to. Including a couple of bags of NOS flathead V8 bolts.

Watching the progress
 

G' Day Ryan!

Just wanted to say hello, and i'm enjoying watching the progress. :thup2:

Would you mind if I save a copy of your pic showing the rear chassis of your CMP? The previous owner of the Ford I am restoring 'lost' the rear chassis cross-member. I need to get another fabricated by a local engineering firm (who also do my sandblasting of larger parts) and your photo may help. I still don't understand HOW the part got lost.

Hope the back is coming along OK. It amazes me that it's often the really simple things that cause the 'last straw' scenario.

I plan to put a spare-wheel carrier & box on mine also. Just be sure you don't have the same sinking feeling I got when I first tried to fit a tyre into the carrier & found it was set up for 16in size wheel!!!!! It's farily simple to modify for 20in though.

I look forward to seeing the work progress.

P.S: What the hell are those clutch assemblies from??? They don't look anything like the one on my flathead engine.

:cheers:

Hi Tony
 

Save as many photos you want mate, if you want some more detailed ones I could take a couple tomorrow.
Those pressure plates are a mystery to me at the moment too, some of the clutch plates are definately flathead though.

Hmm, as for the tyre carrier, it came off a F60L so I guess it's set up for 20in wheels. But it's only going to hold 16in wheels which I'll keep on the F15.

Thankyou Ryan
 

Don't go to any trouble Ryan. That photo should do nicely I think.

I have the F60 Parts Manual which has a line drawing of chassis from above & that drawing combined with your pic will surfice.

Let me know if there is any assistance I can provide you at any time. I'm still learning heaps though, as I go along.

If you are looking for specialist to restore instruments (if required), see Bob Moseley here on MLU. That's his cup of tea!

:cheers:

Dash
 

Hi Ryan

Looks like your dash (and engine cover) could do with a couple of these:

http://gallery.me.com/oldcmp.net/100...13252796380001

plates
 

Yes they could. I forgot you had them. Can you keep a set for me Keith and I'll grab them off you at Corowa?

Data plates
 

Sure thing Ryan.

Anyone else need any?

Ryan and all other MLU members look me up at the office at Corowa and introduce yourself. If all goes to plan I'll be there at lunch time Wednesday. :cheers:

I understand the back problem well. My worst epersode took 300 panadeine forte before my regular medication was good enough. It usually is the simple things that trigers the pain, I can mix and pour concrete all day but put my heel down on an unseen stone and I drop like a sack of spuds. All because I fell 16 foot as a child. :cheers:

Data Plates
 

Yeah Keith,

I need a set for Ford F60!!!!

If you got em, send me a paypal invoice. Postage to QLD.

movement
 

Got a little bit of shed time today after a busy weekend. Managed to remove the seats and found both in great condition. Snapped a couple of bolts removing them but that's no biggy.
Also removed the three main cabin floor bolts for the next time I get back to it.

Plates
 

Hi Tony

I'll arrange this in the next couple of days for you.

Hi Keith,yes i would like a set of those plates please,i have never seen a set so far here in NZ,just the thing for the F30.
I would have to go through the post office with the likes of a money order or something simular.

little step
 

Got into the shed this afternoon and removed the driveshaft, steering and the remaining cab freeing the chassis for a good look.
Of the 4 shocks only one is 100% complete and the original radiator mounts have been cut off during the conversion to a holden set up.
My questions are:
Can the radiator mounts found on the F60 chassis be used on a F15 chassis?

And can the shocker arms (not the housings) found on F60/C60 be used to replace the missing arms and connections on my F15 chassis?

Chassis details
 

Hi Ryan
The radiator brackets are the same but I think the arms may be different on the shockers. They are shorter and have more of a crank in them.

shock arms
 

Thanks for that Keith, I do know of another F15 wreck that has them but its a bit of a hike. Better get my boots.

blitz
 

Any up dates with the blitz Ryno?

update
 

Hi Luke,
There has been a little progress, but small.
Spending time on the chassis. Cleaning, grinding and removing bits and pieces.

Did a little trip recently and came across this little beast of a Blitz. Very impressive gear on it. Later model Ford V8 in it too. Not for sale however.

Ah i see you`ve been up near me for a Drive Ryan . Did he tell you the story about the guy who bought it years ago but still hasnt been back to pick it up ??

blitz
 

Yes, I thought it a bit strange. 10 years ago it was purchased the story goes. I was told about that Blitz from a scappy down near me in Moriac.