Cheers Mick, and hello to all,
The places you spoke about are all familiar to me. Not because of Blitz hunting or personal travel, but as Dad was from Barcaldine and the places you have mentioned, he would talk about, as with many others such as Alpha, Aramac, Jericho, Blackall (where he was born), etc. Funny thing about Dad was that he could tell a yarn in such a way that when you actually saw the place (decades later sometimes), you actually felt like you already knew the place. Must tell you all sometime about the time in 30s when Dad lost a wheel from his Chev truck, and got it going again without the wheel on. True Story!.
I am still amazed how many Blitz trucks are still to be found. For example, today I have returned from a 200km round trip, where I had arranged to buy a Ford V8 engine and gearbox for $100.00. The shame of it was that the engine, which was in a 'Monkeyface', made us feel like a pair of monkey faces too, beacuse it would NOT bloody well come out. We know that the problem rested with exhausts and a clearence problem, but had to call stumps at 1815hrs due to poor light and two silly, tired, and generally stuffed buggers past their prime.
The owner of the Blitz is a dear old guy who has around 6 part trucks (Chev & Ford) which I can pick bits from. None are in too good of condition, but I need lots of the small stuff which he has plenty of, and look forward to a good chat with him anyway, so who really cares if it takes 3.5 hours to
NOT get the engine out. Really wanted it brought back today, but did bring a consolation prize of perfect seat, radiator (no idea they were so heavy until today), carburetor, fan blades, air filter and generator. Basically, all the bits we had to remove to start hoisting engine.
Oh, the seat had to be removed because I kept having to lean over it and it really S%&T me!
I won't be able to retry removing engine until after newyear now. We'll get it the next time though, just need more sunshine, a grinding wheel and energy from me!
My good lady wife is trying very hard to tolerate all the scavenging trips and incessent truck talk, though you
can tell when the novelty has worn off. I don't think I will be any more popular when she sees that as consequence of todays' trip, I have deposited rust powder and scale on the rear floor of her 4WD, and grease/dirt on the centre consol fabric.
I had fully intended to photograph all the trucks todays host had around the property, but ran out of day and hands were probably too greasy to push the button anyway. Next time.
One remarkable thing which has only struck me today, is that EVERY bolt I undid for removing the engine, came away without more than a 'tweak' with the spanner, and from then on they were unscrewed with fingers. Only exception was one engine mount bolt, that had 1/3 rusted away. That came easy with a cold chisel and two strikes (Thought it was 3 strikes and you're out!).
Time for bed now. 2 x pain tablets prior, for aches and bruises. Photos in P.M tomorrow.
Tony B.
