Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

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The final piece arrived this afternoon, allowing me to finally finish a set of instruments.
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A good friend of mine swapped a spare set of pedals I had for some more instrument panels & two dashboards. One of the dashs still had the F15A data plates attached.

Unfortunately, both of the 'new' dashs (and one I already had) all have switch plates which have been....er.....modified where brake light isolation should be, on large plate, and some form of damage to small plate.

If anyone has a good set (or individual) Ford dashboard switch plates for sale, please get in touch with me.

I am hoping to purchase a quantity of ORIGINAL NOS Ford CMP dash switches, including the dual position fuel tank sender switches. The seller is not sure if he wants to part with them, but is considering!

Cab frame and floor plates are still with the sandblasters, and at time of my visit this afternoon, were still as I had left them! Am planning to discuss with the business owner, the possibility of him allowing me to do my own sandblasting on Saturdays. That way he won't be losing working time for his employee and I will get things done faster. Also I would know I could take my time but do a thorough job. It's hard for his guy to spend time+ on my stuff when it brings in VERY little revenue compared with their 'real' jobs.

[Private_collector]

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Removed these plates from the dashboard I am working on / painting tomorrow. The damage to bottom switch hole is a common theme across the few of these plates I have. I assume they are solid brass.

Vandalism, sheer vandalism!

I think the stamped ones look better than the printed or etched plates. I sanded them clean of layers of diffferent color camo green, one over the other. The sanding was really as test to see if I could spray whole thing, then lightly sand the high areas to reveal the brass for raised parts & leave black for the low spots. It works, but looks REALLY dodgy.

Were these originally just painted the vehicle color, or lettering highlighted?

[Private_collector]

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Found a better switch plate this morning and started repairing it.
There were two holes in the lower switch area where a strange looking thing was screwed into place, possibly a piezo buzzer?
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After exposing clean metal, I silver soldered the two holes as best I could. One came up OK but the other one was drilled right through the "ON" script, and I did best I could but didn't get the writing rebuilt properly.
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Once painted and attached, it doesnt look too obvious, but still catches my eye anyway.
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Switches are yet to be purchased. As per previous posting, I hope to be obtaining a set of correct ones...........any day now.......maybe.
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Is this hole original? All of my dashs have this same hole, in the same place, BUT the hole is not neat like all the others. It is quite jaggedy and does not look professional, though all these holes appear to have the aux power plug socket.

It was initially disappointing that I couldn't repair the enlarged hole in the smaller switch plate. This may actually be a bit of a blessing in disguise, because I did want to have a keyed ignition barrel so I could disable easily and better. Ironically, the 'buggered up' hole had an ignition key barrel in place. No key of course, and no wiring terminals. The plate says "IGNITION" & "ON" already, so it saves me the work of drilling I guess. I'm kidding, I could never drill through a good switch plate!

Are the data plates that attach to the top of dashboard meant to be aluminium finish or painted color of the dash????

P.S: The shiny screws on the small switch plate are only temporary.

Now to troll ebay for an ignition barrel (and key).

[Private_collector]

$(KGrHqNHJCsE7z+nQJCFBPFJRgeIE!~~60_12.jpg $(KGrHqZHJC!E7zBE+CK(BPFJR(Z,P!~~60_12.jpg $(KGrHqZHJ!4E7)t)J3+bBPFJRrky,Q~~60_12.jpg $(KGrHqJHJ!4E7)unSjIWBPFJSSNY9g~~60_12.jpg $(KGrHqZHJ!4E7)t)J3+bBPFJSCbT,w~~60_12.jpg
Just bought an F15 Spare Parts List for $41AUD.

God bless ebay............and patience!

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Attachment 46608 Attachment 46609 Attachment 46610 Attachment 46611 Attachment 46612
Just bought an F15 Spare Parts List for $41AUD.

God bless ebay............and patience!

Hmm, must have slipped under my radar. Was it on Oz ebay or overseas?

[Private_collector]

Ryan,

It was an overseas listing.

Heading for the auction was a very vague description and would not have been found under "Blitz", "CMP" or similar searches.

Luckily for me, I specialise in 'Vague"!!!

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Now to troll ebay for an ignition barrel (and key).

They did not have keys, just an ignition switch.

The F15 parts book is a nice find.

[Private_collector]

Hi Keith,

I should clarify, I am looking for a key lock to use in the enlarged hole (by a previous owner), as a way for disabling when unattended. It was a decision I came to, knowing that this particular switch plate could not be brought back to condition as manufactured.

It's one of a few modernising modifications to be done. Another is to add seatbelts when ready for that stage..................in 2023ish!