Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Cabin 1.jpg Cabin 2.jpg Cabin 3.jpg Cabin 4.jpg Cabin 5.jpg
This afternoon I decided it was time to do a test fit of some cabin parts. The seats, floor plates, windscreen support and lower engine hatch are not bolted in place as yet. The rear panel is bolted loosely, and will be tightened down properly tomorrow. I initially expected to need it removed for floor bolt access, but if I sit in the engine space, every floor bolt can be tightened without removal.

The rear panel has a slight forward lean of 3mm. This sounds small but would be enough to foul the door when being closed. Shim material has been cut, in case the lean remains once tightened, though it may pull into correct position without needing this.

Seats each have a thin strip of rubber attached to the bottom of the frame, so it doesn't scratch the paint

[Private_collector]

Rifle & Clip 2.jpg
I am pleased with the look & function of rifle clips. The felt stops any contact with painted surface, as I had hoped. Bloody good thing I did it too, because the metal strap band on the SMLE would have been damaged & taken the paint straight off the clip!

As Rick said 3 days ago, the rifle butt does not sit flat at the bottom. I am concerned if all pressure is in one place, the rifle may get damaged with the bouncing of the truck, so once the blocks are made for the butt to sit in (I know what you're thinking, don't say it!), I will add a layer of thick felt to the inside of the base. There is a 7mm thick material that Podiatrists use, called simply "Podiatry Felt", surprisingly enough!. It is adhesive on one side, able to be carved or shaped with knife or scissors, and the correct profile can be made with this. You can also use it to take pressure of corns or bunions on your feet, just in case you wanted to know

[hrpearce]

Felt shouldn't be out of place, my but holders are tin rectangles with 10mm of felt riveted all round and in the bottom to cover the bolt heads.

[Private_collector]

Were those metal boxes a Chevrolet item, or was it 'luck of the draw' which trucks got them?

[hrpearce]

as far as I know it is an after a certin date thing as I have seen pictures of Chevs built before mine with the wooden but holders.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi

Here are some photos of the rifle clips on my 1942 Pattern 13 C60S.

As mentioned the cup is sloped to be deeper at the back. I've got dimensions if anybody wants me to post them.

Now a question, what do you do for units using the No5 Mark I (jungle carbine)?

Cheers Phil

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi

Here are some photos of the rifle clips on my 1942 Pattern 13 C60S.

As mentioned the cup is sloped to be deeper at the back. I've got dimensions if anybody wants me to post them.

Now a question, what do you do for units using the No5 Mark I (jungle carbine)?

Cheers Phil

Thanks Phil
Yes, I would be interested to see at least some of the dimensions from your blocks. Bob recently sourced a NOS butt block that was smaller than the dimensions published in Convoy Magazine several years back and some old and weathered blocks are yet other sizes. (Bob's NOS didn't have a drain hole but Convoy dimensions one and some of the weatherd blocks have one.)
I don't know if this is a case of different contractors working to different dimensions or different designs for different uses or just sloppy manufacturing but you would think that at least the inside length and width of the block should have been standardized along with the spacing for the mounting bolts. The mounting spacing does seem standard but other aspects vary.

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Were those metal boxes a Chevrolet item, or was it 'luck of the draw' which trucks got them?

Both Chev and Fords built in Australia used the steel ones, not sure when this started, or whether it applies to all Australian assembled vehicles.

They have a high tendency to rust because the felt conveniently holds water against the steel.