Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

While at Canungra yesterday, I was given some very bad news relating to a lovely old gentleman (well, only 70yrs old) who had been a source of mine for a range of CMP parts. I was shocked to hear that this fellow had passed away a couple of weeks ago. For more than 6 months I had been passively trying to find the time to re-visit and show photos of my progress so far, and point out the particular parts I had purchased from him. While he has not been a very well man, I had no idea that he had recently been diagnosed with liver cancer. I believe he was in denial of his prognosis, right to the end.

A kind & friendly old fella, and he will be greatly missed. Don't put off visiting distant friends or family, they may not be there when you finally get around to the visit. to you old mate.

Hearing the sad news, I went to go see his brother today. He actually lives on an ajoining property. Over a cup of coffee, I was told that an auction was being considered for the remaining blitz wrecks that remained on the property. There are one or two that still run, but are rough to look at. The rest would donate parts, though none of those would be restorers in their own right.

Two of the trucks still have the doors on em, and those doors are in VERY good shape. Two are about the same condition as the set I restored for my truck, and the other two (there may be more I didn't see today) are in superior condition. I think this pair were Ford too!

I will post 5 sets of photos, starting here, to show these trucks and some other items which may be of interest. I hope some of the rare bits like doors etc end up surfacing for purchase, but thats not been decided as yet.

p1.jpg p2.jpg p3.jpg p4.jpg p5.jpg

[Private_collector]

This place has so many bits & pieces that you come across. The stuff is just laying in the grass, ready to bust a toe on.
p6.jpg p7.jpg p8.jpg p9.jpg p10.jpg

[Private_collector]

p11.jpg p12.jpg p13.jpg p14.jpg p15.jpg

Internet is very slow tonight. I'll do the remaining post on these tomorrow night.

Keith, the turrets sold at Corowa would number exactly 14 I believe. It was the same seller and that is the figure he mentioned taking there. Sold the lot.

Oh crap, I forgot to post something about finishing the steering box today I'll do that later too. As usual, it was a trilogy in four parts! Bloody thing

P.S: The sunshine roof is already spoken for!

Andy, email sent. Look closely at the photos too

[Private_collector]

Hey!

Whichever of the moderators made my new 'page' please put the "Sticky" back on!!!!!

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Hey!

Whichever of the moderators made my new 'page' please put the "Sticky" back on!!!!!

Relax Tony

You're posting so frequently your thread will stay on top of the page.

Hanno

[Private_collector]

I knew i'd come unstuck one day!

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Hey!

Whichever of the moderators made my new 'page' please put the "Sticky" back on!!!!!

There we go mate. Not sure what turned it off

[Private_collector]

p16.jpg p17.jpg p18.jpg p19.jpg p20.jpg

Well, thats it for photos for now at least.

[Private_collector]

Steering box now finished. I had originally chosen the best sector shaft & best worm gear shaft, but despite several attempts, I could NOT get them to work together without binding mildly in what would be roughly straight steering. Had a re-think and tried the other worm gear shaft. Bingo! Smooth rotation from lock to lock. When adjust fully, it is now possible to turn the worm gear shaft by twisting the sector chaft alone. These two parts had been a pair for 70 years and they still work perfectly together.

Assembled the box fully yesterday PM, after returning home from photographing those old CMP wrecks. Checked the assembly this morning and found some oil weepage from both of the bolt on plates. Very minor, but shouldn't be any leaking there at all, they both have brand new gaskets. Re-torqued the bolts this evening, for another check in the morning. I would hate to think I need to remove the cover plates for some reason
Steering box finished 1.jpg steering box finished 2.jpg steering box finished 3.jpg

Heres a small glimpse into the distant future.
steering system 1.jpg

The new sector seal was installed easily but painfully. With weather being so hot, I put the bare steering box in the sun, and the seal had gone into the freezer the night before. Upon removal from the fridge, the oil that seal was sitting in had turned thick, as thick as treacle! When I took hold of the steering box after sitting in direct sunlight for 4 hours, it was VERY hot. I unwittingly reenacted the scene from Indiana Jones where the bad guy grabs the medallion thats been in the fire. The difference being, the writing wasn't as clear on my palm......and i'm not a fascist nazi bully boy.

With the differences in temp, the seal could be tapped in easily. At least that bit doesn't weep oil.

[Private_collector]

Regarding the following photo sent by Darrin a day or so ago, exactly what is the machine gun? Wouldn't mind making a replica one.
MG turret installed.jpg

The frame that the turret sits on doesn't look quite right. Looks like the front 'triangular' frame attaches to the same location on far forward position that the gun is attached to (the location I have circled below).
mgt3 mod.jpg
If this were the case, it wouldn't be able to elevate.........would it?

[Private_collector]

Finally got the compressor into the repair shop yesterday arternoon. They closed earlier on friday, and I didn't get there before knock off time, so the damn thing has been in the back of my wifes vehicle all weekend. Not a particularly safe thing to be carting around.

Mike, I was very pleased that when I described the way the motor behaved during the fault, the repair shop guy said straight away that he thought it sounded like a capacitor problem. That is exactly what it was. Said part replaced, at minimal cost, and motor tested for any other damage, without further faults identified.

Another thing Mike was spot on about, my local hydraulic shop printed me a list of the bronze bushings available as standard (overnight) order. I didn't get to place order today because of picking up the repaired compressor, but will do this tomorrow morning. Obviously not tested the following bush sizing, but I am ordering a 3/4 ID, 7/8 OD, by 1" length. Will also order same with a 1 & 1/8 length, just in case the borderline fitting 1" size is not quite long enough.

So Mike, my thanks to you for alerting me to these two answers to recent dilemmas!

P.S: steering box gaskets x2 still weeping. Bastard. I will look for another type of gasket paper while at hydraulic shop tomorrow A.M. I'm worried now, because the same paper was used on jointing two halves of rear axle some time ago. Oil not yet put into the diff casing. Must do so prior to replacing axle onto chassis!

[Mike K]

Ah !

That is good news

I am a hobby machinist . I bought a ex school lathe and learnt how to use it by trial and error .. with more errors than trials If you need a special part made , I may be able to help you .

With those weeping gaskets . I wonder if you use Permatex gasket sealant . I think No. 3 Permatex is the non-hardening stuff. It's excellent stuff . It's available at most auto parts shops .

Mike

[Private_collector]

I am very excited to have found a photo of the exact CMP vehicles that belonged to my fathers batallion. It pays to check the AWM website periodically. New things added to the collections all the time. Bloody boring rear bodies they had!!!

096248.jpeg

[Keith Webb]

Looks like the steel GS dropside body.

Originally Posted by Private_collector

I am very excited to have found a photo of the exact CMP vehicles that belonged to my fathers batallion. It pays to check the AWM website periodically. New things added to the collections all the time. Bloody boring rear bodies they had!!!

Attachment 52902

[Private_collector]

Originally Posted by Mike Kelly

With those weeping gaskets . I wonder if you use Permatex gasket sealant . I think No. 3 Permatex is the non-hardening stuff. It's excellent stuff . It's available at most auto parts shops .

Mike, I bought some of that gasket stuff yesterday. No time to try until Saturday though. Damned if it dont smell like molasses!

[Private_collector]

Bloody rippa!

Disassembled the steering box again yesterday, and put it back together with fresh gaskets. This time I coated the surfaces of gasket & metal with lashings of sealant. This morning, I anxiously checked for leaks before leaving for work, and found NOTHING untoward.

Now, every gasket I replace will have this treatment. I have never used sealant before, but won't do any future work without it.

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Bloody rippa!

Disassembled the steering box again yesterday, and put it back together with fresh gaskets. This time I coated the surfaces of gasket & metal with lashings of sealant. This morning, I anxiously checked for leaks before leaving for work, and found NOTHING untoward.

Now, every gasket I replace will have this treatment. I have never used sealant before, but won't do any future work without it.

That is good news Tony . My neighbour uses that Permatex on just about everything , including head gaskets - but I wouldn't recommend it for that purpose . He even uses it on tubeless tyre rims , before assembly he smears a coating of it around the rim and it seals any potential leaks . I found that Its great for water pump gaskets , sump gaskets and timing covers too Mike

[hrpearce]

I've used locktite no.3 for years. I cut a lot of gaskets out of cerial boxes and have never had a falier. You can use it sparingly on shim packs also to get a good seal without adding thickness.