Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

I was watching the evening news tonight, and heard that the original Shingle Inn cafe & tea-room has been relocated to Brisbanes City Hall building.
Shingle Inn.jpg
http://www.shingleinn.com/

http://www.shingleinn.com/shingleinnhistory.html

The Shingle Inn was a genuine Brisbane icon, originally opened in 1936, in Edward St. It was known to be one of the favorite hang-outs for Australian & American servicemen, while on leave during WWII. It was outside the Shingle Inn that a huge fight (riot possibly better description) occured between Autsralian and American servicemen in war time (don't know exact year, sorry). I know a lady that had worked at the 'Inn' and she was at work when the fight developed. Her description is a little vague now, she's now not far short of 90yrs of age, but i'm sure she will be pleased to hear that the 'new' Shingle Inn will have all of the original fittings and hopefully retain the atmosphere of the late 30s and war years. I don't think we need to reenact the fight though. Rather a poor display of comradeship, but Aussie soldiers resented the 'Yanks' for being around the place. Just as well they were, I say, or we might be in a whole different Australia right now!

Shingle Inn has been franchised since the 40s and by 2012 there were 30 stores throughout Australia.

I'll be down that way within the next two weeks, to get Fathers medals for Anzac Day. Must make a point of dropping in, and i'll take a few photos to boot.

[Private_collector]

The front end parts are awaiting sandblasting. Some, like the axle tubes, are too big for the rear of the car, so I can't take them until a Saturday when the business is open and able to receive the parts. The rest of the pieces have been in the back of the car since Monday. Too wet to deliver them Monday, Tuesday they were not open when I got there just after 1610hrs, Today was my late day so couldn't get there. Maybe tomorrow??? Virtually no chance of getting the bits back Friday, so this weekend will be a complete loss for front end work. Expected to be raining anyway.
Front axle halves ready for blasting.jpg Front hubs pre blasting.jpg

The last piece to get off the hubs was the old grease seal (National 35070). I managed to get both away with virtually no damage to the seal itself. The minor scratches would buff out easily, but it's getting replaced so I don't think I will bother with that!
Inner Hub Seal NAT35070.jpg

[Lionelgee]

It was outside the Shingle Inn that a huge fight (riot possibly better description) occurred between Australian and American servicemen in war time (don't know exact year, sorry).


G'day Tony,

In response to your being uncertain when "the Battle of Brisbane" occurred - there is a link which provides quite a bit of information about the event. Accessed 11th April 2013 from http://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/bob.htm

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Private_collector]

G'day Lionel,

Really interesting site you brought up. So much to read, I will do so thoroughly, tonight.

Thanks,

[Private_collector]

The welded front brake backing plate is now off, thanks to a little bit of grinding, followed by a bit more grinding and some sanding once the plate came off.
Driver side backing plate off.jpg Driver side steering, backing plate off.jpg Driver side steering, backing plate off 1.jpg

Following that, I got curious about what may lie.......lay......be hidden, under the sump of the engine. For some time I have been dreading the thought of looking, in case I find a rusted mass of useless metal parts. Fortunately that was NOT what I found. I had drained the oil many months ago. Upon removal of the sump (part way, to peek inside) everything looked to be in good condition, and it was obvious that the previous owner/s didn't pay too much attention to the oil change intervals. Thick sludge everywhere, but NO RUST!
Engine stripdown 2.jpg

Also removed the timing gear cover, and found the gears in good shape there too. Notice anything interesting? See the two bolts sitting inside the water entry to the pumps? Against my expectations, and contrary to what my Flathead Restoration Manual warned, neither of the bolts inside the water jacket broke when being removed! Yay!!!!!
Engine stripdown 1.jpg

[Keith Webb]

Good to hear your engine is looking good inside Tony!

In my younger days I pulled many flatheads to pieces for reconditioning while working for Hughes Auto Spares and fortunately never had any trouble with the bolts inside the water pumps apart from occasionally having to hammer on a slightly smaller socket when the head was a little too corroded to fit the correct one. The water seems not to get down into those threads.

Good luck with the rest of the engine, enjoying this unfolding thread.

[Private_collector]

Does anyone have any information on ball park prices fetched for good quality CMP Tool Box, the type that mounts immediately behind the cab, in line with the spare wheel carrier? I know I have seen a couple or these go on ebay in last couple of years, but for the life of me I do not recall how much they sold for.

Any input welcomed, gents.

[Robert Farmer]

Tony, have a look at this page
http://www.southerncrossmilitaria.com/whats-new.html
Scroll down near the bottom of the page.
Robert.