Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

The pins I had bought were either oversize OD, or there are at least two sizes. My set was too snug. The set yet to arrive are the correct OD. Not expecting to need to, I hadn't measured the pin size before I bought the first set.

The need for new crank is primarily due to the new piston rods, which have a locked individual bearing each rod, whereas the old one has lubrication holes for the old style rod bearings which were floating bearings of one pair for the two rods coming from each journal. Old crank = one oil hole per journal, New crank = 2 holes per journal. Use of the earlier crank with my 8BA rods would result in potential oil starvation to the rod bearings. Potentially a diabolical situation. Most of that I expect you would already know, and I write the above information more for clarity of others. As to what differences exist between Ford 8BA crank and the French ones, I am not aware of any physical differences, but the advantages of brand new crank VS old, shagged out one, is what I am thinking about. And for the French block, I might as well get the matching crank. Rumor has it that the materials were better quality anyway. That, and they are quite inexpensive at this time, with the best price found so far, being around the $200-$250 mark. That is price bought from USA. Shipping adds $$$ of course, which will always be the case regardless of which one I buy. Have not found anything comparable for sale new in Australia.

[Lynn Eades]

Tony I have sent an email. I still have many un answered questions about these seemingly simple engines.

[Private_collector]

Just bear in mind you have emailed someone even simpler than the engines!

[Private_collector]

Bought a good bumper yesterday. The bumper bracket attachment holes will have to be relocated because it's off a Chev. Compared with straightening one of my other ones, that's a piece of cake!

Also bought a driver side NOS tie rod end.
NOS Tie Rod End x1.jpg
Also got what I believe to be a gallows bracket. Vastly diferent from mine though. Entirely different mounting setup.
Gallows bracket 1.jpg Gallows bracket 2.jpg Gallows bracket 3.jpg

The chap I bought these from also has a couple of boxes of handed wheel studs for sale. There are a box of L or R threads, with a box of 20 costing $100. He also has wheel nuts to suit, but I didn't check if there were L as well as the R nuts. If interested, send me a PM, and I willsend you a name and phone number.
NOS wheel bolts & RH nuts.jpg

[Grant Bowker]

I'm curious whether you considered making a new bumper. At least in Canada, the correct section of steel (for Chev bumpers) is still available.
Advantages of making new - straight, clean steel to work on, no need to fill in Chev holes and drill Ford holes, preserves the Chev bumper for others.
Disadvantages - not "vintage", might cost either more or less depending on how the Chev bumper was priced (collector or clear it off the property).
I helped Bob Carriere make a new Chev bumper and it wasn't difficult.

[Private_collector]

G'Day Grant,

Yes, there might be steel stock still available. Not yet checked beyond local suppliers, who can't help. Will still be a while before I am ready to add bumper to chassis, so who knows what may surface in the meantime.

At a farm auction I attended late last year, there were two 6 metre (20ft) lengths of aluminium channel which were an almost perfect match of bumper profile. From memory, there was a 5-6mm difference in height, that I wouldn't have been too worried about. We left before their lot number came up, but I have since fund out that they went for $600 for the pair. Ouch!

Considering the changes I am making to the engine, I could have easily overlooked aluminium for front bumper.

[Keith Webb]

I recall years ago when Tony Wheeler was looking for steel channel for a bumper the closest profile was 6" x 2" which was half an inch too deep.

[Keith Webb]

Also got what I believe to be a gallows bracket. Vastly diferent from mine though. Entirely different mounting setup.

Tony what you have is a LMG gallows mount from a Wireless Sigs van.

[Private_collector]

Cool!

Anyone have a good one for a 'normal' CMP that they wanna swap for this one?

[Private_collector]

In the past couple of weeks a very sad situation has been evolving. Last Thursday, my Brother underwent a radical resection for a malignant brain tumor. On Monday, Mother and I were informed by the neurosurgeon that the tumor had been examined since the operation, and was found to be a glioblastoma, one of if not the most agressive tumors. Knowing what it is, and despite the removal of the bulk of the tumor, my dear Brother has now been informed that the condition is fatal. He does not have very long to live now, and will only be going home from hospital for a brief time. The expectation is that he will be admitted to his local hospital in coming weeks, or possibly even days, and will have round the clock assistance until he passes away. Our 86yo Mother, and indeed myself, are absolutely shocked at the speed with which this has occured and we are heartbroken. With that in mind, I will not be attempting any further work on the truck for the forseeable future. It has no attraction to me now. While all this is unfolding, my priority is to assist my family to any extent that I am able.

I will not be continuing this restoration, nor making any postings for an undetermined period of time. There are a couple of MLU chaps that I am still attempting to find things for, and that will remain the case. I will contact those members when the goal has been achieved or if all avenues have been exhausted. Either way, I promise to get back to you.

There is no doubt in my mind that you all are wishing well for my Brother, and I thank you in advance and take that as read. There will only be one outcome with this dreadful circumstance, of that there is now no doubt.

Thankyou, and despite not being a religous man.........bless you all.