Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Jacques Reed]

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

Here's a pic of the original set up Tony. It's handy having a few reference vehicles in the back yard! I believe the bend in the RH engine pipe is to prevent it fouling the diff housing, just like the cutaway in the front crossmember. However it sounds like yours passes even further back near the drain plug...?

Hi Tony W and Tony B,

Just catching up on reading the MLU posts.

I have attached photos of what I believe is a section the the original exhaust pipes at the engine. This was attached to my vehicle but had been cut off short and a new section added to the rear to the muffler by the previous owner. Interestingly the new section was 2" pipe swaged to fit over the remnant of the exhaust pipe and it too kicked downwards as it does in Hannos's photo and the photo I posted a while back of an original one at Bandiana Army Museum.

It seems to concur with Tony Wheeler's photo and Hanno's photo of the entire pipe.

The crossover clamp is the same as used on Jeep exhausts so is readily obtainable.

Hope this is of some help.

Cheers,

Jacques

[Private_collector]

Thanks for that, Jacques!

I do still have the metal caps, bu they are worn from friction against steel.
I'm not aware of anywhere the rubber seals are to be found, and I know from experience that the ones Macs stock are far too small. They have evaded me this far, on any of the auction sites too.

It's my turn again to have major computer problems with the home laptop, so the photos I have been trying to post, showing the battery box I have now received, have not yet been uploadable. My IP is working on this problem, but not yet able to cure it.

When I got the battery box, I had a very pleasent surprise. What I had originally thought was just a piece of black perspex used to hide the 'modern' battery inside the original, was far more useful. When I turned it over (the side NOT shown on the ebay listing), I found the previous owner had attached the two original lead cell connectors, as well as three battery cell caps!!! The caps aren't right, but the lead strips are exactly what I was wanting. I plan to try and make a plaster mold from the best one, so I can make more at a later date.

Thanks again, Jacques. I'll write to you privately, this evening.

[Private_collector]

I do enjoy the occasional surprise, but only one in my favor.
My battery case arrived today, and it's just brilliant.
I couldn't resist the by now fully expected 'trial fit'.
Fills the space beautifully.
Empty battery 1.jpg
The surprise came when I turned over the plastic top panel, which was shown on the ebay auction, looking like this....
Empty battery 2.jpg
..........and it looked like this on the other side. Cool!
I had been looking for a pair of the lead connectors, and now they found ME.
Empty battery 3.jpg Empty battery 4.jpg
I originally thought that plastic piece would be something I would throw away, because it's not how the top should look. When I turned it over and saw the cell connecting lead bars, terminal felts, and cell caps WERE ALL THERE, I nearly fell down dead. I won't actually be using the cell caps. Have ordered a set with Ford script on them, but I will most certainly re-use the lead connectors, but not before I make a couple of plaster moulds from them though. Someone put a lot of effort into trying to fake a top cover for this battery. Unfortunately...........it's not convincing.
Empty battery 5.jpg

[Shane]

Hi Tony. This came off my Ford cab 12
dont know if it is of any use to you.

20130926_150451a.jpg 20130926_162649a.jpg

20130926_162710a.jpg

[Private_collector]

Cheers for the pics, Shane.

I have downloaded them (finally) and will see how mine compares.

From first impressions, yours looks to be smaller pipe. Maybe it's just the photos, or maybe it's just my vision.

I'm gonna drop into an exhaust shop tomorrow when in town, to see what they may have in stock that is reasonably close in sizing, to the original.


All going well, I will start work on the transfer case some time over the weekend. I'm really hoping it's a straight forward job of cleaning the case and replacing the seals, gaskets & oil. Not that I actually believe it will go that way!

[Keith Webb]

Shane's exhaust system looks correct. Don't let the muffler place be lazy and do what is easiest, ie running twin pipes!

[Private_collector]

I have been trying to upload these photos since yesterday. Internet playing up again.

Did some work Sunday on the replica top for the newly acquired Ford battery case. I cant attach any parts to it yet. The cell caps you see here are not the ones I will be using. The Ford caps have not arrived yet, so I worked with the ones that came with the empty battery case. Each cap will be attached with a small bolt, and be removed if needed in the future. The lead cell connector strips cleaned up fairly well, and have had several coats of clear poly paint. They will ultimately be glued in place. Before that can happen, the top will be permanently joined to the case, and black sealer will be run around the edges and between the individual cells, like they would have been originally. I dont have the lead cable terminals yet, but they have been ordered. I do have a pair here now, somewhere, but as usual cannot find them when I want them. I will surely stumble over them on the day I receive the ones I have just ordered.
New Battery top 2.jpg New Battery top 3.jpg New Battery top 4.jpg


Started on the transfer case yesterday.
Transfer case unrestored 1.jpg
Pulled the shifter tower and selectors off. They cleaned up really well, but lack the gear selector lever. that was lost before I bought the vehicle. Took the front axle drive part off and it was stuck fast. Should have taken the lack of oil inside as a very bad omen! Did manage to free it up easily, and although I can't get a good look at the bearings, it turns freely and without grinding or free play in any direction.
Transfer case primed 1.jpg
Got a nasty surprise when I removed the oil drain plug. Nothing came out, unless you include the thick jammy sludge and red grit that clung to the inside of the box. OH DEAR. I had naively hoped (but not really expected) that I wouldn't have to pull the two main body halves apart, and just replace the oil. Talk about an unrealistic expectation! The shafts do turn OK, but I expect (now) that there will be internal parts that need replacing, beyond the usual bearings, seals & gaskets of course. Still, one step at a time, eh?

[Ganmain Tony]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

Shane's exhaust system looks correct. Don't let the muffler place be lazy and do what is easiest, ie running twin pipes!

But by geez it'll sound marvellous!!

[Nathan Clark]

Tony i may have a shift lever for your tranfercase here. I picked up a half cut blitz couple of weeks ago that all running gear was intact. Ill have a look tomorrow and get back to you. We only wanted the engine and the carrier radiator it had in it so every thing else is not much use to us. It was a shame that someone with sticky fingers had recently removed the data plate so its anyones guess what the back half of the truck was
Regards, Nathan

[Private_collector]

Originally Posted by Ganmain Tony

But by geez it'll sound marvellous!!

I do like the way you think, GT.

Better stick with the one pipe though. Will probably have to compromise on the muffler anyway, but thats as far as I will go..................probably!