Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

Private_collector · #1 27-01-13, 02:53

To quote from the Bureau of Meteorology:

FLOOD WARNING FOR THE MARY RIVER
Issued at 9:43 am EST on Sunday 27 January 2013 by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane.

Heavy rainfall is continuing in the Mary River catchment. Further heavy rainfall of 75-100mm is expected over the upper catchment during Sunday.

At present, very strong river level rises and flooding, including areas of major flooding, are being observed across the catchment. Moderate flooding is expected at Gympie during Sunday, with major flood levels expected overnight with further rainfall. Major flood levels are also expected at Maryborough during Monday.

Upstream of Gympie:
Minor flooding and strong river rises are occurring at Moy Pocket and Dagun Pocket. Moderate flood levels are expected at Moy Pocket during Sunday. Major flood levels are possible at Dagun Pocket overnight Sunday.

Gympie:
Moderate flood levels are rising strongly at Gympie. Major flood levels are likely overnight Sunday based on the rainfall forecast.

Gympie to Maryborough:
Major flooding is expected during Sunday at Miva, with major flood levels at Tiaro rising further.

Maryborough:
Minor flood levels will continue to rise at Maryborough during Sunday, with moderate flood levels expected overnight Sunday and major flood levels during Monday.

Predicted River Heights/Flows:
Gympie: Exceed major flood level (17 metres) overnight Sunday.

Flood 5.jpg Flood 6.jpg Flood 7.jpg Flood 8.jpg Flood 9.jpg

Keith Webb · #2 27-01-13, 03:17

That's some serious rain, hope everyone is OK, thanks for keeping us updated Tony.

Phil Waterman · #3 27-01-13, 03:46

Hi Tony

Australian weather lately seems to be coming in only biblical categories, drought, fire, rain, have they scheduled the locus?

But seriously hope ever one is OK. Storms and natural disasters are really hard on the people who experience them first hand, our best wishes to all those impacted by them.

Phil

Private_collector · #4 27-01-13, 04:03

Hi Guys,

Yes, the weather has just been bizarre in past few weeks. We didn't have the fires that southern states had. I can't imagine the terror of living in an area where that is part of life, or knowing a bushfire is heading your way.

Rain has just stopped in past few minutes. We can't get out anywhere, but from first check around, it seems there is no damage from wind. Can't say the same for some of our relatively near neighbours. While I am not able to travel far, I can see that some properties are under water, including the homes. Looks like Gympie is gonna get a major flood again, with worst being tomorrow morning. Bureau forcasting bulletins are getting more dire with each new bulletin. If I can get into town tomorrow, i'll see if I can help anywhere.

For today, i'm using the reprieve to get into the shed & workshop, and check things in there. Torrential rain 1hr ago, and now he sun is trying to get his hat on! TV news is reporting flooding could be worse than seen in 60 years. Glad we built high up, let me tell you.

Just a couple of years ago, there were actually Locust plagues in the western parts of Queensland, so it does happen! I'm hoping we don't get the frogs or boils!!!!

I'll post any siginficant news as it comes to hand. Thankyou for your good wishes chaps.

hrpearce · #5 27-01-13, 05:58

Fortunately we have not had any majior fires in our valley yet but yesterday afternoon was spent on top of a ridge on lightening strike watch. Plenty of lightening hit the ground and only 0.75mm of rain.

Private_collector · #6 27-01-13, 06:05

Started work on duplicating the complex system of wiring in front mud flaps/spats. Several issues were made apparent on the first, unsuccessful attempt.

I knew from the start that the wire I had at hand was too thin. This fact was confirmed with the first attempt of layup. Bear in mind I have only seen two photos of original ones, and both of those photos were rather vague and did not show the upper portion where it is attached to the mudguard.
Mudflap first attempt 1.jpg
First, I tried to make the whole wire section in one piece. Not a great idea. Too hard to work with, and the thin wire I used did not have the ability to retain it's shape to the extent required. I feel this problem would remain, even with a more suitable wire. The bent section on the right, is where the join is. The red stuff is heat shrink tubing, which certainly holds the sections together, BUT one piece of wire must be over/under the other, and when this happens, the shrink tubing actually holds the wire in any shape it gets bent to. I.E: if you mechanically bend forward or back, it will stay in that position. It can't bend sideways once the canvas is sewn over, but could still bend for'd & aft.
Mudflap first attempt 2.jpg
Second attempt. Still same wire. This time I thought about making every wire piece individually, and recessing the ends into a piece of metal, which would be where the flap is attached to the mudguard. This could work OK, with thicker wire. Holes would be pre-drilled in the metal, (In this case, aluminium) for the attaching bolts, upholsterer would then place brass eyelets through the canvas and aluminium, once all sewing complete. The wire would be much easier to work with during manufacture, and any poorly fashioned sections of wire could be discarded without losing the entire work piece. I would look into securing each wire section to the aluminium with a form of glue. Possibly hot melt glue, no higher than level of surrounding metal, so it would not be visible once canvas sewn on.

On my attempt today, you see I have tried to make each lower corner a curve instead of the right angle corner that it will ultimately be. If I have figured correctly, the photos I have seen show a bar of metal across the lower part of flap, just below the end of the wire pieces. This will be copied on final build.

If anyone has any other photos of the structure of these flaps, I would love to see them. Would especially like to see the naked wire piece/s, to see if I am even on the right track. This is one of those occasions where the visual aspects must look correct, even though the actual method of construction could be vastly different from original.

mudflap detail 1.jpg mudflap detail 2.jpg
These are the two photos I have seen so far.

Private_collector · #7 27-01-13, 12:22

Went into town this afternoon, to get a look at what's happening with the water there. Took a few photos on the way.
P1110076.JPG
I posted this photo of Bells Bridge, showing the flood level in January 2011.
Flood 13.jpg
This is the same bridge today. Compare the 100km/h speed sign in both photos!
Flood 12.jpg
Another road on the way into town, which always goes under with a decent rain spell.
Flood 15.jpg Flood 16.jpg
These are in Gympie itself. More to come.

Private_collector · #8 27-01-13, 12:51

Flood 17.jpg Flood 18.jpg Flood 19.jpg Flood 14.jpg Neerdie Rd eroded.jpg
And this is, or at least WAS the quickest way home from town. Good ole council decided to raise the road surface. Original surface was a concrete sort of causeway that often had water over it with heavy rain. The road builders decided it would be best to add gravel to raise the level of road, then pave over that. The water decided it didn't fancy the new road surface and thought it best to remove it all. Did a good job with the removal too. When the water is running over the road (as it obviously was today) you cannot see what the road surface is like beneath the water. Another very good reason NOT to go through a flooded road. Tell your friends! No doubt there would have been some heroes that attempted to cross this when flooded. Wish I was there to see their faces when they hit this hidden gem.

Schmucks! Thought the guys in this photo were thinking about doing just that. They did look like they were considering it for a while, but I think our presence put them off. Perhaps they didn't want any witnesses to the stupidity.

Arthur Morel · #9 14-08-15, 08:00

Hello would you be able to get detail photos and dimensions for front and back mudguard canvas

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Started work on duplicating the complex system of wiring in front mud flaps/spats. Several issues were made apparent on the first, unsuccessful attempt.

I knew from the start that the wire I had at hand was too thin. This fact was confirmed with the first attempt of layup. Bear in mind I have only seen two photos of original ones, and both of those photos were rather vague and did not show the upper portion where it is attached to the mudguard.
Attachment 54443
First, I tried to make the whole wire section in one piece. Not a great idea. Too hard to work with, and the thin wire I used did not have the ability to retain it's shape to the extent required. I feel this problem would remain, even with a more suitable wire. The bent section on the right, is where the join is. The red stuff is heat shrink tubing, which certainly holds the sections together, BUT one piece of wire must be over/under the other, and when this happens, the shrink tubing actually holds the wire in any shape it gets bent to. I.E: if you mechanically bend forward or back, it will stay in that position. It can't bend sideways once the canvas is sewn over, but could still bend for'd & aft.
Attachment 54444
Second attempt. Still same wire. This time I thought about making every wire piece individually, and recessing the ends into a piece of metal, which would be where the flap is attached to the mudguard. This could work OK, with thicker wire. Holes would be pre-drilled in the metal, (In this case, aluminium) for the attaching bolts, upholsterer would then place brass eyelets through the canvas and aluminium, once all sewing complete. The wire would be much easier to work with during manufacture, and any poorly fashioned sections of wire could be discarded without losing the entire work piece. I would look into securing each wire section to the aluminium with a form of glue. Possibly hot melt glue, no higher than level of surrounding metal, so it would not be visible once canvas sewn on.

On my attempt today, you see I have tried to make each lower corner a curve instead of the right angle corner that it will ultimately be. If I have figured correctly, the photos I have seen show a bar of metal across the lower part of flap, just below the end of the wire pieces. This will be copied on final build.

If anyone has any other photos of the structure of these flaps, I would love to see them. Would especially like to see the naked wire piece/s, to see if I am even on the right track. This is one of those occasions where the visual aspects must look correct, even though the actual method of construction could be vastly different from original.

Attachment 54445 Attachment 54446
These are the two photos I have seen so far.

Private_collector · #10 14-08-15, 23:45

Sorry Arthur, the only photos I have are those already posted at the time. My dimensions could be considerably out from original specs. I'm happy to take more photos and neasurements of the pair I have made, so long as you are aware they are my interpretation only.

If anyone else can provide Arthur with more accurate specifications or additional photos, please post them. Thanks folks