Robert Pearce Starts to restore

[Col Tigwell]

I do not need to tell you are a lucky man.

Lovely wife and children, lovely shed and view, and all those lovely trucks you will be able store in the shed in due course.

I presume you will concrete your ladies garage floor, and how kind of her to let you share the space.

That sand blasting outfit, I do not how she resists you with that on.

Seriously you have done a great job, unless one has built a shed you cannot understand all the detailed work, thrills and danger involved.

Regards

Col

[Mike K]

Looking good Robert , I mean the Blitz, not you . Just a kind word on the sand blasting. I had ago at it when doing the C8. I blasted most of the bits , but I wouldn't do it the same way again EVER. It's probably the most hazardous thing for a restorer to do in many terms . The loud air noise from the nozzle can damage your hearing permanently . I had a similar setup to yours , with 50 cfm a VW powered compressor .

For larger bits like chassis, axle housings and stuff I am going to the local chap here. By far the best bet, is a cabinet , for the smaller fiddly items . You can knock a large cabinet together from cheap plywood , or whatever you like . There are plans and ideas on google .

http://www.ford-trucks.com/article/i...g_Cabinet.html

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/buil...net-44167.html

One guy lined the inside with canvas, this helps to absorb the sound and the blasting media tends to not bounce around off the canvas . You can use those long welding or gardening gloves and PVC plumbing rings to make the 'hands' . Some of them have fancy dust exraction devices . Another guy , used an old fluro light sitting on the lid , for lighting .

The little single phase compressors , are generally not up to it, waste of time . Its just physically not possible for them to make enough air .

Mike

Mike

[aj.lec]

Hello Robert
Congratulations on your progress

Be very careful using straight sand when blasting
make sure you have a very good respirator under your helmet and a good air supply
natural sand has a high silica content and when broken up and the dust breathed it can lead to silicosis (very nasty respiratory problem)

[hrpearce]

Yes Col I am lucky and the shed will be cemented as funds become available. I still have to dig out 500mm of red clay out of the top bay and build a retaining wall on the house end. Power points and lights will most likely be next.
Mike I am working on an almost non-existant budget so I will plug along with what I've got. Late this afternoon I added a two cylinder compressor from Dad's shed to my sngle cylinder they are connected to a 60L air tank and this setup is keeping up with me. Another problem with using a profesional besides the money is distance 120Km to the nearest reliable one. Dont worry about my hearng 25 years on chainsaws before I bought my first set of ear muffs means I hardly hear the air.
Andrew thanks for the warning I'll grab the resperator out of the chemical shed before I start again.

[hrpearce]

I drove the Blitz out of the shed yesterday for it's first degreasing, one or two more needed . It's quite tricky using your left foot on the accelerator rod beside the water pump and your right foot for clutch and break, next time I think I'll strap the 20L drum seat too the chasis as it was a little unsteady in the paddock . With over half the muck off I have located loose bolts and some missing screws on the engine but the worst is the back of the gear box it's going to take a lot of fixing The old muck covered some nice suprses so more skills need learning

[hrpearce]

Some more parts arrived n the mail today, that finishes looking for secondhand parts for now, a fiew new seals when I go to wagga next and work can recomence.

[hrpearce]

I fitted new plug leads today making it look a little tidier I also soaked the timber from under the cab in linseed oil. Thee is still a trace of paint on the timber.

[hrpearce]

I had a free afternoon after a late lunch today so I painted the piece of cab timber Next I gathered samples of the seals and bolts I need to replace as we go to Wagga on Thursday. Last I tried out my new toy, a poor mans pressure cleaner, it works quite well. I sprayed the part with degreaser then turned it on it uses a lot of air but verry little water. Hopefully it will work even better when I can use the higher pressure water line from the creek, just one more tap to fit now the weaher is worm enough to play in water.

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by hrpearce

Some more parts arrived n the mail today, that finishes looking for secondhand parts for now, a fiew new seals when I go to wagga next and work can recomence.

Robert

They look like Ford clips. The Holden made ones have a wider curve. Still they will fit.