Willanthry Chev Blitz C60L Restoration

[Willanthry]

Yesterday, I managed to score the presence of the great John Mackie for a day to aid in my restoration. Myself, my father Glen and John spent yesterday pulling apart the spare engine we acquired with the Blitz, to see what sort of condition it was in. As you can see from the photos, one of the valves has been left open, and because the engine has been in the open for so long, water has slowly but surely infiltrated one of the piston sleeves. However, using John's expertise and honing tool, we've given her a bore out, and may be able to get away with it. The rest of the engine is in magnificent condition; the crankshaft is in amazing condition, all the pistons are fine apart from the number 2 piston, which has suffered from it's inundation, and we may be able to clean up this engine and get it running ourselves without too much undue expense. Lucky eh?

As you can see, we also scored rain yesterday, hence our makeshift shelter out the front of my dad's shed...

[Willanthry]

Well, the work on the radiator is finished, and i'm extremely happy with it. The core is fine, the radiator didn't leak even before we got it done up, the tank has been beaten back into shape and it's come up very nice under a coat of paint! All in all, very happy indeed!

[Willanthry]

I received the word from the people i bought my Blitz from that the canopy frame that belonged to the Blitz had been transformed into...a bird cage! Thus, in the interests of keeping the Blitz as original as possible, i acquired the canopy. The catch, of course, was that it was in the condition that you can see in the photo below. After a day's work and much cursing, my dad and i freed the canopy, and we've got it home.

Also, i'm posting a couple of pictures of the extra spare tyre carrier on my Blitz for a member of this site named Peter.

Does anyone on the site know which way around the canopy goes on the tray, out of curiosity?

[Mike K]

Truck 3 ton Garage.. The trailer is just for interest ...its a seperate item.

[gjamo]

You may get some clues off this frame with the rear door still attached.

[Willanthry]

Ah, those are great photos! I thought that the end with the dog-legged poles must go to the rear, but i wanted to be sure.

[Euan McDonald]

Originally Posted by gjamo

You may get some clues off this frame with the rear door still attached.

Hey Graeme, does the frame in your pic have a home as I am in the market for a frame on my F60L.

[Max Hedges]

Euan I have a spare one here
Max

[Howard]

Originally Posted by Willanthry

Well, the work on the radiator is finished, and i'm extremely happy with it. The core is fine, the radiator didn't leak even before we got it done up, the tank has been beaten back into shape and it's come up very nice under a coat of paint! All in all, very happy indeed!

Toby,
Who did your radiator, and how much?
HH

[Phil Waterman]

The Pioneer Kit mounted above the rear wheel sort of surprised me. While common to US equipment of the period I don’t remember see these mounted on CMPs. Was this a common thing, or was this an example of equipment moving around either in ones and twos or we had a shipload of them and decided to use them?

Cheers Phil

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

The Pioneer Kit mounted above the rear wheel sort of surprised me. While common to US equipment of the period I don’t remember see these mounted on CMPs. Was this a common thing, or was this an example of equipment moving around either in ones and twos or we had a shipload of them and decided to use them?

Cheers Phil

Some were mounted like that. Here is two photos, one from the AWM which show pioneer kits mounted on the sides of cab 12's. Note both are different setups.

[Willanthry]

G'day Howard

Bob's Radiator Repairs in Griffith did my radiator, and they did it for a price that amazed me; $150, not including GST.

[Bob McNeill]

Dont want to hijack this thread but nearly all the unit had pioneer tools fitted, even the guns had pick and shovel. the tool rack fitted to U.S. vehicles was carried over to the Acco and is still fitted to Mack,s and Mog,s.