Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

YOU'LL BE SORRY.

Bob

[Private_collector]

Took some small parts to sandblaster yesterday. They came back a bit lighter!
Headlight bowls were the worst. I was aware of two small rust spot holes, but wasn't entirely ready for what I saw when blasting was complete.
They quite resembled a sieve. Fortunately, I had planned for this and had a plan to remedy.

Examples of the extent of rust damage.
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Using a tar based tape, the rear of bowls were treated with a layer over majority of the portion which will be largely unseen under the nose panel. While this is NOT my prefered method, I did not want to throw them away, even though I may have access to buy replacements. The tape will be sprayed with a 'stone guard' compound that should make the tape invisible. I will have to buy special spray gun for this step. Alternatively, a brush-on underbody compound would achieve the same result with less expense.
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You may notice areas of black already visible around edges. This is a bitumin based blade putty that actually dries to be tack free. I will be using this on areas I cannot apply the tape (eg: areas where I do not want to add extra thickness, so that installation will not be affected. It can also be used on inside of bowls because it can be painted without problems.

This is a quick before / after view.
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Will be purchasing the material for final step today and pictures of finished product will be posted when I can.

Tony

[Lynn Eades]

When you design it, and site it, with Bob's words in mind, allow for the forthcoming extention.

[Private_collector]

Thats exactly what I have in mind. No money yet, but extensions planned when $$$$ are available.

Guess I could fake my own death for the insurance money. I've only got third party though!

Tony

[Bob McNeill]

instead of grit try soda, much less damage, if you want to salvage the h/ light buckets have them galvanized then solder up the holes. good luck with the shed, no room for the odd spare part and the project.

[Ryan]

I recently finished my shed, a 11mx15m one and all I can say is that I'm already thinking of extensions which luckily I planned for.
Bloody Blitz's!

[Private_collector]

Hi Folks,

I have just now returned from a >200km shopping trip. Brought back a good Ford bumper, 2x headlights (complete with the trims) and a drivers side step which actually has the battery carrier still intact, though I will be using this carrier as pattern for new one. The step itself is far better than mine which was a bit chewy and needed some repair. I would have brought back a very good drivers seat and bumper shackles but I ran out of daylight before I could remove them! Whole lot cost me $50.00 and 2hrs of my time, helping to put a Nissan engine back together.

Re sandbalsting VS soda: there is a place in town that does do soda blasting, but I didn't get good 'vibes' when I contacted them. "It's just the vibe". I do plan to trial something with them and see what happens. Maybe something that I can easily replace. On the other hand, the engineering works that has done my sandblasting so far has treated me very well with both price and quality. They currently have my two mudguard front bits for repairing of major rust areas on part that was under the nose panel. The manager of the engineering company is restoring a 1942 "lendlease" Chevrolet truck, so he knows how important quality is, and is quickly learning the standards I expect. P.S: If anyone knows where he can buy a 1942 Chev truck bonnet, he would be elated, as his blew off the tilt tray when he was bringing the Chev home, and was never found!

You guys are begining to make me very nervous about shed size. Remember, its not about size, its how you use it! Besides, I can't afford anything better, at this point in time, but I already have plans for extensions on two sides with 'carport' type awnings which I can build myself, without great expense. You fellows must have more money than me, or have bigger mortgages. Ryan, you're right, BLOODY BLITZ'S, but you know their worth it. It's a special kind of sickness w/o cure, but many rewards.

I plan to start backing off buying parts for a while, until I have the shed built in January. Don't worry, I have some (many) bits put aside for me...........on a kind of lay-by if you will. They will still be there when I want to pick them up..........I think.

Anyway, I will be in Hawaii early December for around 2 weeks, and no point in having stuff laying around the yard while i'm away. If I can sort out international roaming on my phone, I might even post a couple of photos from Pearl Harbour / Arizona memorial. And before anyone laughs and points out the contradiction of lack of finances and oveseas holiday, it has been 20 years since we ventured O.S and is well due Besides, there's a family in Somalia who send me $28 a month so I should be O.K.

Thats enough for now. Will post some photos tomorrow, and hope the injury to my L) arm is not so painful by then. I strained it today, hoisting a Blitz bumper into my car (Ford KA-the bubble shaped thing). My wifes car is the good one and she wouldn't appreciate a rusty hulking thing over her seats, despite the tarp around it. I need to keep her onside for sewing the canvas for Blitz seats, and hopefully side curtains. She......er........doesn't know about any of this yet, so just keep it to yourself, OK.

Tony B.