Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Keith Webb]

The front radiator shroud is a one piece item which is held in place by the grille - the bolts go through the grille and then shroud and then into the front shell. You sort of have to 'wangle' it a bit to put it in through the aperture. Its inner edge conforms to the shape of the front of the radiator to ensure it does it's job of funnelling all the air through the radiator and not out through the sides. The rear shroud which attaches to the back of the radiator then ensures the fan draws the maximum amount of air through the cooling tubes. It's also a handy thing for the fan to rub on very noisily when the radiator out of alignment.

[Private_collector]

Cheers for that info, Keith.

I don't have a rear shroud. I let one slip through my fingers several weeks ago. It was a bit pricey for me at over $100!

[Keith Webb]

You'll find one if you keep looking, I'm sure. It has a cooling system plate on the top with instructions on draining the system.

[Private_collector]

Some time ago, I promised to take & post some decent photos of the wonderful tribute to our Military Personnel that is the Memorial Lane, off Mary Street in Gympie.

As Cliff has previously indicated, the nature and extent of the murals are believed to be unique. If similar exist anywhere else, I have not heard of them! In addition to murals, there are a number of plaques remembering the dead of all wars from The Boer War up until present, with most recent addition being the tragic loss of Corporal Ashley Birt, who was serving in Afghanistan when he was killed.

I have started this thread in:
"WW2 Military History & Equipment"

The thread won't be hard to find

[Private_collector]

All is on track to have engine hatch and pedal plate painted tomorrow.

Do I dare entertain the idea of getting welding & bodywork done on the nose panel!?!?

We'll know soon enough, though I should note that I won't be breaking any speed records tomorrow. I hurt my back when I bent down quickly to select a rock to throw at a vicious dog that had snuck under one of my boundry fences. I injured my back but I did land the shot corectly!

Don't get me wrong, I really like dogs....................but I could never eat a whole one :-)

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Tony

Though you probably have thought of it, as you work on the nose take a look at each of the panels as they are attached to the frame work. Look for panels that are in position but have broken spot welds or have separated away form the frame. (I'll post some pictures of the problem soon) I have discovered on both of my Pat 13s that this was a problem it has a number effects; one water leaks, two noise, three heat from the engine compartment. They used a tar like sealer on many of these that over the years has dried out and fallen away.

Also when it comes to mounting the nose there are a number of places had gasket material.

Keep up the good work, enjoy reading your progress updates.

Cheers Phil

[Private_collector]

Thankyou Phil,

The nose had been blasted many months ago, and I had asked them to weld several areas also, for exactly the reasons you indicated.

Here's where the problem lies: When I asked them to weld, I hadn't yet bought a welder and did not expect to do so in near future. They did as I had requested, BUT remember I had sent panel there to be blasted. Because it was 'au naturale' when it left my hands, I didn't know that the panels where headlights attach had filler below each headlight hole. So when they welded, as per my instructions, they had in fact secured both front panels in a position that I would later need to have adjusted!

Thats a long winded way of saying I have to cut welds, move areas of those panels forward (maybe 1/8in only) to avoid need for the masses of filler previously used.

Moral of the story: Don't get ahead of yourself. I was young then, now i'm much wiser

I plan to spray certain areas underneath with a body sealer also.

P.S: Did you see I did actually get back to you re dimensions for the rifle butt cups? It was maybe a week of two ago.