Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Driver side tank painted 3.jpg Driver side tank painted 2.jpg
The second fuel tank is now painted. I'll put the stencils on some time during the week, as always, weather permitting. I nearly put off todays painting due to high wind speed.
Vac Booster during 1.jpg
Remember I was intending to send the vac booster shaft & valve assembly for restoration down south? I made a thorough check of that part today and found the valves were in PERFECT condition. No perishing to the rubber seals and no corrosion to the inside of the tube or valve shaft. All it needed was a little cleaning! I did instal a new set of seals on the plunger itself. Had them soaking in oil O/N.
Vac Booster finished 1.jpg
After I painted the front cover and linkage fork, I reassembled the entire unit and connected it to the workshop vacuum (appropriate!). It works excellently and smoothly. I found when I held the fork end up and actioned the valves as if braking, it could lift its own weight and another 2-3kg besides (added some other parts and tried again). If fact, when trying to forcefully restrain the plunger from moving, I found I could NOT stop the action! That'll do me
Finished parts 1.jpg
Booster now added to the 'clean' pile of parts.

[Private_collector]

Vac Booster valve mechanism 1.jpg
There are actually two more things needed to finish the vacuum booster. I broke the retaining clip that locks the valve action mechanism, and will have to make a new one.
Vac Booster adjustment end.jpg
Also, there should be a tiny little rubber boot here, to stop dirt getting into the valve shaft. I have NEVER seen one of these, even a rotten one. I have seen some attempts to make do with a crude canvas replacement, but i'm no fan of that, so i'll head off to the local toy shop during the week and see what thay have for R/C vehicles that can be used here.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Tony

Have you check with your friendly motorcycle shop for a throttle or brake cable boot? Mine came from the brake cable of a 1978 Yamaha 125 Trail bike if I remember correctly. Boot is about 2" long but can be cut down.

As for the used the little tiny hair pin style carburetor linkage clips.

Cheers Phil

[Private_collector]

Phil, That's a grand idea!

I will look into that tomorrow.

Thanks,

[Howard]

Tony, check your PM's
HH

[Private_collector]

Just completed a 'birthday' order for MacsAuto parts, including the battery hold down thingy. Mostly brake stuff. Those bits will be going onto the chassis ASAP, that is once I get it back and paint it.

I love the current exchange rate!

It is looking quite possible that I may do the blasting myself, in the engineering co. booth. I can do that on a Saturday when they don't normally use the blasting booth.

Won't be this weekend. It's the Gympie swap meet. That must come first!!!!

[Private_collector]

Today I went to 2 motorcycle shops and 1 bicycle shop, in search for suitable dust boot for front of vac booster. The bicycle shop were helpful but had nothing suitable, despite looking through a number of storage locations for me. Strike #1

One of the motorcycle shops was staffed by some unkempt, tattooed, greasy haired, gap toothed old crone who was not interested in being any help at all once she ascertained I wasn't there to buy one of their crappy imported quadbikes (Chinese built, of course). Strike #2

The other motorcycle shop had a guy that was too lazy to check what was available and insisted the boots would only come as a set with the applicable cable, no matter which brand of manufacture. Not at all helpful, and couldn't seem to grasp the concept that it was for something other than a cycle. He strangely had a face quite red in color. Not sure if he had tremendously high blood pressure, embarrased about his apathy, or got horribly sunburnt somehow. Whatever the cause, it was redder than a smacked arse! Anyhoo, no joy there with the part request. Strike #3

Then it occured to me, just wait until the Gympie swap meet, this Saturday!!
If I don't get something suitable there, i'll be very surprised. Must wear a hat! Learnt my lesson from the motorbike shop guy