Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

A google search has not been helpful in identifying any businesses nearby (~200km will do) that can do chemical stripping of engine block and heads.

Try some hot rod shops Tony, I'm sure there'd be a few in Brissy. Those guys know flatheads inside out, unlike most engine shops who rarely see one. Plus they're doing high performance flatheads so they're very fussy about blocks - descaling water jackets, testing for cracks, sonic checking wall thickness, etc. I believe most blocks can go out to 3 5/16" if required, and even 3 3/8" sometimes, so the pitting you mention is unlikely to require re-sleeving unless it's already well oversize.

If you do give it to a hot rod shop just make sure it doesn't come back like this:

[Private_collector]

Tony,

Yes, its sure important to be thorough with the testing and rebuilding. I enquired to a couple of the hotrod shops some months ago. They were both frightening with their costing. My engine budget will amount to roughly $5000 in total, including all parts and labor. Maybe financial tough times have not hit the specialist engine rebuilders, or perhaps they are used to customers with deep pockets. Mind, that was 2 places. It is quite possible that I had chosen the two most expensive shops in Queensland. I seem to have a habit of doing that in the past.

My engine has never been rebuilt before. Thats one of the positive things about it. All piston tops show the Ford logo and STD. Engine is pretty cruddy inside the chamber beneath intake manifold, though it is all congealed oil & light dirt contamination. Engine not been worked on before, but has seen its share of neglect.

About 14 months ago, there was a really good engine on ebay. It was even reasonably close to me (maybe 2 hours away, no more). It had been rebuilt by an older mechanic, and was kept mostly stock. Naturally I didnt have the money available at that time.

[ozm29c]

Hi Tony,
My best advice to you is to give Allan or Gav Walker a ring at Jacobson's Automotive Engineering in Bundy. 07 4151 3036. They are close to you and I believe that they are well qualified to rebuild/repair your engine. BTW, Alan and Gav are well known engine rebuilders in the Aussi MV fraternity. They also organise the Bundy Amphib swim happening in June (Although I have had no word if the floods may force a cancellation this year). Do I have some connection with them , Yes, at the mo' I am having my Studebaker Weasel engine rebuilt by them (just waiting for a NOS crank out of Europe) and somehow we got to talking about Ford V8's and Alan did say that they can be very expensive to rebuild. From past experience I would steer clear of Repco Engine shops. Good for mass reconditioning but not so good on specialist one off tasks.
Good luck with your end decsion.
Cheers
John W.

[Private_collector]

Cool, thanks John.

I'll give em a ring during the week, for sure.

I would never trust REPCO for anything. I would rather go to Supacheap than Repco, and that's saying something. You know what R.E.P.C.O stands for?? Rip Every Poor.......never mind

Bundaberg is probably only a couple of hours away, and i'd rather go in that direction than into Brisbane.

[Private_collector]

Gearbox top end finished 3.jpg
After going to the effort of making a new reverse latch thingy, I found a good original one today while pulling another box selcetor set apart. All I wanted was one little spring for a selector rod ball.
Gearbox top end finished 1.jpg Gearbox top end finished 2.jpg
It took all afternoon, but the selectors, lever and cover are now finished.
Gearbox mount 1.jpg
Having done that, I went on to start cleaning up the rear trans mount. The seal is to be replaced, but the rest seems to be quite OK.
Second gearbox 1.jpg
The box that I pulled apart today seems to be a good candidate for use as well, so now I have a choice. I'll work on cleaning both until one shows more promise. Back to the manual for how to pull em apart.

The gear lever moves easily, but doesn't shift the forks as it should. When paint is completely dry, i'll take a look, it'll be something simple..........I hope.

[Private_collector]

John W,

I phoned that place in Bundaberg this afternoon.

Spoke with Gavin, and must say I was very impressed with the time he took to discuss my requirements. Some of the talk went a little over my head, but that is a reflection lack of knowledge on the subject.

It will now be up to me to strip the parts from the block, and I will take the stuff up to them for cleaning and initial evaluation on which parts need refurbishing or replacement. I understand they are booked for weeks in advance, but thats no problem, it will work out well.

Thankyou for sending me their contact details.

[ozm29c]

Hi Tony,
Glad to be of help.
Cheers
John W.