Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[mafiamike]

hi tony long time no speak i have been away , working for quite a while ring me on 0414978196 about parts required maybe we can arrange a swap
reguards Mike

[hrpearce]

I hope your postie is fit it weighed in at almost 11Kg.

[Private_collector]

G'day Robert,

Thanks for doing that for me! I am very grateful for the effort you have gone to, to help me out.

Dont stress about the postie too much. Remember, amongst other things, I have had a new flathead crankshaft delivered via post. If that didnt cause a rectal prolapse, nothing will . And if it did.......well, I didnt hear about it. Mind you, it would explain the small pile of poo I found near the letter box one day.

Mike,
PM sent mate.

[Private_collector]

Well, its been a while since I have had anything to write about. Probably still isnt anything of great interest, but here goes.

The transfer case is almost finished, but I found an issue with excessive load upon the bearings once the freshly made main gasket was installed. More correctly, issue found upon tightening the bolts joining the two halves of the box. I know what needs to be done, and have possibly got the materials required to make a thicker gasket. Knowing it's only a minor job, and dreading scraping the old gasket off (used sticky gasket sealer), I have shown no motivation to attempt the task.

I did finish the fake battery I had started on some months ago..........or is it years? Anyhow, its done. I put it in place last weekend. In discussion with a fellow member & friend, I think I will NOT put a new battery inside that case, in favor of placing a reasonably heavier duty (and larger) battery in the tool box, with the live cable splicing into the one coming from the fake battery. A sealed, maintenence-free battery will eliminate any problems with gases building up inside tool box.
Fake battery completed.jpg Fake battery 1.jpg

Also been plugging along with a plan to make a replica artillery piece to drag behind the truck. Took a number of dimensions from a piece standing outside a local RSL hall, and with the basic proportions kept in mind.......I commenced making a breech which is nothing like the one measured. Oh well, at least it will be unique! Planning on hiding most of the details beneath a canvas cover anyway.
20140202_191236.jpg Breech assembly open 1.jpg Breech assembly 2.jpg

On a more serious note:
I had hoped this year would be a considerable improvement on the old one, but alas, it is not. Another family tragedy is evolving and nearing its curtain fall. My Wifes Father is in terminal phase of mesothielioma and wont be coming out of hospital. I am sitting with him now in fact, passing the time of day, both of us probably feeling a little ackward with the long silences, but all too aware that anything not said within the following few days will remain unsaid forever. We once engaged in frequent discussions on my CMP progress, but those and many other topics no longer seem relevent.

[Little Jo]

Hi Tony

Welcome back on the forum. I have missed following your restoration program with great interest. Good to see you back on the bike. I know you have had family problems to deal with and all I can say is, hang in there, stay strong for the family and look towards the future with courage. You are in our thoughts.

Cheers

Tony

[Private_collector]

For those that don't yet know, my wifes father passed away two weeks ago last friday. He had fought an ongoing battle against mesothieloma for roughly 2.5 years. Average life expectancy after diagnosis is under 1 year. He was an extremely intelligent fellow, who had travelled widely in his life, and was a very skillful metal worker. His life ebbed away at 22:15hrs on 28th Feb, while in hospital. I sat with him, as it was my intention to remain at the bedside through the night. We knew he did have long, and I had promised him that he would not die alone. He is greatly missed.

Now that my mother in law is on her own, the decision has been made to sell the small family farm they had for some years. Today (actually yesterday, i'm writing this at 0340hrs), by request, my wife and I assisted in cleaning out the farms shed & workshop, and allocating what would be retained, sold, or discarded. A job I really did not want to do. It just doesn't seem right to be judging his life long posessions, and though I have been in this same situation half a year ago, it never sits well!

There were some very interesting things that my father in law had kept in his shed. Some years ago, I had given him my MIG welder, in thanks for helping my wife and I move from Brisbane to our current home. That welder has now returned to me once more, and I doubt it had even been used, because he preferred Arc welding. That niw brings my tally of MIGs to three. Its a long story, don't ask! In the processof sorting, a number of military items were uncovered. As nobody else has the slightest interest in militaria, and the items are not of financial value, I have asked to keep them. There are several documents from homefront WWII, including life insurance policies, letters from family in military service (not yet read), and a book of war savings stamps in VERY nice condition. The most unusual piece I found was a small, unopened package, containing a "Booby Trap, MK 1". The instruction sheet demands that it should be destroyed after reading, and is market "Secret". The device itself looks to be complete, and has a blank 303 cartridge included. I can't wait to investigate this further. Should imagine the trap is borderline at legal best!

On the farm, there is one of those bulk fuel storage tanks which sits atop a set of tripod legs, and fuel is dispensed by gravity alone. About 5 years ago, I had tapped on the side of the tank and discovered it was empty. About that time I realised it had never been used since my wifes parents moved there over a decade prior. I meant to enquire if they would consider selling it to me, to be restored and displayed at my place. Obviously, once my father in law became ill, it would simply be distasteful to make the offer, so that conversation remained unsaid. With the farm now being readied for sale, I have made the offer to purchase. Despite my protests, no money will be accepted and I am now the new owner of a very nice 100 gal fuel storage tank. Luckily the legs are able to be unbolted, so one day soon my son and I will lower it down to the ground for dismantling and transportation the sandblasters. I plan to paint it in a suitable military color and set it outside my workshop. I have ordered a period correct fuel company sticker for the side of the tank. It will be a nice addition to my increasingly military themed workshop area. It will also be a good sentimental piece and reminder of my father in law. He was one of only two family members genuinly interested in the progress of the truck. The other person was my brother.

I will post a couple of photos later today. Please excuse any typographical error in this posting. I don't have my glasses at hand, so may not pickup all mistakes before sending!

[Robert Bergeron]

Sir,

Please let me express the most sincere condoleances from all the contributors of this site to you and your wife.

May the passage of time help alleviate the pain.

Sincerely.

Robert Bergeron