Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Fired up the better MIG this morning, and did that welding I needed to get done. Played around a bit first, getting all the settings right. Damned pleased I did too, because it took me a little while to 'un learn' the technique I had been using on the other, crapier welder. This one is sooooooo much better! Never had a misfeed, didnt have to suffer that horrible continually live handpiece, nor did it sound like it was a microwave running on defrost! Excellent machine. And I can finally buy the wire in sizes larger than sewing bobbins.
Breech Block primed.jpg
The breech block is now under primer, with a first coat of blade putty applied. I had not yet applied the putty at time of taking this photo. Tomorrow I will sand that back and see if I need to apply any more.
Front Drive Shaft & Jack Shaft.jpg Front Drive Shaft parts.jpg
With that done (anti-climax, really) I turned my attention to blasting some driveshaft parts, including the pieces Robert had sent me. The blast cabinet was constipated, so I emptied all the medium out from the hopper, and intended to clean the cabinet & strain the grit. Then I remembered I had bought a hand held spot blasting gun, so I used that to do the job instead. Only problem was that within 2 minutes I had completely changed color, to a nice hue of Garnet (The mineral that is, not the Warren Mitchel character). Another 15 min of work and everything was primed, ready for painting at next opportunity. Wouldn't dare have tried applying color today. Quite windy, and rather chilly. Not painting weather.
Front output shaft from Transfer case.jpg Oil seal retainer, front output.jpg
As one final gesture, I did a test fit of the recently arrived flange...thingy..that the emergency brake drum is attached to. Fits beautifully. I found an issue with the oil seal retainer plate and coresponding bearing cup where the gearbox shaft goes. The bearing cup does not fit in the transfer case sufficiently deep enough for the seal plate to fit as it should. The bearing is definately in as far as it can go. The shaft turns OK, with no slack or strange noises. This little problem has me scratching my head. I really do not want to disassemble the case a third time. Only other way around it is to apply an extrordinary amount of shims, and thats just a cowboy fix! Has anyone come across this before? All bearings & cups are new, and all others sat in the correct positions and did not need anything more than just a single gasket +/- a thin shim. Buggered if I can work it out!

Oh, I nearly forgot......May the 4th be with you. :-)

[Private_collector]

Started assembling a couple of driveshafts this afternoon. Ruined the first one! While tapping in one of the end caps, the universal body moved down a little too far, and one of the rollers that sit inside the cap fell down on the top of the spindle. Didn't realise until I discovered I couldn't push the cap in properly. Cap couldn't be retrieved, so I had to cut the uni, destroying it entirely. Never had that happen before. I'm tempted to blame the LNP Govt., but really it's just my stupidity. Too late in the day. Brain had already knocked off. The body should have as well. Words were said!

Am hoping to get the transfer case into the chassis tomorrow afternoon. The problem with painting something nicely prior to installing is the obvious fear of paint damage.........often becoming the reality of paint damage. After scratching my head a bit, I came up with sleeving the chains in some of that foam tube that goes over roof racks. The local foam shop has it, and i'll get some tomorrow when in town.

Bought a set of tool cabinets yesterday. Been wanting those for a long time. Supercheap has a special on (OK, I know they ALWAYS have a special on) and I couldn't resist. Now I will have somewhere for all the tools I have inherited from Dad and my Brother, Darryl.

The new sandblasting guys came through for me again. I had sent some tapered metal tube (an old light post) earlier in the week. He did say they would be finished by end of the week, and they were. Exceptional work.......again. Wish the current owner bought the business long ago. I wouldn't give business to previous operator. Didn't like his attitude.

Still trying to find the time to disassemble the fuel storage tank I have been given. Maybe tomorrow morning. Maybe.