Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

Keith Webb · #1 27-11-10, 21:54

Hi Tony

Despite not taking the engine with you it sounds like a thoroughly good day. I enjoyed reading your well-told story and completely understand the lack of photographs!
Just as well you didn't try to get the engine into the rear of her four wheel drive or it may have been your last trip there.

Private_collector · #2 09-12-10, 08:57

I will be away from tomorrow until December 23rd.

No progress on workshop construction. Certifier has reported my council requre additional $190.00 for "Fire Assessment" because I live in a 'moderate fire risk' area. This cracked me up then made me angry......there is nothing to burn within at least 40mt in one direction, and 50mt in other. I have emailed them, asking exactly what they fear may happen to a STEEL shed located in a 40mt stretch of neatly mown lawn! Perhaps they are concerned in case of nuclear blast and subsequent firestorm! No option but to pay of course, but I did get partial stress relief from sending very sarcastic letter on the subject.

Excavations and concrete slab will have to wait until we return, or more correctly, when the contractors return from holidays.

I hope to get some good photos of Pearl Harbour, which I will post when back.

As Douglas McArthur said in his farewell to the troops.........................Farwell Troops!

Private_collector · #3 25-12-10, 23:48

Now back from holiday, and willing the rain to cease. Nothing useful achieved with workshop construction. Wet weather has stopped the site from being levelled. I can go get a trailer load of bits of my recent purchase of F60, but the parts will need to stay on the trailer until shed is completed. Covered with tarpaulin of course.

Our time in Hawaii was wonderful, and I didn't want to come back. Locals were so easy going and friendly. Took massive amount of raw video footage from USS Arizona memorial and USS Missouri. Both sets have now been cut into a DVD of 60min duration. I have posted a few photos below. Photo quality is average, as video camera has ability to take stills, but with reduced quality.

PIC_0032.JPG PIC_0036.JPG PIC_0035.JPG

PIC_0098.jpg PIC_0081.JPG

The last photo shows the minute damage sustained from a Japanese kamikaze attack. The airecraft hit the side rail first and then broke up before it hit the ships deck. They left the damage unrepaired. Pilot was given military burial at sea.

Private_collector · #4 01-01-11, 13:22

Returned home with a box trailer full of Ford Blitz parts. Can't do anything with them just yet, but brought em home.

It never ceases to amaze me how ingenious/rough as guts, some people are. Eg: One of the side steps I just got has one 'made' bracket of box steel welded to the part that bolts onto the chassis. Unfortunately, as it is not the regular curve of correct part, the other (good) bracket has had a block of 2x4 added above it so they are approaching the same (incorrect) height. When I first saw that it really cracked me up! Suddenly I don't feel bad about my standards any more.

Among the bits I got today are two usable seats, but they don't have any of those little twisty 'eyelet' things that the canvas work attaches to. Can anyone enlighten me as to the correct name of these fasteners, please? I want to order them, but don't know what to ask for.

Also looking for a canvas supplier, to obtain correct thickness for seats and side curtains.

Private_collector · #5 04-01-11, 09:34

Just received two Trico wiper motors from U.K.
These are NOS, having never been opened until the seller released one from its 68 year tomb to be photographed for sale. I am reasonably sure they are suitable for Blitz. They certainly are Ford, and part number is C-01-Q-17505.

P1050055.JPG P1050056.JPG P1050057.JPG
Is anyone able to confirm these are correct type, as per original?

P1050060.JPG P1050058.JPG

Is it just me, or is there a certain kind of beauty in 1940's military packaging!

P.S: Anyone able to tell me what the correct wiper arms are, or have a photo I can see?

Euan McDonald · #6 04-01-11, 13:55

Hi Tony,
Give Ross Prince a try as I have got a couple of sets of arms from him with the nuts and blades.

Bob Carriere · #7 05-01-11, 03:53

http://www.perfectfit.com/15334/Comm...Fasteners.html

Pretty unimaginative name for a little twistie doomajig..... is this what you are looking for...... boat cover suppliers should be able to help you out...

Bob

Mike K · #8 02-05-11, 11:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Took massive amount of raw video footage from USS Arizona memorial and USS Missouri.
Attachment 39109 Attachment 39110 Attachment 39111

Attachment 39112 Attachment 39113

While in Tassie in 1991? I made a drive down to Hobart to see the Missouri. It was on it's way home from the first gulf war. US sailors were see around Hobart, most of them looked about 18 years old. Not sure if that was before the terrible accident when the turret exploded.

Mike

young man emu · #9 02-05-11, 12:18

I have been doing my C15 for year now .
But its all good fun.

Private_collector · #10 05-05-11, 12:47

Mike,

That would have been the last time it was in our waters, i believe.
I used the footage I shot to make a 70 min DVD, covering Arizona memorial, Missouri and the Ford island museum of flight. Oh....nearly forgot....ARSE....GIRLS....FECK!

Bob,

I have already made decision to put two stays on the frame. Picking up the tubes this weekend, and my father in law is going to weld brackets. He doesn't know yet though! The box steel for the uprights are sleeved for added strength and are set 700mm into concrete base.

Y.M.E,

Nice truck! Everything i'm doing right now is just filling in time until I get a F60 rolling chassis back home from Brisbane. That's the one I want to start on.

Private_collector · #11 03-07-11, 10:59

Today I made the last trip to my Ford chassis, in readyness for the trip home via tilt-tray, later in the week. Former owner got it to front of his property, and the rope he had used to 'hold' rear axle on reportedly snapped in transit, so he re-roped the axle.

I'm not quite as brave ??? as he is, so I removed rope and chained all together. It only has to last one load/unload on the truck transporting it home, so I am confident it will be OK.

I'm begining to have second thoughts about using this particular chassis, due to former owners efforts in shortening the length. I'm not at all convinced that all the cross members can be reinstalled for a satisfactory appearance. Time will tell and I will take a better look once home.

I may try to find a better chassis, so if anyone knows of a suitable substitute for sale in south east QLD, let me know!

Greenbank Ford 1.jpg Greenbank Ford 2.jpg Greenbank Ford 3.jpg

Could you imagine a couple of bits of rope holding the rear axle in place? Neither could I. I must give credit to Matt Baker from Ipswich, QLD, who educated me on use of a "dog" for securing chains tightly in place. First truck I bought was from him & Suzann, and the day I arrived to trailer it home, he asked me if I had any 'dogs. I thought it was a bit odd that he would want to know about our chocolate Labrador! Now know better.

Truck expected to be home here by the end of the week.

P.S Anyone wanting a rather heavy boat anchor, I can provide you with a VERY rusty & buggered Ford flathead block. You'll see what I mean if you look closely at the pics with this posting :-) I appologise for image size. Not yet got hang of resizing images to upload.

Mike K · #12 03-07-11, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Mike,

Oh....nearly forgot....ARSE....GIRLS....FECK!

.

YOU FORGOT ..DRINK

DRINK