Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

Private_collector · #1 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 · #2 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 · #3 03-07-11, 12:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Mike,

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

.

YOU FORGOT ..DRINK

DRINK

Private_collector · #4 07-07-11, 10:09

The chassis is finally in it's new home. Under cover for the first time in over 15 years. This is the day I have been waiting for 8 months to see.

I was going to use a particular tilt-tray hire company, costing me $385.00 for a journey of approx 250km. Considering I had quotes for up to $900.00, that's quite reasonable, I think. They were to do the job tomorrow, BUT another company I had enquired of phoned me this morning and said they could retrieve the truck for me today, and I gave them the go-ahead. The cost was $350.00 only. Let me tell you, it's not often that things fall into place to my financial advantage.

The money wasn't an issue, as I have enough $$$ to last the rest of my life......provided i'm dead by Monday lunchtime!

I met a very nice gentleman at Hervey Bay yesterday, who specialises in WWII vehicle parts. I wasn't expected, and just dropped in on way back from somewhere else. Despite lack of notice, he was very gracious and showed me some of his stock. My god, what an inventory he has. In one location, while looking for windscreen frames, he walked past a number of tyres standing in a row. Amongst other sizes, he had five 11.00 x 20" and they were for sale at $250.00 each. These are exactly what I need, and I have since phoned him to say I will arrive tomorrow and take all five. They are not brand new but not very far from it!

I have named the Blitz "P.O.B", which is for "Poor Old B@#$@%D".

P7070010.jpg P7070022.jpg P7070011.jpg P7070015.jpg

See anything wrong with this wheel?
P7070012.jpg
Just one example of bodging, I will need to undo.
I couldn't resist trying the wheel nuts (not split rim ones), and only two wouldn't turn with simple knock to unstick. They are holding fast, despite heating with the gas. A good lick of diesel over coming days, and further gas should do the trick. Wonder what a breaker bar is worth!

gjamo · #5 07-07-11, 10:35

Tony read this before you fire up the gas axe.
http://www.mirmgate.com/index.php?pa...&tyregateId=44
Graeme

Private_collector · #6 07-07-11, 11:02

Graeme,

Have just read the link you provided. Thanks. I'm not sure about some of the terminology they used, but I undertsand that 'Pyrolysis' is bad, as is using flammable sealant. My piddly little butane torch wouldn't even get a color change to the nut when I tried it earlier. I would much rather use a good breaker or geared nut wrench. That was even before your posting, and more inclined to after seeing it. I am always nervous using gas torch, circular saw, etc. I saw my father lose the top of a finger from a moments lapse in concentration while using an electric planer. With his usual sense of humor (after a paragraph of expletives) he told me if I could find the finger piece, I could keep the 'tip'! True story.

Do you think I could use a nut splitter? I have been wanting to try using one just to see how good they are.

Lynn Eades · #7 07-07-11, 13:02

Pyrolysis is covered also in a U tube video clip under a title something like "wheels of fire", maybe Bridgestone. Every person that ever gets involved in these sort of projects should be aware. Pyrolysis is a sneaky but real killer.
There doesn't have to be a fire inside the tyre, it is just a reaction of heat and pressure. there is no visible evidence of it happening prior to the explosion.

Tony, new sheds look great dont they. They're only like it once. Clean walls, No sh*t hanging every where.

Private_collector · #8 08-07-11, 10:59

Tyres bought
P7080023.jpg P7080024.jpg

Wheels blasted & etch primed
P7080027.jpg

Lower engine hatch blasted & repaired
P7080028.jpg

Grille blasted, following previous reworking of mesh.
P7080029.jpg