Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

Private_collector · #1 01-02-12, 11:36

Still waiting on a decision from a friend, regarding correct CMP dash switches. In the meantime, and working on worst case scenario, and I have ordered modern toggle switches from local supplier. Simple 'bat' handle ones. They will do until correct ones are obtained. I went to the local Dick Smith electronics store, and after I searched the store I was told they don't "do electronics parts" any more. Whats happening to the world when DS Elecs stop selling resistors, diodes, switches and a whole heap of other stuff I don't know how to spell? Come back Dick, all's forgiven!!!

Anyhow.....the Ford F15 parts manual arrived yesterday. Bloody good read though it smells like once owned by a chain-smoker. Small price to pay.

A new starter switch was ordered and arrived earlier in the week. It is a much thinner construction and ever so slightly larger in the body in comparisn to the original. I'm not too impressed with the feel of button when pushed either, so it won't be used. I'll keep looking for a NOS one.

A keyed ignition switch has been ordered from USA. It's sole purpose is to allow power to be switched on/off, to give piece of mind and greater security.
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On Sunday I made this wheeled (castored) frame to put the cab base on. The blasting has been on hold while we were experiencing the recent wet weather. Cab base and floor panels should be ready for me this Saturday. I hope to get it under paint on Sunday, all going well. Will need to do some bumping to both wheel arches first, to level several very small dents made from the inside. Possibly ill treatment from some farmer in last 50+ years, but I prefer to think they are caused by the hob nails & steel plates from a soldiers boot!

The cab 'dolly' will have two rails placed on the little cradles at top of the uprights. Cab base will sit on these rails while I work on it & assemble cab back, doors, dash, windscreen frame and nose panel, etc... When ready, it will be hoisted onto chassis as one piece, using the rails as lifting points.

I have had some success with refining a method of having dash switch plates which are both truck color and have black highlight detail in the appropriate areas. It's lucky I have a second 'bad' large plate to play with and get this right. This is still a work in progress. The photo shows a trial of primer with black over. Primer being the substitute 'green' color, of course. I wanted to see what the black areas would look like if surrounds sanded, and also how the whole thing would look if I wanted to sand right back to brass with just the black detail. It's not a pretty picture, but is only for experimentation purposes. Will be stripped with thinners & done again in the true method.

Private_collector · #2 05-02-12, 11:03

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This afternoon, I took some time to remove old paint & rust scale from the cab rear panel. Prior to stripping, I could feel many wavy areas and feared what I may find once surface cleaned. The majority of the 'wibbles' were actually the spot welds, therefore not as bad overall as I expected. The trolley for cab base has come in handy as a good support with great accessability to both sides, while dents are being beaten. I was hoping to have the cab floor on this trolley today, but I didn't get time to retrieve it from sandblaster on Saturday.
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These holes for the rifle holding bracket (upper) seem to be intentionally recessed. Are the bolts for these similar to floor bolts? The proximity to top of the panel suggests they may have been recessed so the roof panel would sit over them. Is this correct?
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This is the remains of the twisted wire cup I used to strip the paint. It was about 85% when I started. I broke the last few strands as I removed the final square inch of crap. I believe I got my moneys worth out of it! Have found these stripping wheels work exceptionally well, if a little scary to use.

P.S: The black color is etch primer. Once dents are repaired, it will go to sandblaster. I am hoping not to need filler on the repairs. Time will tell!

Private_collector · #3 09-02-12, 20:22

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Well........now that the auction is ended and I have won it, I can tell you about this great piece of Ford history. A book which seems to have been presented to the workers of the Ford factory, as a token of thanks (see the photo of letter).

This book has ALL THE ADVERTISEMENTS Ford had published, apparently.

I have been sweating on this auction ending, for the last few days. There were a number of other bidders, but I feel this book is so rare now & so significant (especially with the original letter still with it), that I had to have it at any cost!!!!

The following is from the auction listing:

FORD OF CANADA IN WARTIME produced by The Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. It is a rare book put out by Ford Motors of Canada containing the Ford institute advertisements art prints.As far as I can tell it was never put up for sale commercially, but given out as gifts. The original letter found just inside the cover is on Ford letterhead and dated August 12, 1946. Obviously typed out on an antique typewriter. Letter is Signed (by fountain pen) by W.H. Clark: G.S. , Personnel Manager.Collection of Advertisements published from 1941 to 1943, used to both inform and maintain moral. Published in a reduced size from the original Ads and brought together in book form. The written content is action packed and full of statistics of the mechanized war. See the following quotes:

"Thousands upon thousands of modern fighting machines - artillery tractors, gun carriers, lorries, transport trucks, mobile workshops and other vehicles which make the motorized column a self-contained fighting unit."
(from The Empire moves..on wheels!)

"But there comes an anxious moment when the Tank Commander heads the land battleship for a pre-arranged "harbour" to get supplies and ammunition. With enemy air-craft overhead, enemy scouts prowling on all sides, camouflage is quickly thrown up and protective guns placed in position." (from Rendezvous Under Fire!)
Includes: List of War events by yearOver 40 Action Art Prints with advertisement content for Ford V-8 Mercury engines
Great Wartime action art prints depicting battles, factory and lab settings, nurses, infantry, big guns, bailey bridge and Soldiers under fire, etc.

Sorry folks...................you let this one slip through

Keith Webb · #4 09-02-12, 20:42

Tony the pics are all missing - perhaps you can scan and upload some yourself, would love to see them.

Private_collector · #5 09-02-12, 20:53

Are photos there now? I restarted and they are showing here!

If not, that's probably because I have been up for hours, watching the auction slowly ticking to an end

Keith Webb · #6 09-02-12, 21:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Are photos there now? I restarted and they are showing here!

If not, that's probably because I have been up for hours, watching the auction slowly ticking to an end

Yes, they're there now, must have been some sort of glitch.

What an excellent find, well done!

Richard Farrant · #7 09-02-12, 22:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private_collector

This is the remains of the twisted wire cup I used to strip the paint. It was about 85% when I started. I broke the last few strands as I removed the final square inch of crap. I believe I got my moneys worth out of it! Have found these stripping wheels work exceptionally well, if a little scary to use.

Hi Tony,

I use a lot of those twisted wire brushes, and will never use one without a full face screen and glasses. The amount of wire strands I have had that goes through several layers of clothes makes you realise how dangerous they are, but very effective.

regards, Richard

Private_collector · #8 10-02-12, 01:28

I know what you mean!

I have worn a number of the strands in my legs, while using the wire cups.
Wearing long pants don't make a difference, and too hot for leather apron.

I have a large wire cup that goes on a big sander/grinder/polisher, bit I haven't had the nerve to use it yet. I did try it on and run the sander, but the noise the cup of that size makes is quite terrifying!

Ken Hughes · #9 10-02-12, 05:13

Hi Tony,yes the rifle mount screws are the same or close to it as the floor countersunk screws,looks like its comming on well.

Private_collector · #10 10-02-12, 05:42

Thankyou good sir!

Private_collector · #11 11-02-12, 14:33

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Got my parts back from sandblasting. Floor plates don't look too bad with all the crap off them. Quite pronounced pitting in places, but most of it is beneath the seat locations and won't stick out badly. Underneath of the plates are nearly perfect.
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As soon as I collected the bits from sandblaster, I headed to the local and well stocked nuts & bolts shop. I bought 40 of the correct profile bolts and nuts to suit. It's a shame I didn't count the holes before I went. I will actually need in excess of 60 for floor and fuel selector valve. Oh well, I won't get that far tomorrow anyway.