Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

Private_collector · #1 06-08-12, 11:19

Matt,

I have finally taken some photos of the part in question. It is currently in an ackward location under some stuff in my other shed, so I wasn't able to get photos from directly above. Hope these two are good enough.
Propellor Boss 1.jpg Propellor Boss 2.jpg
As you can see, two of the propellor blades have been snapped off at the blade root, leaving traces of blade as shown. The third one is completely gone. My guess is that the gap between blade remnants and central hub of the three blades is where the variable pitch mechanism would have been. There is evidence of this on one of the blade sides, but it is not visible in these photos.

As a reference to size, the object on left of photos is a motor mower catcher. The piece is sufficiently heavy that I can only lift it for a second or two. Two person lifting is not much better either. It took me several lift attempts to heave it up to my car boot. Was just as much fun getting it out too!

As indicated, this was given to me some years ago, and advised to be from a Boeing B-17 that crashed. I can virtually guarantee it isn't from a Cessna.

My plan is to incorporate this artifact in a memorial to WWII airmen. Especially those airmen that did not return.

Matt Baker · #2 07-08-12, 04:54

Hi Tony,

Very Interesting item and yes quite a heavy lump, I wonder if it may have originated from the Baker's Creek B17 Crash which i beleive to this day is Australia's Worst air Disaster. Just a thought ? It certainly appears to have Hit with some Force To shatter the Alloy Blades like that?

Cheers Matt Baker

P.S. Thanks for Showing us Tony.

Private_collector · #3 14-08-12, 11:58

Driver side step assembly 1.jpg Driver side step assembly 2.jpg Driver side step assembly 3.jpg
The driver side step/battery asembly is finished. The last bolts went in this evening. I'm relatively happy with the result.
Battery box base 2.jpg
It's certainly better than it was originally!

I am now looking for a correct fuel filter that goes on the step assembly too. The one I have could be used for cosmetic purposes only. It's eaten away inside with rust. Anyone with one of those to sell, let me know & we'll do a deal.

Fuel tank brackets.jpg
Also got a set of tank brackets ready to go on. One tank is with a panel shop in town & the second one will accompany it tomorrow. It has a very small rust out that needs brazing up.

No idea on expected return date for chassis, so I guess there will be more of the little jobs being done in the meantime.

Have moved on to rebuilding the steering box. Started stripping it down on Sunday.

Last week I ordered a new brake master cylinder from Rockauto in USA. It should be here within next week or so. Received an email from Rockauto this evening, with a discount code for next purchase/s. That will be the flexible brake lines. They have them all in stock.

Planning to make up the brake tubing for the rear axle this coming weekend. Have had the tube for some months, waiting for the right time to make em.

Still working on the fake battery top. Received an original cell cap with Ford script, which will be used to make a mould for more. Nearly finished the cast to make the lead cell connectors, but scrapped it because now that I have the Ford script cap, I decided I want 'Ford' on the lead strips too. That means making another casting, and more effort to incorporate the Ford script. Lucky i'm not in a hurry, so that's not a real problem.

I plan to remove the rear spring sets of my other CMP, and use those whole, provided I can get them soda blasted well.

Speaking of soda, I mixed a batch of caustic soda in a large bucket, and ran a few amps through one metal piece on Sunday. I selected the brake master cylinder & booster actuation assembly for this trial, because it's too fiddly to be done by hand. The results were EXTREMELY encouraging and rather dramatic. More so when you consider it was only taking a current for less than 6hrs! I'll clean that part off on Saturday.

Nearly forgot: Bought an early 50s Singer sewing machine Saturday, as I had been told by several knowledgeable people that the old machines are near industrial quality and capability. According to the manual accompanying the machine, it can sew multiple layers of denim, light plastic (? window sort like the side curtains), sail cloth and even overcoat material. It should manage two layers of canvas without problem, so I will be making my own mud flaps, side curtain bag (friend gave me the correct brackets) & perhaps even a sunshine roof if I dare.

Tony Wheeler · #4 14-08-12, 14:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Private_collector

The driver side step/battery asembly is finished.

Nice job Tony, that step plate is immaculate. Make sure you take your boots off before you step on it!

Private_collector · #5 16-08-12, 10:36

I get my two fuel tanks back from the panel shop this afternoon. They did good work and I will only need to apply very minimal filler to the areas they repaired. That & a couple of insignificant dents to be filled as well.

I have been thinking about the fuel filter that goes on back of battery box base. Would prefer one with a glass portion, so I can see any sediment or contamination, and remove it easily with the base plug out. There are a couple of suitable candidates available. So I may just install the original one in a cosmetic capacity, with the lines in/out going nowhere, but disappearing from sight. The 'real' filter could be hidden on opposite side of chassis rail (I.E: inward side & under cab). That way I get best of both worlds, modern functionality & original appearance on the visible side. This is looking the most likely way I will go.

Have sent enquirines to local (<100km) paint shops, asking about fuel tank treatment sets such as the KBS Fuel Tank Sealer Kit, which is a three part set suitable for tanks up to 100L. In this case, two tanks of roughly total size combined.

If I get an acceptable reply, I might be heading down to Nambour to buy same, this Saturday.

Private_collector · #6 18-08-12, 23:42

Scott,

Its difficult to see from the angle of their photo, but that does look like my original one. It's pricey, but it may be far less work to just buy one of those and be done with it. I'll save that page and go back to that when the time is right.

Any idea what shipping cost would be to Aust?

Thankyou Scott!

Phil Waterman · #7 19-08-12, 01:00

Hi All

One of the problems I have noticed with original fuel filter assemblies of this type, that have been used is that the shaft are often rusted resulting in a bad fit at the bottom of the filter element. With unfiltered fuel to leak around the element shaft. No easy fix that I have figured out.

Cheers Phil