Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Mr Alexander Dyga - born 16 april 1923.jpg
This is Mr Alex Dyga, the 89 year old gentleman I spoke about in an earlier posting. Mr Dyga has been making the journey to Pearl Harbor each year on December 7th, to pay his respects to the fallen and work as a volunteer at the "Valor in the Pacific" Museum and USS Arizona memorial. This year he will be there for an entire month!. Mr Dyga is a delightful old gent who has had a fascinating life. It was one of the trip highlights to have met him!

[Private_collector]

Engine hoist.jpg
Bought an engine hoist this morning. Without one I wouldn't have been able to raise the front end of the chassis onto the stand. In retrospect, a second crane inside the workshop would have been worth considering. Never mind.
Chassis on stands 1.jpg Chassis on stands 2.jpg
Using the hoist, chassis is now resting comfortably on both sets of stands. Refitting of components starts tomorrow, after I return from town with a swag of fresh bolts. Can't install fuel tank assemblies yet because they need to be cleaned out with POR 15 fuel tank cleaning/sealing system. I don't have the $$$ for the kit yet, but already have some of the step 1, marine clean.
Front Axle Bump Blocks 1.jpg Front bump blocks.jpg
Remember these? I bought the new pair some time ago, to install them before setting the painted chassis onto the stand, thus avoiding paint contact and possible damage.

One quick question regarding starter solenoid: I have seen a couple of photos showing the solenoid installed with the push switch on bottom. I thought it would be at the top! With switch on bottom, the battery cable comes to solenoid without crossing in front of it and same for the starter cable. I would also guess installing solenoid 'upside down' might assist in keeping water/contaminants from entering the solenoid body. So in short, do I attach mine with switch on top or bottom??? Provided I know this tomorrow, it will be attached. Also bought a set of cables from battery through to starter motor. Got a whole heap of earth straps some time ago. They will start to be appreciated tomorrrow as well.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Finally, my ever growing collection of reference books and photos is starting to pay off.

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

So in short, do I attach mine with switch on top or bottom???

Definitely on the bottom Tony. Funnily enough I picked up a new solenoid myself today, I'll be fitting it to my F60L tomorrow.

[Private_collector]

Cheers Tony!

Mine will go on tomorrow now as well.

Mine came courtesy of So-Cal in Sacramento. They have supplied several small parts to date. Works out cheaper than MacsAuto, because I find Macs shipping is too expensive for single/small parts. I tried to obtain one of these while in Hawaii, at O'rileys and also NAPA. No luck with either.

Did get a couple of side mirrors and a length of speedo cable though. Not your stereotypical 'souvenirs'.

[Private_collector]

chassis reassembly 1.jpg chassis reassembly 2.jpg chassis reassembly 3.jpg chassis reassembly 4.jpg chassis reassembly 5.jpg

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Mine came courtesy of So-Cal in Sacramento.

I ordered 4 solenoids from So-Cal last week but they only had one left in stock. Macs are out of stock too. After much ringing around I managed to find a hot rod shop nearby which stocks Macs stuff, they had ONE solenoid in stock which I promptly grabbed! I still need two more to get my four running blitzes going again. The old rusty solenoids worked for a while but then died off one by one.

Given the difficulty in finding 6V solenoids in a hurry I shall definitely be carrying a spare when I finally get on the road!

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Tony

I know you are going to do this but, after my experience, thought it would good to post a general reminder to anyone reassembling a vehicle.

Remember the cable and tubing clips, to keep them routed where you want them routed. Don't forget the speedometer cable. I now install them as I install the wire, tube, etc.

In my hurry to drive my Pat 12 years ago I didn't get all of the clips installed, in particularity the speedometer cable. Which decided to shift, shorted out to the brake switch hot lead. The speedometer cable got hot and melted through the insulation of the battery lead to the starter. Then the whole mess got hot destroyed a two foot section of the main harness just above. Then to add insult to injury the whole mess tried to burn through the rubber fuel line above that. Fortunately I smelled something burning and disconnected the battery and disconnected the fuel line. Truck was parked in the shop at the time with the other two trucks.

The truck is really looking good, what more can you say it will be a factory fresh CMP when your done. Many happy years of driving to come.

Cheers Phil

[Private_collector]

Thanks Phil,

For your kind remarks.

Your meltdown description is one of my worst nightmares. That and having to land a 747, being talked down by air traffic control, then finding out that controller is Sylvester Stallone!

I do have some new wiring clips..........somewhere. I'll find em for sure before I buy the new harness. Bought those from Macs, at a time when I could increase the $$$ amount a little, before I hit the next shipping price increase.

I will also be using rubber grommits on all chassis holes that have something routed through. Exception to that is the two copper tubes for the 'fake' fuel filter. Those tiny little pieces of rubber are hugely expensive and I seemed to have the nack of needing the most expensive sizes! In some places I have had to make do with a less than ideal alternative and cut grommit, then glue ends together, to achieve the desired size or thickness.

I am positive there was a pipe clip with the linkage system between transmission and transfer case when I removed it , but it's not with it now. Usually I make a point of keeping assemblies together, so I dont know what happened there.