Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

Tony Wheeler · #1 14-03-13, 08:27

This Canberra Times report gives a more detailed description of the new trucks, which were Cab 12 Fords delivered fully assembled (Australia never received any Cab 12 Chevs, only Cab 13 Chevs a year later as CKD chassis). Evidently these new trucks made the same impression then as now: "distinctive rugged appearance".

Interestingly these reports all mention US involvement in the CMP program, can't imagine where that notion came from.

Private_collector · #2 17-03-13, 11:18

Gearbox finished 2.jpg Gearbox finished.jpg Gearbox throwout 1.jpg
Finished the gearbox today. At least, internally finished. I am still awaiting the following, to complete entirely: clutch rod bushes, rear MDG seal, pilot bearing, locking wire (found enough for the shift forks), and the throwout grease hose. Thanks to Jacques, I contacted Ajays in NZ, and am waiting to hear if they can purchase more of the grease hose. They had run out some time prior and had none in store. Fingers crossed!

Worst part of the whole thing was keeping one of the thrust bearings in place while installing the quite heavy gear cluster that it mates with. I ended up holding it in place with a layer of masking tape around the ID, making sure no tape went anywhere I couldn't take it off again. I was fortunate that all gaskets came off in a single piece, and had no problem making new ones, with the exception of a few minutes searching for the correct thikness materials which were ....somewhere.

Thoroughly checked the shifting pattern, and everything works FINE! Just one little irritance, the reverse lockout rod sticks a little more than I would like (which is NO sticking).

That would be my fault, I put the normal amount of paint coats on the shift lever etc.. A little bit if fine sanding may be in order if the graphite grease I applied doesn't work well enough.
Gear boot 1.jpg
I cut the unwanted portion from the gear lever boot, and did a trial fit. Looks OK, so it will stay in place, and I will attach it propper at a later date, when I need a 'time-out' from soething else. You know the Time-Out scenario? That's when you have to stop whatever you are doing that isn't going well, or you risk bringing a 12lb sledge down onto it.

Throwout body.jpg
Getting back to the discussion on sealed VS open bearings. I have decided to leave both of mine sealed. At the front, oil will still get past the bearing, Just in a much reduced quantity. The grooves in the slinger will hold some, and friction should be minimal there anyway. I chucked a handful of light grease in there for startup.

Private_collector · #3 18-03-13, 09:28

With the gearbox work done, I attached a couple of parts that arrived in the mail this week.
Junction block NOS.jpg
This NOS junction block is a perfect fit, despite being from another type of MV.
Rear brake hose 1.jpg Rear brake hose 2.jpg Front brake hose 1.jpg Front brake hose 2.jpg
The post-office pickup slip description which I thought may have been the long awaited wiring loom, actually turned out to be these two brake hoses, in a very well packed (and somewhat enlarged) box. This pair of hoses are the ones that go to front & rear axles. They were custom made in USA, and cost $50.00 including shipping, for the pair. They even came with the locking clips and copper washers. Now that I have seen the quality, i'll call the supplier and order a new pair for the front axle to wheel cylinders.

I had initially offered the local brake repair shop the job of making these (and two others), and I left a sample hose with them so they could get the right ends. That was 7 weeks ago now............Their loss!

I should actually have gotten more done this weekend, but we bought a new ride-on mower on Saturday, and I decided to tidy up the place first. This one goes a number of times faster than the previous, lethargic one. That includes in reverse too!! Naturally, when Gympie finally secures the Hardie Ferodo 1000 (or whatever Bathurst is called now), I shall enter immediately. In the years BC (Before Children), my wife & I took a detour to Bathurst while on a driving holiday, for the purpose of trying our new sports-car on the track. Well OBVIOUSLY I didn't make too much of a point of the track trying bit. As it turned out, I was saved from a very expensive speeding ticket by another motorist who flashed his lights to say there was a police radar set up on the downhill straight! For you foreigners, the 'Bathurst 1000' is a 1000km race on a closed public road that then becomes the racing circuit. Keep your NASCAR, our vehicles can turn right, as well as left!

Private_collector · #4 22-03-13, 11:00

It's here!

Wiring loom 1.jpg Wiring loom 2.jpg Wiring loom 3.jpg Wiring loom 4.jpg

Phil Waterman · #5 22-03-13, 15:28

Hi Tony

Tell us more about your wiring harness supplier, there are so few of them around that actually can or will duplicate CMP harnesses.

Please, as you get into laying out the harness and installing it take lots and lots of pictures.

Look forward to seeing this major step in your restoration process.

Cheers Phil

Hanno Spoelstra · #6 22-03-13, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Tell us more about your wiring harness supplier, there are so few of them around that actually can or will duplicate CMP harnesses.

Hi Phil,

See Sources for wiring looms for a listing of suppliers, including vintage wiring harness in Australia
Note: when clicking on the links to the related threads, please substitute .net for .org in the URL.

HTH,
Hanno

Private_collector · #7 22-03-13, 22:11

Will do, but first I have to find more information on the exact positioning for each wiring section.

Some time ago, there were some photos posted by Keith, with regards to wiring running along the chassis, and that is the only part I can be sure about for now.

Should have some photos that help. Just a matter of sitting down & looking through them for clues. Then of course there are the various manuals I have bought over past 2 years.

I had a good look at a number of the individual sections of the loom last night. They are best described as WOW! Fantastic quality and excellently built. You no doubt already know I have no time for poor quality service or materials. The guys at Vintage Wiring Harness are very easy to talk to and certainly know their stuff. The build quality is superb. Everything is just so neat and tidy. At less than $600 for the harness (before GST/VAT) they are also very competetive.

http://www.vinwire.com.au/