Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Lionelgee]

It was outside the Shingle Inn that a huge fight (riot possibly better description) occurred between Australian and American servicemen in war time (don't know exact year, sorry).


G'day Tony,

In response to your being uncertain when "the Battle of Brisbane" occurred - there is a link which provides quite a bit of information about the event. Accessed 11th April 2013 from http://www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/bob.htm

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Private_collector]

G'day Lionel,

Really interesting site you brought up. So much to read, I will do so thoroughly, tonight.

Thanks,

[Private_collector]

The welded front brake backing plate is now off, thanks to a little bit of grinding, followed by a bit more grinding and some sanding once the plate came off.
Driver side backing plate off.jpg Driver side steering, backing plate off.jpg Driver side steering, backing plate off 1.jpg

Following that, I got curious about what may lie.......lay......be hidden, under the sump of the engine. For some time I have been dreading the thought of looking, in case I find a rusted mass of useless metal parts. Fortunately that was NOT what I found. I had drained the oil many months ago. Upon removal of the sump (part way, to peek inside) everything looked to be in good condition, and it was obvious that the previous owner/s didn't pay too much attention to the oil change intervals. Thick sludge everywhere, but NO RUST!
Engine stripdown 2.jpg

Also removed the timing gear cover, and found the gears in good shape there too. Notice anything interesting? See the two bolts sitting inside the water entry to the pumps? Against my expectations, and contrary to what my Flathead Restoration Manual warned, neither of the bolts inside the water jacket broke when being removed! Yay!!!!!
Engine stripdown 1.jpg

[Keith Webb]

Good to hear your engine is looking good inside Tony!

In my younger days I pulled many flatheads to pieces for reconditioning while working for Hughes Auto Spares and fortunately never had any trouble with the bolts inside the water pumps apart from occasionally having to hammer on a slightly smaller socket when the head was a little too corroded to fit the correct one. The water seems not to get down into those threads.

Good luck with the rest of the engine, enjoying this unfolding thread.

[Private_collector]

Does anyone have any information on ball park prices fetched for good quality CMP Tool Box, the type that mounts immediately behind the cab, in line with the spare wheel carrier? I know I have seen a couple or these go on ebay in last couple of years, but for the life of me I do not recall how much they sold for.

Any input welcomed, gents.

[Robert Farmer]

Tony, have a look at this page
http://www.southerncrossmilitaria.com/whats-new.html
Scroll down near the bottom of the page.
Robert.

[Private_collector]

Cheers Robert, thats a start.

Judging by the tyre carrier price in the previous advert, that the tool box would be roughly $250-300 ish, if on its own. When I get back to my home computer, I'll show a couple of photos that will explain why I am asking for the info.