Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

Private_collector · #1 29-06-13, 13:10

Went to see the previously mentioned new flathead block today. Mmmmm, Boy! It's a beautiful thing to behold. Much better in person, than in photos. Still coated with cosmoline & stinks accordingly. Never seen one of these new blocks personally. Don't know if I would ever get to see another one. So I bought it! Well, put a holding deposit. I'll get back there (5hr round trip) within the next fortnight, to finalise the transaction. Actual price less expensive, following negotiation. Seller is quite a decent chap, and certainly knows his stuff. Bit bewildering, some of the information, really.

I had taken certain items with me, for purpose of being sure everything fits as needed. Which they do. An interesting discovery was made while there. My crankshaft has a visible crack eminating from one of the connecting rod bearing lube holes. May not be disasterous. Only the rebuilding engineers would know for sure, and it may only be known after a magnaflux test. I'm looking at possibility of having one of the original cranks imported. It would be one made especially for these blocks, so it would mate perfectly with the French made con rods I have. I may need to fake my own disappearance, in order to affford this, but I really want this engine to be perfect. I'm not intending to need it out of the chassis once it goes in!

So ultimately, apart from the heads, distributor plate, crank & cam gears, and very little else, I will be recycling approximately DICK from the engine I bought ages ago. Such is life.

Lynn Eades · #2 29-06-13, 14:30

Tony. If you going to buy a crank Check the french crank against a merc crank.
A ford crank is 3 3/4" stroke. the Merc crank has a 4.0" stroke. The rods are the same, but each crank would need different pistons. It is the "piston height" that changes (measurement from gudgeon centre to top of piston changes) Rods are 7.0" centre to centre.
I dont know what spec the french crank is. the ford is 239 cu.in., while the merc is 255cu.in.
If you haven't found it yet, have a look at "Rumbleseat's flathead visions"
Lots of info there.

Richard Farrant · #3 29-06-13, 14:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

I dont know what spec the french crank is. the ford is 239 cu.in., while the merc is 255cu.in.

My copy of the French SUMB truck handbook puts it at 4.2 litres which is 256cu in. Best check the stroke as it is not stated.

Tony, have you seen this website? ; http://www.btc-bci.com/~billben/french.htm

David Dunlop · #4 29-06-13, 16:04

So let's just summarize now, Tony.

Several long trips out of town.
The appearance of a mysterious, large tank of bubbly, liquid in the back 40.
Sudden disappearance of said property owner.

Hmmm!

Have you remembered the new insurance policy on yourself, payable to the Estate?

Do keep us posted!

Cheers,

David

Private_collector · #5 29-06-13, 17:36

Hello Gents,

The cranks for the Froggy Flatheads are either 3.75 or 4.00 stroke. I want the 3.75 version, to match up with my rods, which are 7". The "btc" site is the one that had first put some of my fears to rest prior to arranging to look at the block. Just over a week ago I knew absolutely nothing about these engines, now after searching and reading information everywhere, I still know almost nothing! Once I get the block back home, I will make an attachment to bolt onto one lf the exhaust stud sets, so I can rotate it 360 degrees while working on it. In no haste to assemble, and have a couple more books on order, to read before I try anything. Slowly, slowly, catchy monkey!

Lynn Eades · #6 29-06-13, 17:59

Tony, the rods work with both cranks. It's the pistons that change.

Private_collector · #7 30-06-13, 00:51

OK, now I get it.

The pistons I will get with the block are STD size, 4 ring type, and will be for 3.75 crank. Thats what I have here, but won't be using. Now thai I actually understand the sizing bit, i'll be vigilant for getting (or more to the point, asking) for the right parts.

Thanks Lynn,