help with engine swap to 8BA engine

[Jason Linders]

Thanks for the info Tony makes things a little easier
to decide what to do

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

No need Grant, I have 3 FGT chassis and 4 F15A chassis in my backyard, and I've spent innumerable hours poring over them looking for differences! All I can find on the siderails is an extra set of holes for the fuel tank brackets, which on forensic examination prove to be drilled rather than stamped, with lines scored from the adjacent stamped hole set for accurate measurement. Evidently this was necessary to fit the running boards unique to Australian pattern FGTs.

All other differences relate to additional and/or relocated crossmembers and fishplates, which I've catalogued in post #39 here:

http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...?t=1929&page=2


I wonder if the two different siderail prefixes arise from early parts before the alternative rivet holes were included to simplify production. Also of course there are differences between Cab 12 and Cab 13 side rails, and in the case of Cab 12 chassis I believe the FAT preceded the F15A in development.

My comments were taken from the Canadian parts books F15A-01, FGT-01 and F15-01 so may not totally apply to the Australian FGT. If the Austalian frame is different to the Canadian FGT, did Ford ever do the frame rail stamping for the FGT or other CMPs locally or were the frames one of the parts that were imported for "local assembly"? If it was "local assembly, I've no idea whether Ford Australia would have been modifying the Canadian F15A frame (that would, of course, make for almost identical frames F15A to FGT) or the Canadian FGT frame.

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

If the Austalian frame is different to the Canadian FGT

No there's no difference in the frame, they were shipped fully assembled. The only difference between the Canadian and Australian FGT chassis is the axles and steering gear, as the 6" steering ends and 400 steering box weren't shipped here until '44, by which time FGT production had ceased. Same goes for pre '44 F60L and F60S chassis in Australia. Not sure why we didn't get the heavy duty components earlier.

The way it worked for local pattern bodies is they were designed around the Canadian chassis as received. Interestingly we've found what we believe is the first FGT chassis received in Australia, ordered specifically for that purpose. It's a very early FGT chassis with the Chev diffs and a roofless Cab 11. I believe the present owner is planning a repro FAT body eventually, thus fulfilling it's intended purpose somewhat belatedly!

[aj.lec]

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

Interestingly we've found what we believe is the first FGT chassis received in Australia, ordered specifically for that purpose. It's a very early FGT chassis with the Chev diffs and a roofless Cab 11. I believe the present owner is planning a repro FAT body eventually, thus fulfilling it's intended purpose somewhat belatedly!

Even better if someone in Oz knows the whereabouts of an available original beetleback body for the purpose

[Jason Linders]

Hi does anyone have pics of the F60 chassis so i can see what to do about the cut and refit if i go down this path

[Jason Linders]

Hi and what is interchangable between the ford and the chev,
roof ,front window, seats are they all the same

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by aj.lec

Even better if someone in Oz knows the whereabouts of an available original beetleback body for the purpose

Yes that's going to be a tough ask in Australia, I believe only one Field Regiment brought them here, that being 2/11 Fd. Regt. They landed in Adelaide and shipped up to Qld where they were painted two-tone camo and given ARNs, but they appear to have left them behind when they went to Darwin. Who knows what happened to them after the war, probably went the way of most FGTs into sawmills.

I remember that chassis turning up on ebay, I was all set to bid for it until Keith told me it was near you. Which is rather fortunate because I certainly don't need any more FGT headache projects!

[aj.lec]

Yes it will be a challenge . Probably end up with a repro unfortunately
A few projects ahead of that one at the moment
Interesting I haven't heard of any other Cab 11 FGT in any form in Australia . A few Cab 12 but rare on the ground too

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Jason Linders

Hi does anyone have pics of the F60 chassis so i can see what to do about the cut and refit if i go down this path

Here's the F60L midsection Jason but I'm not sure pics are much help, there's a multitude of options and you really need both chassis in front of you with tape measure in hand.

Any news on the Gold Coast F15A chassis?

[Jason Linders]

Yes might be good news for me getting a few pic on the weekend
but just keeping all options open at the moment

[Jason Linders]

Hi Tony are the roof and front window and window surrounds on chev and ford the same

[aj.lec]

Originally Posted by Jason Linders

Hi Tony are the roof and front window and window surrounds on chev and ford the same

Window surrounds are different profiles . Chevs are terrible for rust . Very hard to find good ones. Ford ones seem to hang in a lot better
Chev ones are slightly wider with a more curved look . Ford ones have slightly sharper edges

[Jason Linders]

Thanks for that Andrew