My Blitz's

[Grant Bowker]

I agree it looks like a 216.
The steam fitting wasn't on commercial engines of the period (or any of the later 235 or 261 that could have been put in easily). Although they could have transplanted the steam fitting to a later engine they were more often tossed.
The tin cover for the push rods looks as if it extends to the height of the valve cover so that would make it a 216 or possibly a very early 235.
The valve cover with oil bath breather and fill point is a correct for CMP part. Again, if the engine was being changed odds are they would have used the valve cover from the replacement engine rather than going to the trouble of swapping the covers.
The carbs look to be Carter rather than Zenith or the Rochesters you would expect on late 235 or 261 engines.
You also have the period correct (3rd photo) takeoff below the carb for the brake booster, another part that often goes missing.
I think it all points to original CMP engines.
About the engines - By modern standards they are feeble for the weight but you already knew that. The "splash" lubrication system is criticized by many but seemed to work reasonably in it's day by flowing large volume at low pressure. Like every oil system dirt is an enemy as well as people who won't read the book when doing work on systems they aren't fully familiar with. Babbit bearings aren't as easy to replace as the newer insert bearings but went through a lot of abuse without leaving all owners stranded. I believe it is possible to convert engines from babbit to insert bearings (for a price) if you want to keep what looks to be an original engine but find the babbit bearings bad. There are also outfits who will redo babbit bearings, again it comes at a cost.
Keep in mind my comments are from the North American perspective, not Australian. I have no idea if later engines were the same wrt carb etc in both areas. Not sure why they would have been different, but it is possible.

[hrpearce]

Hi Scott, I still have the original 216 in my C15A 1943. Because I operate in steep country at low speeds I keep the sump 1L over full.

[Ganmain Tony]

Seems you Chevy guys need to experience the pressure fed system that came standard in a Ford Blitz.

That V8 really cant be beat....

[hrpearce]

Tony I don't operate too well under pressure being a nervious type

[Mike K]

Scott

turn it upside down and give it a few sharp downward taps onto a piece of wood . The element should fall out

MIKE

[hrpearce]

Replacement element ryco R2374P fits but it comes with an O ring seal so you need to cut your owm gasket.

[Phil Waterman]

If the filters have not been changed particularly the ones mounted horizontal in the frame rail tend to get slugged in very tight. The one on my C60L I don't think had been changed and it had to be removed by pulling the filter apart after the little pull wire pulled out.

Be sure to check the filter housing carefully after cleaning mine had several little pin holes on the bottom side. These didn't show until the inside had been cleaned to bare metal and the paint removed from the out side. They were easily weld by drilling the pin holes out then making a curved brass backer plate. With that clamped tight to the inside mig welded the holes and ground it smooth. Pressure tested to 60 psi with water no leak.

In the US the correct size filter comes with two gaskets, I'll try to find the most recent application cross over and filter numbers. There are two sizes of filter units that I have encountered on my CMPs small early, large late.

Cheers Phil