Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Keith Webb]

Now to acquire all the bench testing gear, eh?

[Phil Waterman]

It would be interesting to read the text to see just what they are testing for. I tried rebuilding one of these units by putting it back in the truck to test and that just is not really practical. I was working from the standard CMP MB-C2 manual. Set up to test it on the bench with a vacuum pump and it was a lot easier. Issues I ran in to were as follows:

1. Leaks between the base plate and barrel
2. Leak at the one way check valve
3. No problem with the piston shaft
4. No problem with the actuator valve
5. No problem with main piston seal

Using the vacuum pump with and a ball valve I was able to test each component for leak down. As the number of leaks was narrowed down listening with a stethoscope became useful. When all the leaks are tracked down an minimized the brake booster will hold vacuum up to over night. Though even with a booster that will not hold charge once the engine is shut down the boost in braking power is significant.

Keeping the air that is going into the unit clean seems to be the biggest issue. Which means finding a replacement for the bellows boot, fortunately off road shock absorber boots can be found that are a very good size match.

But as I said it would be very interesting to hear what the major test the Bendix Book is recommending.

Cheers Phil

[gjamo]

Here is a pdf of a similar manual if anyone is interested.


http://www.tm9-801.com/tm9-1827b/tm9-1827b.pdf

[Bob Moseley (RIP)]

Hi Tony - Bower Brakes here in Adelaide rebuild these. I have had several done and I believe these guys are the only ones in the country that do them.

Bob

[Phil Waterman]

Thanks for posting the link to the Bendix Manual download. It just amazes me that you can a question about a resource and with in hours some body comes up with a resource.

The Bendix Manual looks like it will make interesting reading.

Cheers Phil

[Private_collector]

I have started assembling the wheels to tyres.
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Only minor hitch was the 30 minutes it took to tighten the nuts, because I wanted to wrap each one in low tack tape before putting the spanner onto them, to minimise the damage to paint. Notice I didn't say 'eliminate'! I vaguely recall there used to be a rubberised compound you could buy for dipping tool handles. That stuff could possibly have coated the spanner or socket. If I can find the stuff I will try it.
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What color do I paint the ends of these wheel bolts? Are they red like the nuts, or green like the wheel?
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Rear shock finished. The other one is still soaking to allow easier disassembly.

[Private_collector]

Finished the first seat today, with help from new bolts, springs and eventual success getting sandblasting done. First time seat was blasted, the guys left it out in the rain, unprimed.


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This was the original state when I first saw them.
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Sound condition though.
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The seat canvases look quite good, but I can't seem to get all the wrinkles out of the back, no matter how much adjusting I do. The stuff in the seat runner tracks is actually grease. Once I slide the seat along mechanism a few times, I will remove excess.
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With daylight fading, I started pulling the brake vacuum booster apart. I had read the manual fairly lightly & promptly forgot it, so when I got the two parts of the vac chamber apart, the giant spring that jumped out at me came as somewhat of a surprise. It also prompted several very bad words which would make a bikie blush!!!. Great bloody way to end a weekend. Like being on the set of The Magic Roundabout.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

What color do I paint the ends of these wheel bolts? Are they red like the nuts, or green

Erm, Tony, I really think you are doing a great job, but maybe you are taking it a little over the top? This is a military truck, which was assembled from parts, sometimes in various colours (green, sand, brown), and then spray painted a uniform shade at end of the line. Painting red wheel nuts or applying camouflage colours was done with spray guns or brushes by the military users with available paints. They were not too concerned about scratches on wheel nuts, or any other parts for that matter.

Keep up the good work, but don't overdo it. My €0,02 worth anyway.

Regards,
Hanno