Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Keith Webb]

You'll find one if you keep looking, I'm sure. It has a cooling system plate on the top with instructions on draining the system.

[Private_collector]

Some time ago, I promised to take & post some decent photos of the wonderful tribute to our Military Personnel that is the Memorial Lane, off Mary Street in Gympie.

As Cliff has previously indicated, the nature and extent of the murals are believed to be unique. If similar exist anywhere else, I have not heard of them! In addition to murals, there are a number of plaques remembering the dead of all wars from The Boer War up until present, with most recent addition being the tragic loss of Corporal Ashley Birt, who was serving in Afghanistan when he was killed.

I have started this thread in:
"WW2 Military History & Equipment"

The thread won't be hard to find

[Private_collector]

All is on track to have engine hatch and pedal plate painted tomorrow.

Do I dare entertain the idea of getting welding & bodywork done on the nose panel!?!?

We'll know soon enough, though I should note that I won't be breaking any speed records tomorrow. I hurt my back when I bent down quickly to select a rock to throw at a vicious dog that had snuck under one of my boundry fences. I injured my back but I did land the shot corectly!

Don't get me wrong, I really like dogs....................but I could never eat a whole one :-)

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Tony

Though you probably have thought of it, as you work on the nose take a look at each of the panels as they are attached to the frame work. Look for panels that are in position but have broken spot welds or have separated away form the frame. (I'll post some pictures of the problem soon) I have discovered on both of my Pat 13s that this was a problem it has a number effects; one water leaks, two noise, three heat from the engine compartment. They used a tar like sealer on many of these that over the years has dried out and fallen away.

Also when it comes to mounting the nose there are a number of places had gasket material.

Keep up the good work, enjoy reading your progress updates.

Cheers Phil

[Private_collector]

Thankyou Phil,

The nose had been blasted many months ago, and I had asked them to weld several areas also, for exactly the reasons you indicated.

Here's where the problem lies: When I asked them to weld, I hadn't yet bought a welder and did not expect to do so in near future. They did as I had requested, BUT remember I had sent panel there to be blasted. Because it was 'au naturale' when it left my hands, I didn't know that the panels where headlights attach had filler below each headlight hole. So when they welded, as per my instructions, they had in fact secured both front panels in a position that I would later need to have adjusted!

Thats a long winded way of saying I have to cut welds, move areas of those panels forward (maybe 1/8in only) to avoid need for the masses of filler previously used.

Moral of the story: Don't get ahead of yourself. I was young then, now i'm much wiser

I plan to spray certain areas underneath with a body sealer also.

P.S: Did you see I did actually get back to you re dimensions for the rifle butt cups? It was maybe a week of two ago.

[Private_collector]

Engine hatch 5.jpg Engine hatch painted 1.jpg Engine hatch painted 3.jpg
Got the engine cover painted.
Engine hatch painted 2.jpg
When parts were back inside the workshop & I could take a closer look, I noted that I hadn't entirely obliterated the line where the large round patch was welded in place. It's not well defined any more, but I can't do anything about it now.
Pedal plate painted 1.jpg
The pedal plate is finished also. New headlight dipper installed. Accelerator pedal to be blasted and installed tomorrow.

[Private_collector]

Nose repair 1.jpg Nose repair 2.jpg Nose repair 3.jpg
The repairs to nose panel have started, but there was not enough time to complete, so that carries on tomorrow too!

With light fading, I only had enough time to throw on a coat of etch & a single coat of primer. I have since noticed some scratches in the filler that will be re-sanded. It is my aim to do away with need for spray putty, and just apply three coats of primer.

With any luck, and a tail-wind, I should have the whole thing repaired and primed tomorrow.
Foam & rubber stripping.jpg
The engine cover will have foam strip applied to seal edges and protect against scratching anywhere when it's installed or removed, and a strip of rubber will go between it and cab floor. That's another 'tomorrow' job.