New to MLU Forum

[Keith Webb]

The engine is looking good, was a bare block last time I saw it. Interesting to hear about the head studs.

Is the coil a newly manufactured one?

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Keith, Long time no see! The coil is a NOS one I got from a fellow Early Ford V8 Club member a few years ago. Since then, and getting a bit more wiser on NOS parts, especially coils and condensers, I think I will replace it with a newly made one as I did with the Airtex fuel pump (modern rubber diaphragm for modern fuels). I will see how it performs once the engine is installed and running. There will be a lot of engine hours on the "test bed" before it goes out on the road. Again, for reliability, I think a newly manufactured one will be the go on the road. I put the engine temporarily back together on the stand also to make sure everything went back OK. A lot easier than finding out something isn't mating up while standing on your head in the engine compartment. Was worth it to get spark plug leads and conduits correct, and found that the original carby fuel line did not mate up to the new fuel pump by just a few mm. Was a lot easier making one up and fitting it on the stand. Will strip off intake manifold and block and use my lifting beam on the valve gallery top to put short block back into chassis. Brgds Jacques

[Private_collector]

Jacques,

Your attention to detail is fabulous.

Keep the photos coming.....and welcome aboard

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Tony, Thanks for your kind comments. I have attached the reverse engineered drawings I made based on the photos and sketches that I was given awhile back. Was wondering how accurate they are based on yours? Info supplier never got back to me on how the base attaches at the rear of the holder hence I punted that there is a tab there. Also never got the thickness of the sheet metal. Brgds Jacques

[Private_collector]

Jacques,
PB150006.JPG PB150005.JPG
Your drawings look virtually identical to my parts. Since I sent you the private message, it has started raining again, so I will have to check & photograph tomorrow. In the meantime, this is two photos I took of my battery holder assembly when I first got it. The box frame has been very badly treated in past, so my knocking it flat won't harm it any further. The two securing bolts have already been removed, and are in quite good shape. Good enough to be reused, and would be acceptable starting point for taking patterns off, if you don't have suitable replacements.

What is the part shown in your first diagram? It doesn't look familiar to me. Is it to show location of the box frame in relation to the base plate?

The only thing I see missing from your drawings are the exact location of the three rivet holes where the two battery securing bolts attach the battery box sides. I can supply that information , once I get a good look at mine. Mind you, you can't get them too far away from where they need to be, if you go off your plans!

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Tony, Thanks again for the info. The first drawing is what I reckon the base of the holder looks like and the spacing of the rivets that attach it to the sides and base plate. I assumed it is a separate piece based on the rivets on the tabs on the sides, or is it riveted directly to the base plate? (You can see I haven't been a draughtsman for 45 years-forgot to label the drawing, fail!)
The dimensions and position of the rivet holes that hold the battery securing bolts would be most appreciated. Again my previous source did not supply them, but in fairness, he was not a "Blitz" restorer. He supplied numerous photos which helped greatly and have attached a couple more here. The one of the front corner may be helpful for the little toe plate that keeps the battery in.
And I am right for the base plate dimensions. Mine is all there and in good condition. Often they are not from years of acid spllls from the battery so thanks for asking.
Brgds,
Jacques

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Tony,
Think I answered my own question! I remember getting the base plate straightened many years ago by the bumper straightening service where I took my bumper. I seem to remember now he mentioned grinding off some rivet heads. I had a look at my base and I can just see the outline of the holes. He did such a good neat job I didn"t see them before I primered and painted it. So I would say they were riveted directly to the base plate. The photos I obtained showed so much scale I assumed it was a sheet metal plate on the bottom. Have attached photo of my "interim" battery holder. You may find it interesting the Baldwin fuel filter element in it. The first truck had the remains of an AC GF-132 filter inside the filter housing. When I cross referenced, I found Baldwin makes one for it and bought it locally in Melbourne. I think it is a lot better filter than the original brass leaf type. And, just like the engine, I am willing to deviate from 100% original if it doesn't affect appearance but improves reliability.
Brgds, Jacques