help with engine swap to 8BA engine

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

In general, the prefix seems to reflect the first vehicle to use a given part......It might be effective to find/borrow one of each frame, stack them on top of each other, photograph this and hand it to several of your knowledgable friends and ask them to play spot-the-differences.

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.

[Jason Linders]

All good got the wheel base

F60S - 115IN WHEEL BASE
F60L - 158IN WHEEL BASE
FGT - 101.25IN

[Tony Wheeler]

Slight correction Jason, the F60S is 134 1/4". Not that it makes any difference in this case! Ultimately it will depend on what's available, and don't forget it's only the rear section you're concerned with, as you'll be reusing your FGT front section.

[Jason Linders]

F60L I would be removing 57in
F60S I would be removing 14in
will all holes for fuel tank brakets and every other hole be still staped into the
two chassis

[Jason Linders]

Now i am with you Tony all i really need is the rear

[ccooperaus]

Hello. Where in Qld are you. Have a F15A cab/chassis with 10.5x16 tyres. helper springs on rear axle. On Gold Coast. Charlie.

[Jason Linders]

Hi Charlie i live near toowoomba.
so not really that far

just sent PM

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Jason Linders

will all holes for fuel tank brakets and every other hole be still staped into the two chassis

Yes, they used a common stamping jig for ease of production. The result being that all F60S and F60L chassis have rivet holes for F15A and FGT fuel tank brackets and midsection crossmembers.

Edit: The above does not apply for Cab 12 chassis. Evidently production had not yet been standardized.

[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 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?

TONY7974 - Copy.jpg

TONY7979 - Copy.jpg

[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

[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!


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P03113.002 Cairns, Qld. Probably 10th Australian Light Anti Aircraft Battery.jpg

[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