Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

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The long awaited muffler has now arrived. I am quite happy with the final product, and both inlet and outlet fit their respective pipes without problem. At a landed cost of $170.00 AUD, it is comparable to modern 'off the shelf' mufflers which although cylindrical, are not ot a patch on the appearance of the custom made version. Personally, I think it's money well spent. While still cashed up, after yearly tax return, I also purchased a pipe bender capable of bending exhaust tubing of both sizes required. I anticipate working the exhaust piping myself. Managed to stumble across a job-lot of vintage Ford exhaust brackets and clamps about a week ago. Should be sufficient suitable pieces in that bunch to do the whole job.......unless I have overlooked something, which is quite possible.
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Here's something you wouldn't know about yet. The new connecting rods that I bought over a year ago, turned out to be unsuitable. I had been told they were 2" crank pin size, and had requested confirmation from the supplier that this was the case, before money was sent. However, when I went to install them (after attaching pistons, mind you) I very promptly discovered they were in fact the larger crank pin size, and therefore were not of any use to me. I have now acquired the replacement set you see above. They are a Scat product, are definately the right crank pin size, and the machining quality is unbelievable. Call it serendipity, these are far stronget than the French military set which they replace. The set is balanced to within 1gram over the whole batch, and have ARP bolts that are apparently superior to all other fastening systems.......so they say! Intended for use in engines up to 700hp, and compatable with supercharge induction, i'm sure they will withstand the puny horsepower of my plant. It cracks me up to think that at some point in the future, another owner will disassemble the engine to recondition or rebuild, and come face to face with these rods. No doubt they will be struggling to understand exactly WHY these girders are in such a modest engine. Not sure I understand why either, suffice to say that I didn't want to run a risk with second hand or NOS rods of questionable parentage!

If anyone is wanting a set of brand new French made con rods for the LARGER crank pin size, let me know.

Engine building is easy eh? Bah!

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Tony

Your Good Cautionary Tail on the connecting rods is a very good one for any of us collecting or ordering parts for a project. Double check the dimensions of the parts and then check them again once you have the parts in hand. That's going in our club news letter as a Tech Tip.

I'm sure there are many of us who have parts sitting on the shelf that we bought and then when it was to late to return discovered that they were not correct. I've got set of gas tank, brackets, box of NOS valves that I don't know what they fit and few other odd bits sitting on the shelf.

As to ending up with rods that are rated for 700HP, those would go good with the 1000HP axle shafts I had made for my HUP. Only place I could find who could make the axle shafts was and race parts outfit.

Cheers Phil

[Private_collector]

I neglected to mention in my previous post, that the whiz-bang connecting rods do not use the standard Ford big end bearings which would normally be the required part. Instead, they need part no. CB-610P bearings, which are a type used on Buick vehicles (and many others). They are not expensive, but are not an item I have laying around the shed on the off chance that I may one day require a set.

I am yet to receive mine, so things are on hold.....again.

And so it continues.

[Private_collector]

Two Days To Go




You'll work it out!

[Private_collector]

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At midday today, Monday 13th of October, 2014, my Son Bryce took the oath, pledging allegiance to Her Majesty the Queen. This oath, and the ceremony which preceded it, were the final stage to my Sons enlistment into the Australian Defence Force, where, at completion of his 3 month basic training, he will begin his vocational instruction as a member of the Royal Australian Corp of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. I can say, without fear of contridiction, that today is one of the proudest moments of my life.
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The boy who has been so much joy to my Wife and I, has grown up to become a a man we are both so honoured to call our Son. Today he has left to start a life of his own. That will take a lot of getting used to, and as we said our goodbyes at the conclusion of his enlistment ceremony, I had mixed emotions. I'm happy he has found his calling, but home will not be the same without him.

Bryce,

[Bob McNeill]

Tony, you must have done something right just to get him to this stage, It,s a big step and will set him up for life. WELL Done

[lynx42]

Congratulations Bryce and to you and your wife, Tony. I am sure that Bryce will continue to make you proud. Those emotions you felt will stay with you forever.

Regards Rick.