How To: Ford CMP "Blitz" miscellany

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

I may have answered my own question. Revisiting my various publications and studying the diagrams I noticed what could be the speedometer cable passing over the engine. See attached.

Your manual diagram indeed shows the speedometer cable.

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

I will still be interested to see how your cable is routed Hanno.

Well Jacques, I finally took to time to crawl under my 1943 F15A. I can't vouch for the routing to be the orginal one, but this is how it has been routed for the past decades and it works.

Behind the speedometer:

P1040007_resized.jpg P1040011_resized.jpg

Coming through the engine cowling it dives straight down past the engine in between the 2nd and 3rd cylinder.

P1040016_resized.jpg P1040038_resized.jpg

And then dives past the cylinder head into the chassis:

P1040041_resized.jpg

[Hanno Spoelstra]

The speedometer cable somehow snakes in between the clutch and brake mechanism:

P1040037_resized.jpg

And then passes through the cross member:

P1040034_resized.jpg

On the other side of the chassis cross member it snakes up and then into the speedometer cable attachment on the transfer case:

P1040030_resized.jpg


Taking a close look for the first time I wondered about how loosely fitted this is. And I wonder how it manages not to get snagged by the clutch and brake mechanism? So not sure this is the orginal cable routing, though it is the shortest route from speedometer to transfer case.

I hope this is of some help.

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

I am now thinking 84" may be the correct length

I have NOS shaft-speedometer C29Q-17262 for the F15A.

I unpacked it and measured it up. From tip to tip it measures 216 cm = 85 inches.

IMG_6176.jpg IMG_6198.jpg

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Hanno,

I cannot thank you enough for the photos and length information. After 30 years climbing over relics, not finding a single speedometer cable on any truck, I finally have the right information.

*C29Q 17262 is listed in my F-15A parts list as the shaft for the "new design" cab, i.e. Cab 13 I would assume.

I notice you have the vertical entry cable at the transfer case speedometer gear. Mine is the later horizontal. I will check out my truck and see if it adds any extra distance to the length where it penetrates the crossmember. At least I got that right.

I have determined for a round speedometer that the distance from the speedometer ferule end to the transfer case ferule end is 35mm-41mm less than the shaft depending on whether the transfer case shaft end has a shoulder on it or not. (See attached). If no shoulder on the tip the shaft goes 6mm further into the driven gear and 6mm less into the speedometer. That may be acceptable, but I prefer full engagement of the shaft in the speedometer. That makes the casing length about 83-1/2" (2121 mm). It may, however, be slightly different for a Ford commercial speedometer due to different end nuts at the speedometer.

Knowing this I can now get my cable shortened.

Many thanks again for your help.

Cheers,

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

I cannot thank you enough for the photos and length information. After 30 years climbing over relics, not finding a single speedometer cable on any truck, I finally have the right information.

Hi Jacques, happy to be of help. It is the least I could do in return for the wealth of information you post on here.

Interesting note about not finding a speedometer cable on any truck in Australia. Either they were in short supply so every Blitz was stripped off it, or seeing most of the Blitz' are used as paddock bashers, tree sniggers or whatever you call them, there was no need for a speedometer!

[Jacques Reed]

Originally Posted by Hanno Spoelstra

Hi Jacques, happy to be of help. It is the least I could do in return for the wealth of information you post on here.

Interesting note about not finding a speedometer cable on any truck in Australia. Either they were in short supply so every Blitz was stripped off it, or seeing most of the Blitz' are used as paddock bashers, tree sniggers or whatever you call them, there was no need for a speedometer!

Hi Hanno,

I think that is it, also maybe removed to prevent fouling during an engine change and never put back. Also in the case of F-15's and F-15A's you can add missing handbrake cables going to the backing plates to prevent fouling on stumps. Hydraulic brake lines also go missing. Bolt cutters seem to be the weapon of choice in all cases.

Thanks. As researchers say, go to the source. Nothing beats measuring and sighting an original, be it a part or a document.

Cheers,

[John Mackie]

Hullo Jaques, I have always enjoyed reading your posts. the informaion available on MLu is terific.
I have just aquired a F15 A, it was a bushfire truck out here in the western riverina so is a bit knocked about but mot a lot of rust. Because there was no room in my shed it has gone to my son's. he had it running in less than 24 hours.
it has been fitted with a 2 speed transfer case and a trensmission handbrake so I do not have to chase up handbrake cables to the rear wheels.
I have been following the discussion about spedo. cables and realise I will havs the same headakes. In your photos you show a cable end with what I would call a key / keyway set up, I have never seen Ford use these. Detroit diesel and maybee GM used them. What are they from?
I hope John will put information up about his progress on MLU