Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Bob Carriere]

HI Phil

If memory serves me right the original had a trench groove cut with angled walls that matched the special bolt with similar flat angular sides. No wonder they are no longer making them.

Surely the end of a new flat rectifier grinding disc would do that in a jiff. Not precise but good enough..... the groove / bolt attachements is only to keep the pin in place from moving sideways.

On my Chevy pins there was a grease groove cut around the pins centered o the grease outlet hole. Maybe the Ford was different.

You also need to find the suitable bronze bushing.

Bob

[Private_collector]

As we say in this part of the world.......Hello!,

No outwardly obvious signs of celebrating anything here just now. Huge winds, over 250mm (10") of rain in less than 24hrs. Last week, so dry I had to buy water. This week we are flooded in. Tanks are very much full, as of this morning. Dam that was almost dry thursday, is about to hit 100% capacity within next hour, then the excess flows out and adds to the flooding elsewhere. And flooding there is!!! Can go less than a kilometer in any direction. Further north, Rockhampton badly flooded. Tornadoes (said to be three in total) went through Bundaberg this afternoon, with severe damage in its path. Very high winds here. So high I can't get to the workshop without being water blasted! I'm not up for that. Brisbane expecting their share of flooding rains tomorrow, courtesy of rain overnight. They are about 200km south of here, so we will know about the rough stuff well before it gets down their way.

Radio tells us the heavy rain and bad winds arrive overnight tonight! Jeeezus! This is the entree, main course yet to come. I have never seen the wind this bad, ever. Even the dog won't come out of her house.

Still, got a new coffee machine, and fresh copy of CMV to read, so bugger the lot of it, i'm staying inside.

Wanted to make the wire frames for CMP mudguards, clean up a radiator and paint it, and a few other little bits. Nothing doing now!

Flash: just heard report of a 4th tornado in Bundaberg, and possibly one in Maryborough. Didn't catch if they said it had hit or was expected. We are about 50km south of Maryborough! Bundaberg is north of Maryborough. They got twister first, so I guess we are next in line, geographically speaking.

[Private_collector]

Here we go again! Last week drought, this week major flooding.

More than 500mm rain in past 2 days. No tornadoes here, but have been a number reported in Bundaberg & Maryborough! Tornadoes? This isnt Kansas! What the hell is going?

[Private_collector]

To quote from the Bureau of Meteorology:

FLOOD WARNING FOR THE MARY RIVER
Issued at 9:43 am EST on Sunday 27 January 2013 by the Bureau of Meteorology, Brisbane.

Heavy rainfall is continuing in the Mary River catchment. Further heavy rainfall of 75-100mm is expected over the upper catchment during Sunday.

At present, very strong river level rises and flooding, including areas of major flooding, are being observed across the catchment. Moderate flooding is expected at Gympie during Sunday, with major flood levels expected overnight with further rainfall. Major flood levels are also expected at Maryborough during Monday.

Upstream of Gympie:
Minor flooding and strong river rises are occurring at Moy Pocket and Dagun Pocket. Moderate flood levels are expected at Moy Pocket during Sunday. Major flood levels are possible at Dagun Pocket overnight Sunday.

Gympie:
Moderate flood levels are rising strongly at Gympie. Major flood levels are likely overnight Sunday based on the rainfall forecast.

Gympie to Maryborough:
Major flooding is expected during Sunday at Miva, with major flood levels at Tiaro rising further.

Maryborough:
Minor flood levels will continue to rise at Maryborough during Sunday, with moderate flood levels expected overnight Sunday and major flood levels during Monday.

Predicted River Heights/Flows:
Gympie: Exceed major flood level (17 metres) overnight Sunday.

[Keith Webb]

That's some serious rain, hope everyone is OK, thanks for keeping us updated Tony.

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Tony

Australian weather lately seems to be coming in only biblical categories, drought, fire, rain, have they scheduled the locus?

But seriously hope ever one is OK. Storms and natural disasters are really hard on the people who experience them first hand, our best wishes to all those impacted by them.

Phil

[Private_collector]

Hi Guys,

Yes, the weather has just been bizarre in past few weeks. We didn't have the fires that southern states had. I can't imagine the terror of living in an area where that is part of life, or knowing a bushfire is heading your way.

Rain has just stopped in past few minutes. We can't get out anywhere, but from first check around, it seems there is no damage from wind. Can't say the same for some of our relatively near neighbours. While I am not able to travel far, I can see that some properties are under water, including the homes. Looks like Gympie is gonna get a major flood again, with worst being tomorrow morning. Bureau forcasting bulletins are getting more dire with each new bulletin. If I can get into town tomorrow, i'll see if I can help anywhere.

For today, i'm using the reprieve to get into the shed & workshop, and check things in there. Torrential rain 1hr ago, and now he sun is trying to get his hat on! TV news is reporting flooding could be worse than seen in 60 years. Glad we built high up, let me tell you.

Just a couple of years ago, there were actually Locust plagues in the western parts of Queensland, so it does happen! I'm hoping we don't get the frogs or boils!!!!

I'll post any siginficant news as it comes to hand. Thankyou for your good wishes chaps.

[hrpearce]

Fortunately we have not had any majior fires in our valley yet but yesterday afternoon was spent on top of a ridge on lightening strike watch. Plenty of lightening hit the ground and only 0.75mm of rain.

[Private_collector]

Started work on duplicating the complex system of wiring in front mud flaps/spats. Several issues were made apparent on the first, unsuccessful attempt.

I knew from the start that the wire I had at hand was too thin. This fact was confirmed with the first attempt of layup. Bear in mind I have only seen two photos of original ones, and both of those photos were rather vague and did not show the upper portion where it is attached to the mudguard.

First, I tried to make the whole wire section in one piece. Not a great idea. Too hard to work with, and the thin wire I used did not have the ability to retain it's shape to the extent required. I feel this problem would remain, even with a more suitable wire. The bent section on the right, is where the join is. The red stuff is heat shrink tubing, which certainly holds the sections together, BUT one piece of wire must be over/under the other, and when this happens, the shrink tubing actually holds the wire in any shape it gets bent to. I.E: if you mechanically bend forward or back, it will stay in that position. It can't bend sideways once the canvas is sewn over, but could still bend for'd & aft.

Second attempt. Still same wire. This time I thought about making every wire piece individually, and recessing the ends into a piece of metal, which would be where the flap is attached to the mudguard. This could work OK, with thicker wire. Holes would be pre-drilled in the metal, (In this case, aluminium) for the attaching bolts, upholsterer would then place brass eyelets through the canvas and aluminium, once all sewing complete. The wire would be much easier to work with during manufacture, and any poorly fashioned sections of wire could be discarded without losing the entire work piece. I would look into securing each wire section to the aluminium with a form of glue. Possibly hot melt glue, no higher than level of surrounding metal, so it would not be visible once canvas sewn on.

On my attempt today, you see I have tried to make each lower corner a curve instead of the right angle corner that it will ultimately be. If I have figured correctly, the photos I have seen show a bar of metal across the lower part of flap, just below the end of the wire pieces. This will be copied on final build.

If anyone has any other photos of the structure of these flaps, I would love to see them. Would especially like to see the naked wire piece/s, to see if I am even on the right track. This is one of those occasions where the visual aspects must look correct, even though the actual method of construction could be vastly different from original.


These are the two photos I have seen so far.

[Private_collector]

Went into town this afternoon, to get a look at what's happening with the water there. Took a few photos on the way.

I posted this photo of Bells Bridge, showing the flood level in January 2011.

This is the same bridge today. Compare the 100km/h speed sign in both photos!

Another road on the way into town, which always goes under with a decent rain spell.

These are in Gympie itself. More to come.

[Private_collector]

And this is, or at least WAS the quickest way home from town. Good ole council decided to raise the road surface. Original surface was a concrete sort of causeway that often had water over it with heavy rain. The road builders decided it would be best to add gravel to raise the level of road, then pave over that. The water decided it didn't fancy the new road surface and thought it best to remove it all. Did a good job with the removal too. When the water is running over the road (as it obviously was today) you cannot see what the road surface is like beneath the water. Another very good reason NOT to go through a flooded road. Tell your friends! No doubt there would have been some heroes that attempted to cross this when flooded. Wish I was there to see their faces when they hit this hidden gem. Schmucks! Thought the guys in this photo were thinking about doing just that. They did look like they were considering it for a while, but I think our presence put them off. Perhaps they didn't want any witnesses to the stupidity.

[cliff]

4th photo was taken at the end of my street looking towards the cricket grounds. Water views again from the front door tomorrow I guess

Tony so close and you did not call in

[Tony Smith]

Another 12 mths of Flood Levy coming up, unless the Mad Abbott gets in, then you'll get nuthin'.

[Bob McNeill]

Sure do hope all those around Gympie and Townsville have kept your feet dry, lots of power out and no phones, seeing the logs going down the rivers, cars and people don,t stand a chance.

[Private_collector]

Cheers Bob,

Gympie has major flooding, but nowhere near the extent of Bunbaberg. Those poor bastards.

Might be something in this global warming business.

I took a large number of flood photos in Gympie yesterday. I'll get some posted tonight.

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Might be something in this global warming business.

Don't worry Tony, the mad monk assures me that climate change is crap. Mind you, I suspect he failed Climate Science 101:

"To a certain extent the temperature of the earth's surface is conditioned by the properties of the atmosphere surrounding it, and particularly by the permeability of the latter for the rays of heat. If the quantity of carbon dioxide in the air should sink to one-half its present percentage, the temperature would fall by about 4°; on the other hand, any doubling of the percentage of carbon dioxide in the air would raise the temperature of the earth's surface by 4°. The enormous combustion of coal by our industrial establishments suffices to increase the percentage of CO2 in the air to a perceptible degree. Although the sea, by absorbing CO2, acts as a regulator of huge capacity, which takes up about five-sixths of the produced CO2, we yet recognize that the slight percentage of CO2 in the atmosphere may by the advances of industry be changed to a noticeable degree in the course of a few centuries." Svante Arrhenius, 1896.

(atmospheric CO2 circa 1900: 280 ppm. Presently: 400 ppm and rising)

[Private_collector]

Howdy Tony,

I'll take your word for all those figures and principles, all I know is that when it's hot it's BLOODY HOT, when it's cold it's FREEZING, when it's dry it's DUSTY AS ALL HELL and when it's raining it's a DELUGE. Personally I blame an old Subaru I had when I was a kid. The smoke was incredible. For some time now I have wondered if our species deserves to survive. We really are a grand example of 'Keep Clear, Demolition in Progress". I was in town yesterday to see the extent of the flooding at it's worst, and saw a family of 4 or five swimming in the swirling, grimey, flotsam covered and most likely SEWAGE FILLED waters. Mmmmmmm, yummy! So when they all come out with some virilant strain of previously unknown and most likely antibiotic resistant bacteria, their official medical diagnosis should read "Too Stupid To Live". Gives new meaning to 'going through the motions' , or possibly they were just swimming undetered . If there ARE indeed aliens from another planet (as opposed from Mexico) I can fully understand their decision NOT to prove they exist, in case we start making them dumber by osmosis!

The water is starting to subside in Gympie today, but the SMELL is something else. That's something the TV cannot convey. A smell instantly asssociated with the massive floods in Brisbane, 1974. That was heartbreaking to see.

Just bought a CMP book I saw on ebay a few minutes before. I was using my tablet computer when I saw it, and couldn't get the bloody thing to log me on, because of the poor internet signal. Went over to the laptop (satellite connection) and furiously logged on and bought it! I had wanted one of these for ages now. Figured I would go through all that frustration and find someone else bought it while I floundered with technology.

My two sets of rear spring sets are presently at the sandblasters, and have been since early last week. It dawned on me yesterday that the business probably went under water in the flood. There are still no roads passable for me to even take a look. At least they won't float away, I guess. They will change color though.

Almost forgot: Found a video on youtube of a Ford F60T. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TVJtRpdfWw It lasts a whole 8 seconds, and shows bugger all of the truck, other than a front 1/4 shot. Spielberg is safe.

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

I'll take your word for all those figures and principles

Actually I was amazed to find that Arrhenius predicted man made global warming over a century ago, and that his figures tally closely with today's computer modelling. He went on to speculate about the effects on mankind, and his words are quite prophetic - heralding Rudd's "greatest moral challenge of our generation", and the Greens' castastrophist warnings:

"We often hear lamentations that the coal stored up in the earth is wasted by the present generation without any thought of the future, and we are terrified by the awful destruction of life and property which has followed the volcanic eruptions of our days."

But he remains philosophical: "We may find a kind of consolation in the consideration that here, as in every other case, there is good mixed with the evil. By the influence of the increasing percentage of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, we may hope to enjoy ages with more equable and better climates, especially as regards the colder regions of the earth, ages when the earth will bring forth much more abundant crops than at present, for the benefit of rapidly propagating mankind."

Of course, he may be inclined to revise his views on "equable climates" if he had to live through floods and bushfires!

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

As we say in this part of the world.......Hello!,

No outwardly obvious signs of celebrating anything here just now. Huge winds, over 250mm (10") of rain in less than 24hrs. Last week, so dry I had to buy water. This week we are flooded in. Tanks are very much full, as of this morning. Dam that was almost dry thursday, is about to hit 100% capacity within next hour, then the excess flows out and adds to the flooding elsewhere. And flooding there is!!! Can go less than a kilometer in any direction. Further north, Rockhampton badly flooded. Tornadoes (said to be three in total) went through Bundaberg this afternoon, with severe damage in its path. Very high winds here. So high I can't get to the workshop without being water blasted! I'm not up for that. Brisbane expecting their share of flooding rains tomorrow, courtesy of rain overnight. They are about 200km south of here, so we will know about the rough stuff well before it gets down their way.

Radio tells us the heavy rain and bad winds arrive overnight tonight! Jeeezus! This is the entree, main course yet to come. I have never seen the wind this bad, ever. Even the dog won't come out of her house.

Still, got a new coffee machine, and fresh copy of CMV to read, so bugger the lot of it, i'm staying inside.

Wanted to make the wire frames for CMP mudguards, clean up a radiator and paint it, and a few other little bits. Nothing doing now!

Flash: just heard report of a 4th tornado in Bundaberg, and possibly one in Maryborough. Didn't catch if they said it had hit or was expected. We are about 50km south of Maryborough! Bundaberg is north of Maryborough. They got twister first, so I guess we are next in line, geographically speaking.

G'day Tony and All,

Today is Wednesday 30th of January and I can no longer hear the flood water from the Burnett River roaring its way out to sea. The continual sounds of helicopter shuttles over the river to evacuation centres has also stopped for the first time in 3 days. Like Tony I could only go in 1 kilometre most directions. Fortunately a ring road for the sugar cane haul out vehicles was constructed a couple of years ago so this new road is our only link to some other suburbs of Bundaberg.

I am on the outskirts of Bundaberg on 2.5 acres and our lowest boundary is also an intermittent creek. For a couple of days the bottom acre was a lake. It stayed away from my house and sheds. The water did creep up and touch the bottom of the differential of one of my parts vehicles. In relation to the Burnett River, I am on the opposite bank of the river - I am on the high side of the poor people who were evacuated from North Bundaberg. Distance wise I am about 1 kilometre as the crow flies to the river. Well a bit shorter than a kilometre now in some areas. A lot of people in North Bundaberg and East Bundaberg have either lost their houses or had water over their roof.

I lost power for 25 hours over Saturday - Sunday and then lost it again for 3 hours Monday night. Compared to what a lot of other people are enduring now and will so for possibly years before they can recover financially and emotionally from their losses, I have experienced just a minor inconvenience.

I have actually had power on for more than 24 hours without disruptions - cross fingers it stays that way.

I hope other people along Queensland and New South Wales's coast and inland have coped okay?

Kind Regards

[Tony Wheeler]

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

I hope other people along Queensland and New South Wales's coast and inland have coped okay?

Yes, very much hope MLUers all got through it OK. I see on the news that 63,000 properties are without power, so I imagine we may not hear from some folk for a while.

[Private_collector]

Hey Mate,

I had no idea you were in that area, or I would have asked how you were doing!!!

Glad things are settling down there now, but Jeeeezus, I wouldn't trade places with you there, that's for sure.

That reminds me, Ross Prince is outside Hervey Bay. He may have had problems too. I'll give him a ring in the morning to check. Only just getting mobile phone reception, but it's a little scratchy.

Added at 2020hrs: I just emailed Ross. Phone signal dropped down here again so I couldn't ring. If no answer, I'll try a land line in town tomorrow afternoon.

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by Private_collector

Hey Mate,

I had no idea you were in that area, or I would have asked how you were doing!!!

Glad things are settling down there now, but Jeeeezus, I wouldn't trade places with you there, that's for sure.

That reminds me, Ross Prince is outside Hervey Bay. He may have had problems too. I'll give him a ring in the morning to check. Only just getting mobile phone reception, but it's a little scratchy.

Added at 2020hrs: I just emailed Ross. Phone signal dropped down here again so I couldn't ring. If no answer, I'll try a land line in town tomorrow afternoon.

G'day Tony,

No worries Tony - it is all okay. I did not put my location down as anything other than "Queensland". Probably should put Bundaberg down - aye!

By the way Hervey Bay has been marooned for days and will probably remain that way for a little longer. Chances are telephone and power are down too. The internet has been far from brilliant of late around these damp-ish parts too

P.S Fixed the location to Bundaberg - Queensland :0)

Kind Regards
Lionel

[Private_collector]

Now have the rear spring sets back home. Blasted Friday, Etched and primed today, after a damn good blow with compressed air. They will be painted tomorrow, as will the remaining spring hangers etc..

The recently arrived inspection light was disassembled Friday nocte, and is now etch primed. It is a Lucas type. I should get it painted tomorrow. New (correct type) electrical wire has been ordered from USA. New aligator clips yet to be purchased.

I got back onto making the front mud flaps again this afternoon. All of the metal pieces have been fabricated and fit together well. I suspect the photo I was working off had a round bar weight at the bottom, but I will be using a piece of flat bar that will be easier for the guys to sew around, and this should make for a neater finish. I'll take these to the upholstery guys early in the coming week.

[Ian Johns]

Nice job. Now if I could get you to come over here I have a long list of the things you could fabricate for me.

[Private_collector]

Painted springs, the remaining 2 hangers, and inspection light body.

Placed the new engine mounts and installed the two earth straps. I had to do something, while waiting for paint on springs to dry.

Last thing for the day was re-attaching the rear spring hangers, pivot, springs, and then finally....the rear axle. That was a total cow of a job for one person. That engine hoist just paid for itself! I was forced to attach a ratchet strap to the spring sets, and pull them together so the spring centre bolts would line up with the axle. After half an hour of adjustment, I discovered the bolt head on passenger side was ever so slightly bigger than the matching recess on the axle, so had to undo all my work and get the axle far enough away to use grinder to round the bolt head a little. That chassis sure does sit high now. I'm very pleased that the chassis sits level at rear.

I will need a new set of U bolts. The one's I have are too long for the springs that don't have overriders adding to the height. We have a spring-works in town. The engineering works could thread further down the bolts and cut off the extra, if spring-works can't assist.

Next, I will remove front springs from the axle, and get them ready for blasting. I'm not comfortable with the rear end being able to roll forward/back and front sitting on just the stand. I don't trust my welding, and want to be able to attach the trailer axle to front. That will eliminate the possibility of causing a catastrophy by chassis falling.

Previous owner of the truck didn't have shock absorbers on the rear. Twit! I have em, and will start working on cleaning them up for installation.

A friend of mine has been trying to find Speedway brand tyres for one of his vehicles. He was told they were good tyres, but can't find anyone who stocks them. Is anybody aware where he can buy those tyres, please?

[Private_collector]

Originally Posted by Ian Johns

Nice job. Now if I could get you to come over here I have a long list of the things you could fabricate for me.

Sure, I would be happy to come help. It'll cost only an airfare and a CMP fuel/water tank.

Seriously, I will keep my eyes open for something similar to your tank. I like the look of a tank on a blitz. Wonder if I could slice one in half horazontally, and make it hinge open to be a campervan! Not a genuine one of course, modern equiv.

[Private_collector]

I have been looking at this vintage exhaust company in US, http://waldronexhaust.com/

They have round mufflers in 5 or 6" thickness, and any length up to 36", in aluminized steel, 16 GA for $80! Their checkout says shipping to Australia would be $25.

I'm asking for confirmation of shipping before I place order. I'll let you know if it is correct.

[Jacques Reed]

Hi Tony,

After saying a few months back I've never seen an original muffler for a CMP vehicle, while visiting the Army Museum at Bandiana Vic. in December I spotted this one on a Ford Ambulance. This was the only Ford CMP truck on display.

Noted the domed ends as mentioned by you in an earlier post and another item worth noteing is the position of the inlet and outlets.

As viewed from the outlet end, the outlet is at the 3 o'clock position and the inlet, is as the 6 o'clock position. This is not readily apparent in the parts manuals.

Noted too that the exhaust pipe and muffler are one unit which is shown in the parts manuals too.

Cheers,

[Private_collector]

Thanks for the photo, Jacques. I'll save that one, if it's OK with you!

I was begining to believe there were no examples of the original muffler left in captivity!

Is there good security at the Army Museum? I have a fresh tin of black boot polish and a balaclava my mother knitted for me years ago.

I could re-live my pevious occupation as a 'cat burglar'. By the way......wanna buy a cat?

Actually, scratch that thought, the balaclava is pure wool and I couldn't stand wearing it, even to nick a genuine CMP muffler.

[Private_collector]

On Sunday I hauled the front axle assembly around to the workshop entrance and started pulling the thing apart. First I had to kill the small brown snake that was living underneath. Removed the wheels/tyres, got off the springs, and gave em a good look over for any damage.

Spring sets were OK, but half of all the leaf retaining clamps were either broken or missing entirely. Damn! Guess I call on the springworks for a quote. All the clamps looked to be original, but one end of each set had brackets formed around the leaves, the other end of both had ones with a bolt. Puzzling!

I also need two new bushes for the front of each spring set. I always make a point of keeping any parts together when I disassemble something, but I CANNOT find these bushes anywhere. I don't recall noting they were missing originally, but also don't recall removing them when I pulled the front axle and suspension off the chassis some time ago. Once again......puzzling!

I attempted removal of the steering components, but this bolt won't come out. Maintenence manual says to whack the arm it's attached to, and it'll come out, but I only read this in the evening once I had stopped work, so I have not tried this so far.

A good read of the manual last night, has enlightened me on how to remove the pivoting part of the axle, which I will get done next weekend....I hope. It is already obvious that some of the seals are worn out, because when I tipped the axle to one side when removing the wheels, oil came out the pivot assembly. That means another shopping list for Ross Prince, for new seals.

Also found that this vehicle had the two part pivot seal retaining assembly, and for this I am truely thankful. It should make replacing the pivot oil seals a little easier. In theory, that is.

Look at the area just left of the diff housing. You can just see the brake line 'T' connector. What I want to know is what the hell is that long flat rod sticking out from it??? It is attached by the same bolt that holds the 'T' to the diff housing, and I have NO idea what, if anything, it is there for. Any ideas? If it's not supposed to be there, I would love to remove the bloody thing, as it poses a safety hazard to my shins and ankles.