Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[Private_collector]

Thought it was about time to get back to work on the front axle assembly.
Front backing plates blasted.jpg Rusty backing plate stripped .jpg front backing plate - filler.jpg front backing plate under putty.jpg
A number of parts were returned after sandblasting. Wheel hubs, hub caps, steering end brackets & both backing plates are now either under primer/putty or painted. One of plate needed a little cosmetic work before priming. I HATE panelbeating!
front backing plate new shoe adjusters x2.jpg
The plate I got from Jacques needed to have the brake shoe cam adjuster assemblies welded back on. Not a diffficult job, just fiddly, and as usual I had to make a special piece of steel with a hole through it to access the surface of the cam while allpying MIG weld onto it. I used two pieces of metal box, one pressing the bolt & spring upward, and one pressing the cam plate down at the same time. A pair of screw clamps were used to press the two lengths of box together so there would be sufficient compression on the springs. Didn't want them slopping around of their own free will. They don't! In fact they are very firm. I'm grateful that Jacques sent me the required parts for the cam adjusters, when he posted the backing plate. Cheers Jacques.

I'll put the wheel hub pics in a seperate post.

[Private_collector]

Front hubs painted.jpg Front hub closeup.jpg Front hub cap - too shiny.jpg
The wheel hubs required quite a lot of attention with the wire cup before I was happy to start the painting. Primer first, obviously. Try as I might, I could NOT get rid of the gloss. This can of paint has given me strife a few weeks in the past, and being aware of the issue, I tried several techniques to reduce the gloss that souldn't be there. No luck at all!
steering rod end bracket painted.jpg
I'll get the paint shop to contact Protec and see if we can find out why this paint is so glossy.
Monday morning mixing? Friday afternoon mixing? Employee just had an unhappy love affair???
Everything I painted today, will need to be given at least one further coat with a fresh can that has the appropriate lack of 'lustre'.
Valve spring compressor - unfinished.jpg
This is the valve spring compressor I have been working on over past weeks. Nearly finished now.

Both front axle/ diff casing halves are with the sandblaster, and I may get them back this weekend. I'll bet they are just as much fun getting out of my wifes car, as they were getting them in. I won't be attempting to progress beyond primer unless I have another can of paint.

[Private_collector]

Yesterday, I got the diff carrier bearing cups out of the casing halves. Well, my father-in-law did the required welding, I just pulled the cups out once cooled. The case is now ready for painting. The second of the steering knuckles got it's coat of etch this afternoon. I would have gone ahead with the painting today, but it was far too windy, or more to the point, wind direction was constantly changing. I only wanted to paint the truck parts, not our weekday car or the neighbour's, so no top-coat today.
front axle halves primed 1.jpg front Dside steering joint primed.jpg
Got further with one of the brake backing plates, which now has the full system installed, with one exception, I don't yet have two new banjo bolts to attach the new brake hose/s. I get those Monday afternoon. I need to buy one of the brass cams that are used for adjusting the lower end or brake shoes. Looks like the former owner wasn't good with keeping his parts in the one place! I did find the required brake retracting springs though. With a good cleanup, they were fine to paint & use.
front brake backing plate finished.jpg
This photo may be useful, if anybody wants to copy it. The new outer wheel-hub bearing and wheel hub seal have been installed, so I can confirm the part numbers shown in the photo are correct. Just be aware that the seal is thiner profile than the original. That suits me fine, because the contact surface (there's two actually on the new style) will now sit on a slightly different part of the shaft, and won't be sitting in the small valley created from wear of abrasion against original seal.
front hub bearing & seal installed 1.jpg

During the week I will be looking into having new U bolts made for the rear axle. Mine were too long and need the threads turned down about another 75mm (3"). That was to be attempted by the engineering folks, but they haven't had the opportunity to do it.

[Private_collector]

Painted the major parts of the front end this morning.

Once sufficiently dried, I moved them into the workshop, and found a way to store them without damaging any paint. Sliding each steering end & axle shaft into their respective axle case was the best I could do.
Axle halves painted 1.jpg Steering end painted 1.jpg Driver side parts drying.jpg Passenger side parts stored.jpg
Work came to an abrupt end when I was sliding the passenger side axle shaft into it's case when it caught on an internal rivet head, and came off the rivet just as my hand was trying to get a better grip. The bloody thing dropped about 8" onto my hand which was flat on the top of the axle case, squashing it and keeping me there for about 30 seconds until I could lift it a little to get the hand out. Oh my goodness, I exclaimed! All fingers move OK. Painful and swollen, but not broken. It'll be an interesting color by tomorrow, I would wager.
Worn hub seal line.jpg
How's this for a well worn groove! As mentioned earlier, the new seals sit in a slightly different location, due to thinner profile. That will work out well.

[Private_collector]

The engine parts are rolling in now. I'm mainly ordering upper engine and valvetrain stuff. NOS valves and slightly o/s main bearing set should arrive this week. I'm bidding on a set of adjustable (new) tappets, so I don't have to stuff around grinding the bums off valve stems!
NOS Valve Guides.jpg NOS Valve Retainers.jpg New Valve Springs.jpg New Head Bolt Studs.jpg
The NOS valve guides cost me $3.50US each, from a place in New Jersey.

Also received a new set of Flathead exterior bolts, but forgot to photograph.

I will be re-sleeving any cylinders that would require oversize boring, to retain original displacement. Saves me buying o/s pistons.

[Richard Farrant]

hi Tony,
All looking good.

Hope your hand is alright, a hazard of the occupation, I can vouch for that

regards, Richard

[Phil Waterman]

Hi

Ah yes the common grove, isn't that we are all stuck in?

But yes almost every CMP front drive hub seems to have this. Yes you are correct one thing about the new seals is that they ride in a different area.

One of my trucks has two of the new seals in the seal seats so that it is doubly sealed, pact the seals with wheel grease before installing to be sure the outer seal had a little lubrication.

I've looked in to Speedysleeve for this area if the grove makes the wheel leak to much but so far none of mine have ever had wheel hub seal leak that would require it. If my memory is correct there is a Speedysleeve that would do the job.

If I was going to do a serious water fording I would actually be more concerned about water leaking in.

What ever you do don't forget the axle nut keeper. That will really put a grove in the hub.

Cheers Phil

[Private_collector]

Originally Posted by Richard Farrant

Hope your hand is alright, a hazard of the occupation, I can vouch for that

Hello Richard. No great harm done.

A slight injury like this, is a good reminder that it's best to call for assistance in heavy lifting.
In this case, not that heavy, but bloody ackward to move around in the manner I wanted.

[Private_collector]

Phil,

I don't believe either of the ends had a keeper on there when I removed originally.
You don't meen the thick washer do you? What does it look like?