Another C60L Restoration

[Tony Mathers]

The last couple of weeks I have been modifying my shed to cope with all the new tools and the old parts coming off the truck and the new ones being purchased. While this has been fun, it has distracted me from actually working on the truck.

I took today off work to go for a job interview, after which I stopped and got a new air hose. On the way home I called into Simon Allen's. After catching up on the latest restorations he showed me a seat he had picked up for me.
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I had thought most of the blitz seats were the same, but compared to original seat this one is taller and wider in the back. Is it Ford seat?

Simon had managed to get some work done on my fuel tanks, so that was good to see as well.

When my son got home from school he dragged me out to remove the motor from the blitz. My small tractor made easy work of the motor and gearbox, but the lack of subtlety with the tractor's gearbox made me think the tie-down straps would tear. So we put it straight down on to my patented motor trolley (piano trolley and planks) and tried to move it inside. The wet ground made this a test of endurance, but we finally got it inside.
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The next job on the agenda is to build a engine stand that wont collapse or fall over.

[Keith Webb]

The wider seat is late production, no doubt due to complaints!

[Tony Mathers]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

The wider seat is late production, no doubt due to complaints!

Thanks Keith.

[Tony Mathers]

I visited the Army Museum Bandiana today to measure up and photograph the Blitz and Studebaker Workshop trucks. The very informative and helpful WO2 Ian Pullen was on duty and was able to show me around.

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I was able to get lots of measurements and information on the little known parts and toolbox's on the workshop body. Including these bits:

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After that I visited Empire Trading & Disposals Company near Wangaratta and got some lovely new bits for my truck, including M113 lights for the taillights, a 1940 pick and a WWII Camouflage net to hide the truck from my wife.

[Tony Mathers]

I just finished my Phil Waterman style engine stand this morning (Thanks for posting the design mate) and put it to the test straight away.
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My son who happened to be home from school today woke up before Midday (I was stunned!) and decided it was a good time to start playing with my Truck.. (Its mine son, mine!)

So we cleaned the crud off the gearbox and then tried to take it off, Boy was it on tight... so we kept going back to cleaning the engine. I rang Euan for some advice (Did I remember to say thanks?) Since we were positive it was the gearbox that was stopping the pistons moving we started pulling the gearbox apart where it was...
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Yuck was it a mess, it appears condensation or something had over a period of time filled the gearbox with water.. It was a great excuse to set up the molasses bin and after buying a 3/4 ring spanner and an extra half hour of toil the whole lot went for a swim in molasses.

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The best part is, the pistons and bearings appear to be in great shape. The head needs a lot of work, but appears to be fine as well.

My son and I had so much fun we decided we should complete the engine rebuild ourselves.

Thanks Euan and Phil for all your help.

[Keith Webb]

I have a spare Chev gearbox if you need... that one looks like it will sound like one of the ones in Tony Wheeler's collection...

[Phil Waterman]

Hi Tony

You may be surprised how well that transmission will clean up. I've seen worse that have cleaned up and worked for years. One of mine was like that it was half full of water when I got it. Completely disassembled and cleaned everything polished the gear teeth with the scotch disks, replaced the bearings drove it for a lot of years. Not the quietest transmission I've ever had but was worth it.

Engine stand looks good.

Keep us posted on your progress

Cheers Phil