Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

Keith Webb · #1 03-01-16, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Wheeler

Indeed it's arguably "standard" on Aust pattern FGTs as they remained in service so long! I have 4 FGT front shells and they all have this mod, as opposed to only two of my numerous other wrecks. It's a definite improvement and worth considering for any resto. I've found the most useful aspect is ease of radiator removal/replacement.

Quite true Tony, I'll be keeping the mod partly because it's a part of the truck's history and also for practical reasons.

And it's a fairly easy thing to get the engine in and out with that mod even though it's a bit tight. It's still a LOT easier with the front shell off. As for the radiator I fully agree, you can tilt it forward rather than lifting it vertically.

Lynn Eades · #2 03-01-16, 21:35

Doesn't the manual describe the use of a long wooden pole to R&R the motor from a Ford CMP?

Keith Webb · #3 03-01-16, 21:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lynn Eades

Doesn't the manual describe the use of a long wooden pole to R&R the motor from a Ford CMP?

Yes it does Lynn, there are even illustrations of how to do it, with the lifting chain miraculously moving from one side of the top grille bar to the other.

Phil Waterman · #4 03-01-16, 23:06

Hi Lynn

I've used the engine poll to pull the engine out of C60S and the trick around the hanging chain and the cross bar is two chains. One on each side of the cross bar, once the engine has begone to move forward pulling down on the end of the poll allows the chain on the inside to be slackened and remove.

The problem with pulling the Chevy engine is way is the height of the engine. Which means the lever has to be attached so that is basically sitting on the engine top. Might be easier with the Ford V8 which is shorter but wider.

Though given the time necessary to remove the nose is made up in the easy of pulling and installing the engine, that I only tried it once.

The lever poll is does make it easy to pull the engine the real advantage is installation when you can wiggle the engine around to get it back in place. The only really problem is that it is a two man job, one to counter balance and hold the end of the pole and the other to guide the engine. So once my teenage son was off to college had to go over working alone.

In a REME shop with lots of help the poll approach would be the fastest method. Two men on the pole to raise, lower and move the engine side to side and one man to guide the engine would be quite efficient with the nose on or off.

Part of the problem of course is that the center of gravity of the engine transmission combination is well inboard of the windshield and the front roof edge, so that the poll is actually reaching in under the windshield by several inchs.

Cheers Phil

Keith Webb · #5 03-01-16, 23:50

So that's how the chains are done! The main problem with the front shell removal on a 70 year old truck is there always seems to be one or more captive nut which doesn't want to cooperate. Also it's either a chain block or two man lift to remove and replace it too.

Phil Waterman · #6 04-01-16, 02:13

Hi Keith

Agree the first time removing the nose is a pain but if you have it off every couple of years it gets easier. Having the nose off means you are not climbing in and out of the cab every couple of minutes of course if two people are working on the truck that time would be reduced anyway.

Thinking back on it with Chevy engine in the end I think had to remove the oil pan and oil pump to get it out through the opening. But that was a lot of years ago now.

With all of the bolts cooperating it takes something like 5 hours to have the engine out of the truck working alone. Here is the link to the removal time lapse:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tBZN6nn_zk

As I have said before the reason for me doing time lapse is so that the next time, I watch the time lapse and it cuts down on the relearning curve.

Cheers Phi

Mike K · #7 05-01-16, 03:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

Hi Keith

Agree the first time removing the nose is a pain but if you have it off every couple of years it gets easier. Having the nose off means you are not climbing in and out of the cab every couple of minutes of course if two people are working on the truck that time would be reduced anyway.

Thinking back on it with Chevy engine in the end I think had to remove the oil pan and oil pump to get it out through the opening. But that was a lot of years ago now.

With all of the bolts cooperating it takes something like 5 hours to have the engine out of the truck working alone. Here is the link to the removal time lapse:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tBZN6nn_zk

As I have said before the reason for me doing time lapse is so that the next time, I watch the time lapse and it cuts down on the relearning curve.

Cheers Phi

I like the white coat

Looks like a mad scientist at work