F60L resto NSW Australia

[David Nicholson]

Originally Posted by Mike Cecil

What did you do with the boom crane? It looks to be the original crane as fitted to the F60L. Both the RAAF and the Army (mainly engineer units) used that crane type.

Hey Mike, I still have the original crane and winch driven by the PTO. Not sure what I will do with it yet? I was thinking of leaving it off, as it weighs a lot.

[Mike Cecil]

You have a 'Truck, 3 ton, Derrick', Army Registration Number 161942.

It was written off by Board of Survey from 2 Base Ordnance Depot on 5 January 1961, and would have been sold at auction shortly afterwards.

The engine number was the key.

Interestingly, the previous serial number (146477) was an RAAF GS vehicle, while several around that, for example, serial 146474, were the RAAF version of the Derrick, called a 'Crane GP', so it would seem your truck and several RAAF 'Crane GP' were all assembled by Ford at about the same time, and farmed out to both the RAAF and Army.

Regards

Mike

[Lionelgee]

Originally Posted by David Nicholson

Hey Mike, I still have the original crane and winch driven by the PTO. Not sure what I will do with it yet? I was thinking of leaving it off, as it weighs a lot.

Hello David,

I found this photograph at the Australian War Memorial website. It shows a crane like yours being operated in Queensland.

The caption reads:

Wongabel, Queensland. 13th of March 1945. A 3 ton derrick mounted on a truck unloads a car engine at 2/3 Infantry Troops Field Park. Corporal G.R. Moyle (1), handles the engine at the foreground.

Photograph accessed August, 4 2017 from https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C66242?search

A couple of differences between your truck and the one in the photograph taken back in 1945: your truck has dual rear wheels and the truck taken in 1945 has single rear wheels. The 1945 truck has a tool box mounted across the rear of the tray. Unless the toolbox was installed as an outrigger arrangement it does not look like it would fit on your truck?

Kind Regards
Lionel

[David Nicholson]

Originally Posted by Lionelgee

Hello David,

I found this photograph at the Australian War Memorial website. It shows a crane like yours being operated in Queensland.

Kind Regards
Lionel

Hey thanks Lionel!

My truck when found, was converted into a vehicle recovery truck, and worked it's civilian life as a tow truck in Walcha, NSW, Australia.

It had extensive steel plate added to the rear for towing cars by the front axel, it has the extensions added to widen front wheelbase.

I assumed that the duel wheels and extensions to the front would have been added when the tow truck conversion took place? Or did they have these wheels in military service?

Really appreciate the photo!

[David Nicholson]

Just a quick update on my engine!

I've measured the main crankshaft bearings(2.4993") and big end journal bearings(2.138"). According to "Ford Flathead v-8 Builders Handbook 1932-1953" this puts the engine around the 1946-48 I'd say as the Bell housing is still the old style.....

Any thoughts from the Flathead guru's?

[Jacques Reed]

Hi David,

Sure sounds like a '46-'48 engine based on the journal sizes but having said that in the course of 75 years the engine could have had a crank replaced. My '46 engine pictured had 8BA crank and rods in it along with the 8BA valves and guides.

The divers helmet distributor still seems an anomaly on a later block. Again, who knows what gets swapped about after 75 years. Ditto the alloy manifold.

That number you quoted "363:1 K" is that in raised lettering in either of the positions that "C69A" is shown on my engine block? Anecdotally, I have heard there were some odd block codes for things such as stationary engines but have never seen any documentation on such.

Here's hoping you get a confirmation of what year the engine is.


Cheers,

[Jacques Reed]

Hi David,

Just remembered- if there are no recognized casting marks on the engine, the water jacket shape will give you a good approximation of the year of the engine. I assume you have the heads off if you have measured the bore.

I refer you to Vanpelt sales website.

If there are large triangular shaped holes between the centre cylinder bores it is a 1938 engine.
If the top opening is triangular and the bottom two holes are trapezoidal it is a 1939-42 engine.
If the top hole is triangular and the bottom two are large round holes it is a 1945-48 engine.

This should narrow it down for you. See attached photo of two different types of head gaskets showing the openings described.

Cheers,

[Jacques Reed]

Hi David,

Attached photo shows the water jacket openings I mentioned in previous post.
My '46 engines have the two large round bottom openings.

Cheers,

[Jacques Reed]

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

Hi David,

The divers helmet distributor still seems an anomaly on a later block. Again, who knows what gets swapped about after 75 years. Ditto the alloy manifold.

Cheers,

Just realized, I don't think a divers helmet distributor would fit a post war block.

Looking at a picture of the mounting holes on one, they would not line up with the front timing gear cover as shown in one of the previous photos. Unfortunately I haven't got one on hand to compare so am relying on photos only.

I believe it is possible to mount a later model crab distributor on an early model engine using an adaptor such as one sold by Mac's but not the other way around.

Perhaps another flathead Ford person can confirm this.

Cheers,

[Howard]

Originally Posted by Jacques Reed

...I believe it is possible to mount a later model crab distributor on an early model engine using an adaptor such as one sold by Mac's but not the other way around...

That is my understanding, Jacques

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by David Nicholson

Just a quick update on my engine!

I've measured the main crankshaft bearings(2.4993") and big end journal bearings(2.138"). According to "Ford Flathead v-8 Builders Handbook 1932-1953" this puts the engine around the 1946-48.

Any thoughts from the Flathead guru's?

NOPE.

The problem with most American sources (Books or Websites) is that they refuse to acknowledge that the Ford V8 continued to be produced throughout the war years. Production did stop in the US in favour of the 6cyl, but the V8 continued to be produced (and evolve) in Canada. Most of the "New" features that the Americans received in '46 models were the results of Canadian development and production. Don't believe the Yank "Fake News"!

Your crank dimensions are entirely consistant with the with the 1939-45 239ci 99A that is the correct engine for the Ford Blitz.

Any progress on finding a stamped engine number, not a casting number?