Willanthry Chev Blitz C60L Restoration

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Willanthry

According to the plate on the dashboard, this other cabin's details are as follows:
Chassis Model: WO96
Cab Model: ??
Chassis Serial: 3-8443-61358M
Engine Serial: PR3 946 470
Order No: SM-E52-448
Date of MFG: 3-10-44 AUS M

There's nothing stamped in the Cab Model section, nor any trace of anything having been stamped there, strangely enough...

Yes a C60L. And WO 96 was 'Truck, 3-ton garage Aust'. Built in Melbourne too.

Bob Moseley sent me info on one built about a week earlier in the same configuration: 3-8443-61308 M PR3946264 SM-E52-448 26 9 44 AUS M

[Willanthry]

Well, after much frustration, we've managed to remove a Fire Brigade modification from the Blitz; a rod set in one of the canopy frame holders to hold a spotlight. It's been set in rubber, and would not be moved by persuasion or brute force. We welded a bolt to the top of it so that we could wrap a chain around it and give it something to grab on to, and we then lifted the rod out with the tractor. Believe me, the truck was almost half a metre off the ground before the rod yielded and came out. In the end, human ingenuity prevails!! :P

Now the trick will be removing what's left of the rubber from inside the canopy holder...

And in breaking news, I've managed to locate the original canopy frame itself that went with this Blitz! It's also located on "Willanthry", and is doing service as a damned trellis! Luckily, the modification is not extensive, and if i could persuade the owner to part with it, i may gain it for my truck.

[Willanthry]

Yesterday, I managed to score the presence of the great John Mackie for a day to aid in my restoration. Myself, my father Glen and John spent yesterday pulling apart the spare engine we acquired with the Blitz, to see what sort of condition it was in. As you can see from the photos, one of the valves has been left open, and because the engine has been in the open for so long, water has slowly but surely infiltrated one of the piston sleeves. However, using John's expertise and honing tool, we've given her a bore out, and may be able to get away with it. The rest of the engine is in magnificent condition; the crankshaft is in amazing condition, all the pistons are fine apart from the number 2 piston, which has suffered from it's inundation, and we may be able to clean up this engine and get it running ourselves without too much undue expense. Lucky eh?

As you can see, we also scored rain yesterday, hence our makeshift shelter out the front of my dad's shed...

[Willanthry]

Well, the work on the radiator is finished, and i'm extremely happy with it. The core is fine, the radiator didn't leak even before we got it done up, the tank has been beaten back into shape and it's come up very nice under a coat of paint! All in all, very happy indeed!

[Willanthry]

I received the word from the people i bought my Blitz from that the canopy frame that belonged to the Blitz had been transformed into...a bird cage! Thus, in the interests of keeping the Blitz as original as possible, i acquired the canopy. The catch, of course, was that it was in the condition that you can see in the photo below. After a day's work and much cursing, my dad and i freed the canopy, and we've got it home.

Also, i'm posting a couple of pictures of the extra spare tyre carrier on my Blitz for a member of this site named Peter.

Does anyone on the site know which way around the canopy goes on the tray, out of curiosity?

[Mike Kelly]

Truck 3 ton Garage.. The trailer is just for interest ...its a seperate item.

[gjamo]

You may get some clues off this frame with the rear door still attached.

[Willanthry]

Ah, those are great photos! I thought that the end with the dog-legged poles must go to the rear, but i wanted to be sure.

[Howard]

Originally Posted by Willanthry

Well, the work on the radiator is finished, and i'm extremely happy with it. The core is fine, the radiator didn't leak even before we got it done up, the tank has been beaten back into shape and it's come up very nice under a coat of paint! All in all, very happy indeed!

Toby,
Who did your radiator, and how much?
HH

[Phil Waterman]

The Pioneer Kit mounted above the rear wheel sort of surprised me. While common to US equipment of the period I don’t remember see these mounted on CMPs. Was this a common thing, or was this an example of equipment moving around either in ones and twos or we had a shipload of them and decided to use them?

Cheers Phil

[cliff]

Originally Posted by Phil Waterman

The Pioneer Kit mounted above the rear wheel sort of surprised me. While common to US equipment of the period I don’t remember see these mounted on CMPs. Was this a common thing, or was this an example of equipment moving around either in ones and twos or we had a shipload of them and decided to use them?

Cheers Phil

Some were mounted like that. Here is two photos, one from the AWM which show pioneer kits mounted on the sides of cab 12's. Note both are different setups.

[Willanthry]

G'day Howard

Bob's Radiator Repairs in Griffith did my radiator, and they did it for a price that amazed me; $150, not including GST.

[Bob McNeill]

Dont want to hijack this thread but nearly all the unit had pioneer tools fitted, even the guns had pick and shovel. the tool rack fitted to U.S. vehicles was carried over to the Acco and is still fitted to Mack,s and Mog,s.

[Phil Waterman]

What I was referring to was not just the carrying of pick, shovel etc. What I was really wondering about was the American Style Pioneer kit with its steel frame to hold the tools, meant to be bolted to the truck as a unit.

Where these units common on WWII CMPs, or only when they had fallen off, been liberated, salvaged or somebody ship entire Liberty Ship full of them and forgot to ship the trucks they were to be mounted to?

[Willanthry]

I've been considering getting the seats and canvas doors done whilst i'm momentarily at a stand with the engine. As you can see in the photo below, i have all the springs for the back of one seat, and i also have the original spring base for one seat as well. The question i've been turning over in my mind is should i incorporate the original spring base into one of the seats? Obviously i'll have to use foam for the other, but in the interests of being true to the original, or just being sentimental, should i have the original springs in the other?

[Bob McNeill]

Keep the spring base either on its own or boost it with an 2" of firm foam ,it will need a good pad on top to cover the coils so they don,t cut in to whatever is above them. the foam is nice BUT the springs are nicer.

[Keith Webb]

I agree with Bob

The original sprung seat base formed part of the vehicle's suspension at least as far as the driver and his mate were concerned.

You'd be amazed how much better they are than foam only.

[Phil Waterman]

I've tried different types of foam and never found a really comfortable set up yet. Of course it depends a lot on how you intend to drive your truck and how good the roads are. If you plan to do any amount of rough road or off road driving you will be surprised (or not) by how often your bottom will bottom out the springs or foam. If your spring bases are really tired or rusted and all you can get is foam then try layers with a soft 1-2" on top and 4" of really firm under.

Don't forget the back padding and particularly watch the bottom bar of the back, on one of the trucks I didn't get enough padding between me and the bar and a couple of hours of off roading I had worn the skin on my back raw.

Has anybody successfully replaced the springs in the seat bottoms?

Of course I also suspect that our generation may be harder on seats then guys who drove these trucks originally. We probably weigh a little more.

Cheers Phil

[Willanthry]

Where we live, there's a fair bit of ordinary dirt road, but nothing that should overly concern the Blitz. The spring base is not in the best of conditions, but it seems to still possess a fair bit of it's bounce, and i'd imagine it'll be better with firm foam over the top of it.
Is there anything special in what the canvas seat covers should look like? I've got photos of the seats in my CMP manual, but just wanted to make sure.

[Bob McNeill]

The only thing to watch is the flap around the bottom bar and where it clip onto its self at the back, the rest is easy to run up on a sewing machine. Takes about an hour . The base is a little harder but not beyond you, if you lace it closed at back.

[Euan McDonald]

Originally Posted by gjamo

You may get some clues off this frame with the rear door still attached.

Hey Graeme, does the frame in your pic have a home as I am in the market for a frame on my F60L.

[Max Hedges]

Euan I have a spare one here
Max

[Euan McDonald]

Thanks Max, I'll have Keith drop through from Temora as he has the Rusty 6x4 trailer in tow and could just sit it on top. Ha Ha.

[gjamo]

Hi Euan,
Should be up there shortly will see what I can do.
Graeme

[Willanthry]

Well, today myself and my father attempted to put the canopy frame back in place on the back of the truck. Unfortunately for us, it turned out to be too heavy, too awkward and too big for us and our poor old Deutz-Fahr tractor to handle. We've wrestled onto the back of the truck, sitting athwart the tray, and once we get some more hands out to help, we should be able to put the canopy into it's slots.

In the meantime, i was wondering if any of you have photos of your Blitz seats in a complete state? i just needed some guidance, as the photos in the manual aren't as all encompassing as i could wish, and i'm going to attempt to run up the covers tomorrow.

Cheers!

[Keith Webb]

"As if!"

But it would make a funny sight.

Originally Posted by Euan McDonald

Thanks Max, I'll have Keith drop through from Temora as he has the Rusty 6x4 trailer in tow and could just sit it on top. Ha Ha.

[Phil Waterman]

Originally Posted by Willanthry

W.....

In the meantime, i was wondering if any of you have photos of your Blitz seats in a complete state? i just needed some guidance, as the photos in the manual aren't as all encompassing as i could wish, and i'm going to attempt to run up the covers tomorrow.

Cheers!

Here is the link to some detail photos of the seat on my web page http://www.canadianmilitarypattern.c...tingPage2.html click on the links right at the top of the page. I'll try and find some more and post them.

Cheers Phil

[Bob McNeill]

I get my seat canvas from the people who make blinds and awnings, turn it over so the stripe is on the inside. Pay about $20 for offcut 2x5 mtrs. plenty available in Orange.

[Willanthry]

With our faithful old Deutz-Fahr tractor, we've managed to put the canopy back onto the back of the Blitz. It didn't want to go, and after a few bent posts and some frustration, the canopy is back on the Blitz, after about 50 years of separation!

[Willanthry]

G'day everyone!

Sorry it's been a while since i last posted, things have been a little beyond my control lately, and the poor old Blitz hasn't had my full attention. Anyway, some updates; The engine is still not put back together, but I've painted the engine block with grey paint, and the rocker cover, sump, fan, timing cover and several other parts in a glossy black. I'm still having trouble finding the right piston for this engine, although I'm onto a chap in Griffith who is chasing up the piston now. He's already got me a full gasket set for the engine, which is great.

I'm waiting now of course for the piston, a carby kit for the Tillotson that goes with the engine, some time to re-assemble the engine and put her back in the Blitz. I've also prepared the tray of the Blitz for a hit with the Rust Converter. Towards the front of the tray, the truck had several wooden beams on it for many, many years out in the open, and under the rotting wood some surface rust has taken hold. Once the rust converter has done it's job, i'll hit the inside of the tray with something to strip the paint and everything off it, and spray a coat of primer.

Apart from that, I've sourced out an old Diamond Rio truck in the area and another Blitz, which I am thinking of making an offer on. This is an addictive thing, this restoration business!