Friday 3/7
Posted by Dr Diecast at 3/7/2008 6:54 AM and is filed under uncategorized 
OK........ not sure whats up with my fonts but I can't make the larger. Must be a computer glitch and well I don't have time to call them so this is it.
Yesterday was spend continuing the mock up work on the El Camino including getting the engine and exhaust to fit correctly. Pictured are the stock in package motor and then the mess that is the bottom end along with the installed motor and exhaust. These motors are plastic with metal oil pans that are molded with the tranny.
The tie rod had to go thru the block and pan since this diecast car is made with a topper engine and molded one piece chassis. This is a way a company can cut A LOT of costs. So........ once everything is lined up I got to drilling out the block and pan.... the pan has a thin flat bar that comes up from the bottom which has a hole in it where the 2 blocks halves attach through. Anyway..... once cut out then its trial and fit . This means assembling the engine and suspension each time I make an adjustment and this is all without the headers on it. The only way to assemble this is from the bottom up as is shown.
Mind you the customers headers looks great from under the hood but in this case its whatever I can make work. Well make work included drilling out the sides of the heads to allow that tie rod to flow thru and thus allowing the suspension to look correct and still steer. I would say I have at least.....3 hours into making this workable and looking as correct as can be.
Then is was off the the top of the motor. As you see the stock engine comes with 2 carbs and a blower scoop. The customer car has 2 carbs but a different scoop. More of a dragster style so it was off to the parts bin for me and so be it I had something that would work but...... upon mounting made the top of the engine stick up too far and the carbs were rubbing the hood opening. So it was back to the parts bin and...... some cutting, trimming, gluing and we have what will be the end result. Even something this simple is still at least a hours worth of time. Remember you cant just cut/trim and go you have to do it in small stages to make sure you don't ruin anything and well...... its not like I can go to the shelf and grab another new one, LOL.
Please understand I'm not complaining but the difference between making something for yourself and something for a customer is HUGE. I mean I would have left the carbs, trimmed the hood opening and left the original scoop ..... that would be to save time and well this is to create a replica so its a whole different world.
I attached the trimmed out bed piece and created and mounted the bed roll bars. This also included creating the 3 piece hump over the axle like the real car. Now with this done and the bed almost completely modded I can add the ridge lines to the wheel humps and get some primer, texture and paint on it so its finally done.
While I did get the interior door panels finished I just couldn't get a good picture shot. I did shoot this one of the inside of the headliner. Remember this still needs to be glued in place and once covered with texture and painted will look molded in.
Here are a couple shots of the car in mock up. Note the rear wheels are from a 1998 issue 57 Chevy, Ertl produced. Im so happy sometimes im a pack rat when it comes to diecast car parts. This is the ONLY car they used these wheels on and will now find a new home here.
There was also a lot of work done on the 2, 34 Ford's I'm working on, basically wheel swaps but thats for another day as the majority of Thursday was spent on this car. The flames are up next.... should be interesting.
Have a great day !
Yesterday was spend continuing the mock up work on the El Camino including getting the engine and exhaust to fit correctly. Pictured are the stock in package motor and then the mess that is the bottom end along with the installed motor and exhaust. These motors are plastic with metal oil pans that are molded with the tranny.
The tie rod had to go thru the block and pan since this diecast car is made with a topper engine and molded one piece chassis. This is a way a company can cut A LOT of costs. So........ once everything is lined up I got to drilling out the block and pan.... the pan has a thin flat bar that comes up from the bottom which has a hole in it where the 2 blocks halves attach through. Anyway..... once cut out then its trial and fit . This means assembling the engine and suspension each time I make an adjustment and this is all without the headers on it. The only way to assemble this is from the bottom up as is shown.
Mind you the customers headers looks great from under the hood but in this case its whatever I can make work. Well make work included drilling out the sides of the heads to allow that tie rod to flow thru and thus allowing the suspension to look correct and still steer. I would say I have at least.....3 hours into making this workable and looking as correct as can be.
Then is was off the the top of the motor. As you see the stock engine comes with 2 carbs and a blower scoop. The customer car has 2 carbs but a different scoop. More of a dragster style so it was off to the parts bin for me and so be it I had something that would work but...... upon mounting made the top of the engine stick up too far and the carbs were rubbing the hood opening. So it was back to the parts bin and...... some cutting, trimming, gluing and we have what will be the end result. Even something this simple is still at least a hours worth of time. Remember you cant just cut/trim and go you have to do it in small stages to make sure you don't ruin anything and well...... its not like I can go to the shelf and grab another new one, LOL.
Please understand I'm not complaining but the difference between making something for yourself and something for a customer is HUGE. I mean I would have left the carbs, trimmed the hood opening and left the original scoop ..... that would be to save time and well this is to create a replica so its a whole different world.
I attached the trimmed out bed piece and created and mounted the bed roll bars. This also included creating the 3 piece hump over the axle like the real car. Now with this done and the bed almost completely modded I can add the ridge lines to the wheel humps and get some primer, texture and paint on it so its finally done.
While I did get the interior door panels finished I just couldn't get a good picture shot. I did shoot this one of the inside of the headliner. Remember this still needs to be glued in place and once covered with texture and painted will look molded in.
Here are a couple shots of the car in mock up. Note the rear wheels are from a 1998 issue 57 Chevy, Ertl produced. Im so happy sometimes im a pack rat when it comes to diecast car parts. This is the ONLY car they used these wheels on and will now find a new home here.
There was also a lot of work done on the 2, 34 Ford's I'm working on, basically wheel swaps but thats for another day as the majority of Thursday was spent on this car. The flames are up next.... should be interesting.
Have a great day !
Hi John...there weren't any pix on the blog today....CARL
Reply to this
So . . . how does the tie rod knock against the crank when it's running?
Hold COW . . . what a great job. Lots of patience involved.
I'm sure the customer will be happy with all the details! It sure is one sick looking model!
Can't wait to see the flames!
Reply to this
What ever happened with Sheryl at Staples?
Reply to this
I see where you are going with this question, LOL. In time my friend.... im still working out the timing on the new posting. Once I have it figured out I will incorporate more personal goodies.
Reply to this
That means there is good news! Goody!
Reply to this
IT'S GREAT TO SEE THE WORK THAT GOES INTO MAKING ONE OF THESE CARS. JOE
Reply to this