Maverick Pro Stock/Match Racer

[Ian McLaren]

Your cool new part is certainly , is living up to the expectations.  From the photo you posted it kind of looks like a cross between an IR manifold and a crossram.  I'll be interested in the progress on this one for sure.

[Davewilly]

Very nice work! 

[mvadrag]

It is fun to see progress on this build.  All these miniature detail parts are amazing! 

The top portion with the curved plenums look to be hose clamped onto a fuel injection manifold.  Are you planning the same thing for your big block?  Will your little hose clamps work?

Keep it up! 

[GoatGuy]

My work is so Neanderthal compared to what you guys do. But your posts are very inspiring and fuels the fire to be better.

Dave

[Codi]

Thank you one and all for your continued following and comments.   I had to start the top portion over as when I attempted to cut it off.........well, let's just say it didn't work out too well.  So I decked the piece and started it again.  I have a different plan to seperate the top portion of the plate and I'm hopeful it works this time.   

Jose, I'm not going to use / copy the clamp thing that they did on the runners. I found a different design  that I want to replicate to join this top portion to the bottom.  Please be patient, I'll have more to post soon!   

Cheers, tim

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Sad to hear that you had problems with the top of the manifold (if I can call it that way).  You always come back strong no matter what the problem is, so I'm sure your next attempt will be the right one.  It just keeps the fun going... for us!!!

[Randy D]

WOW my friend , just WOW!!!!!   This build continues to be one of those that sets the bar waaaaay up there.

Gotta go back in to this and study some more!

Randy

[John Teresi]

Hi Tim......its been awhile since I have checked in......but,I gotta tell ya this Maverick is Golden.....simply the best......you know that old saying  "When I grow up,I wanna be like Tim"......that's the Truth!!!!!.......you inspire me so much Brother.

[chris coller]

Absolutely Amazing

[iBorg]

I checked in again just to be amazed. The A arms are stunning. The carbs....breathtaking. If I remember you're using a Sherline. I'd love to see more pictures of your set ups to help me learn about my set up. You've already shown me the possibilities.

 

[Force]

Very impressive work Codi!
I would not put in so much effort and time to do the parts like you do, but I really like what I see.

[Codi]

Francis, thanks man.  I didn't give up on it and made some progress.  Pics below. 

Randy D........for those that are not checking out Randy's progress on the Lotus bodywork, well be sure to check out his recent post under "straightliners" etc.............and thanks for continuing to follow my progress Randy.  cheers

John, thank you as always. I have always admired YOUR builds.  ALL of them!   cheers

Thanks Chris!

Mike, I took time to take pics during this next portion, explanations to accompany too.  hope some of it helps.  tim

Hakan, yeah, I'm an odd one.  I've gotten more patient as I've gotten older.  Progress comes slowly but I'm happy with where the build is going.  Hope you like it and continue to follow along!  cheers, tim

Sorry it's been a while and even though I've made progress on the new manifold I've still a ways to go. Actually the "trickiest" part to machine is the bottom portion of the manifold.......but that's another day.  Here's a bunch of pics and some comments for others that are machinists or learning as Mike (iBorg) asked for more insights.  Sorry to bore those that aren't interested in those details.  Cheers, tim         first pics of the top portion of the new plenum (parted off, yeah!)  the 2nd pic shows to the top and bottom portions in the tweezers.

the bottom portions of the plenum are made from steel as is the rest. I had to start with 3/16" 12L14 steel rod and used a corner rounder to shape each end first. 

after making a pair of them I used a ball mill to cut in a trough to secure the "torpedoes" so I could cut em' in half and drill the necessary holes in them.   They're secured in the trough with loctite glue and the brass "ram" I used is to press the piece into the trough so it's completely level after filling the trough with glue.  This is more than sufficient to secure the pieces while milling them down and drilling the holes.   The end mill pic included is a carbide 5 flute for steel & titanium.  the nozzle in the pic next pic is my shop vac to suck up debris and oil as I go.

the torpedo milled in half with the drilled holes

i took a pic of the small bottle i bought at hobbylobby that I use to apply the necessary oil when machining steel & titanium

when done to remove the part I soak the part for a few minutes in acetone.....then I was off the acetone with water and use a small torch to remove it from the base.  

this pic shows the lower portion of the plenum held up against the upper part

I then took the twin half moon plenums and cut them at 22 degrees by inverting my rotary table to be the angle I sought per the original pics of the manifold I'm sort of replicating. 

 

the .6 s/steel tubing seen in the pics will be used to detail the upper portions of the manifold btw.

 

[Nazz]

 Not bored and no need to be sorry Tim.  This is great work you are doing. Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to more! 

 

Jerry

[bobthehobbyguy]

Boring. Surely you jest. Its great builds and techniques that is the reason I come to this board. Its amazing how many great projects and skilled builders there are on the board. A great chance to learn from the best.

[John Teresi]

Tim…..this is AMAZING!!!!!…..love to see a MASTERS work.

[Chris Smith]

This is some good stuff Tim! Being a visual person, it’s great to see how it comes together. But I would still love to be the fly on the wall.

[comp1839]

hard to believe what can come out of a simple block of aluminum!! like watching a statue being chipped from a block of marble.  just beautiful Tim!!!!

 

[Ian McLaren]

While I'm always blown away with the finished products. Seeing all of the steps and additional work required for set up and jigs, etc. needed to produce said parts makes me even more appreciative commitment required at this level.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Fantastic Tim, your progress on the manifold is amazing and well done.  I love the technique you used, I would never have thought of taking this path but the goal is the end result which is obviously successful !   Thanks for sharing, I love it !!! ?

[cobraman]

Love seeing the parts you create. Everyone is a masterpiece.

[Codi]

Many many thanks Gentlemen for the posts........I'll respond to each of you when I get a bit more time.  I wrapped up the lower portion of the new manifold and took some shots of the bits and pieces that have to be detailed and assembled.  I'm pleased with how it turned out........although I will share that I spent more than 20 hours machining the bottom portion this week.  It's 12L14 mild steel which takes me longer to machine BUT the contrast in the metal color to the aluminum engine block/heads and valve covers was well worth it.  I'm glad I took the time to pursue this new manifold design and I think it is VERY close to the 1:1 pic I shared earlier. I'm estimating another 10 hours or so of detailing & final assembly of the manifold & carbs.   Please remember, this is for the match racer set-up for this 70's era Pro Stock......so everything goes.  This manifold I would classify as an experimental......a few burrs and minor clean-up to do yet btw.   Cheers to all and HAPPY JULY 4th WEEKEND!   Enjoy your cookouts and time with friends and family.  Tim

 

[Ian McLaren]

Wow  The new manifold looks great and is certainly a step up from the prior design (which I though was also great by the way). The color of the metal really makes a difference, it may have been more effort but worth it in the end.

[Straightliner59]

Yes. The difference in materials is a wonderful thing! Your machine work is impeccable, Tim!

[bobthehobbyguy]

Amazing work as usual. More jewerly.

[John Teresi]

Tim……amazing work….so clean ….absolutely love your work!!!!