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1/16 SCALE A/FC NITRO FUNNY CAR


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My first 1/16 scale model since I built Gene Snows Snowman for a friend  when Revell first released it. This is going to be base on the recently released  Hawaiian Charger Funny Car with changes to almost everything except the basic chassis.   GM body,   3D printed injected BBC,  3 speed Lenco trans,   9 inch Ford rear end in place of the quick change in the kit,  additional photo etch detail parts, and the inevitable scratch built bits and pieces.   This is not going to be a quick build  but I hope you enjoy watching the struggle. The blower in the last picture is not going to be used as this is going to be a straight up injected nitro engine.  I'll  try and do updates as often as I can as the various sub assemblies come together

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Update to chassis,  Last set of photos showed front cross tube going into and initial alignment on the jig.   Now the  rear members are installed and aligned on the jig  and the cage has been updated with additional tubes. More changes to be made back there but have to be sure the chassis is straight and properly braced   Also shown is the 9" Ford that is replacing the quick change.  Fuel tank with original holes filled and low spots being addressed.  The injector is show just to confirm there is no blower.  But a different more detailed and correct injector is on it's way.   This one belongs to a M8B BBC powered McLaren Can/Am car.  But that's another build.

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Edited by Ian McLaren
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Just a quick addition fuel tank with side detail and partially plumbed,  have to add a vent and the weld beads but that will be just before the final metallizer coat as they get hidden by paint very easily and the tank will be handled quite a bit yet, with additional fabrication for the retaining strap different filler cap and fuel system plumbing

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Mocked up the BBC and the nine inch on an alignment bar with engine as low as it can go in the frame and the differential in the stock location. That puts the bar right up against the seat. Looks like the seat has to change just to get clearance to allow the engine some distance from the frame. Moving the axle location up is a non starter to reduce the ride height and improve the stance but after setting the body in place I think a tweek of the seat may be all that is required. As this is an earlier style car the engine wasn't move out as much the later one, so the stock motor plate location is going to be pretty close. Next up building a ride height jig to allow building a proper body mount structure at the rear and differential supports.

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Mocked up the chassis to get the ride height measurements for the jig. Had to try the body on and there is almost a 1/4 inch between the roll cage and the roof (the advantage of a panel roof line). Have to pull the slicks in a bit and thin the resin body back there but there is enough room to do both. It will be lower in the front, that was the only spacer I had handy. Its been a good day

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Edited by Ian McLaren
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Update to steering, rear axle and engine front motor plate.   On the steering the spindles have been drilled and 1.2 x 8MM bolts have been added as king pins and well as the kit steering arms have been replaced by .015 scratch built aluminum pieces.  The tie rod is being replaced by a stainless steel tube and RB motion rod ends, as will all of the rest of the steering rods and radius rods. The 9" ford rear end has been narrowed to move the slicks in towards the chassis and to allow the body to fit over them ,  The front motor plate has also been made out of aluminum and is designed to hold the motor in its correct position in the chassis.

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Basic front end fabrication done, Removed molded radius arm mounts from top of frame rail and replaced them with scratch built aluminum brackets in the proper side position. Front of aluminum radius arms now attach to modified existing axle brackets with RB Motion clevis ends. Updated the fuel cap, but it may get changed again, at least this one would have been legal. Now it all comes apart so I can make it pretty. Chassis mods will continue with updated bracing from the firewall forward, differential mounting framing and rear body mounting structureIMG_4442.thumb.JPG.79c557af919dc416fe332ed4f0317c44.JPGIMG_4442.thumb.JPG.79c557af919dc416fe332ed4f0317c44.JPG

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Edited by Ian McLaren
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Finally got the jig done, now the chassis is straight, level and secured at the correct ride height.  Now the rear structures for the differential añd body mounts can be built.  Also shown is the front motor plate I built leaning up against the engine.  Looks like it will work out fine. Once the engine location is set I can either modify (if I use the kit headers) or fabricate new ones, which I have never attempted.   Not sure how that's going to turn out.

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Edited by Ian McLaren
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Fabrication has moved to the rear of the car now.  Differential anti rotation bars (upper and lower), body rear support structure and chassis modifcations.  Original structure removed new pieces to be fabricated and installed.  I want to give full credit to Chris Sobak   ( Mooneyzs)  for inspiring this build with his absolutely off the hook Vega model.  I'm not going to the extreme his Vega was built to, but I'm venturing into areas I would have never have attempted were it not for Chris's photos and explanations, not only what was done but also how.   Thanks Chris!

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Rear structures roughed in differential is supported and secured by functional bolts new rear body mount is also installed, drive line has been mocked up to make sure everything lines up and fits. now coming apart for cosmetic cleanup and beginning to add attachment points for various sub assemblies.

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Aluminum body mounts fabricated and temporarily installed, to allow preliminary alignment of the chassis with the body. Front radius arms shortened and brackets moved to avoid interfering with the steering gear.  Chassis secured to the body to determine the correct position of the rear body support tube/structure (a bigger diameter tube will be installed to better fit the brackets).  First time the body and chassis have been joined.  Just going to let it sit on the desk for a day or two before committing the current alignment to permanent. I think I'm happy with the ride height once I raise the nose 3/16 at the spoiler, but I may alter the front /rear positioning slightly.

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Thank you very much, Coming from you it means a lot!   I've been following your D100 and I am just amazed at the quality and precision you are displaying in this project.  The machining is great but it's your basic  modeling skills that I find exceptional and together the results are spectacular.

Edited by Ian McLaren
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26 minutes ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Very nice start Ian!  A lot of well crafted details done so far and your Nitro Funny Car is on a very sound foundation.  The use of the jig pays off and I will seriously consider making one for my next build.  Well done sir and I will come back to check on your progress!

Thank you

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  • 4 months later...

Been a while since I updated this build. Rear end mounted and parachute attachment pin and brackets installed, puke tank fabricated and installed, new steering box crossmember (bolt in) fabricated and steering gear mounting bracket fabricated. throttle pedal moved and bracket built. Brake lever moved inboard. New metal steering output shaft installed

 

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