Straightliner59 Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 The manifold: I have always loved the way the cross-rammed FI setup for the Big Block Chevy looks. I can't find anything about there ever being such a setup for a small block Chevy, other than newer electronic setups. I decided that I would build my own. It will represent a home-built unit, constructed by a craftsman, using the tools available to him. Think of a Burt Munro kind of guy. In this case, our builder was interested in seeing if he could build it, and make it work. If it's competitive, so much the better! Making it work was the aim... I began with the cross ram runners from Revell's '67 'Vette. I then found an old AMT (I believe) tunnel ram, for a small block. I cut the runners from that, and milled the upper surface flat, and cleaned out a place for the mag. I added a water crossover from an '80s Monogram NASCAR kit. So far, I am happy with it. I have just begun work on the throttle bodies. I selected some aluminum tubing that is very close to the size of the throttle bodies from a Monogram sprint car. To create a more cast-looking texture, I rolled it under sanding boards of diminishing grits. An ink wash, and a shot of Dullcote should do the rest. I couldn't help myself from white gluing them to the manifold, along with the Corvette script valve covers set atop the heads, to really begin to get a look at what I envisioned, when I started. As always, questions, comments and critiques are welcomed...even encouraged. Thanks for looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 I made the injector stacks using a punch and die setup I made back around the turn of the century. It's a very simple, basic setup, and is pretty much limited to making one size injector stacks. Fortunately, they're the size I need, here! They're long, so that they insert through the throttle bodies, ensuring that everything will end up in the same place, so to speak. I had to mock it up, again, with everything where it belongs, just to check it out. I'm liking it, so far! Lots of details to add. I also have to find out what's suddenly keeping the engine from "nestling", up front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingslug Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 One of my favorite induction styles..that and the straight up ones. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted October 19, 2021 Author Share Posted October 19, 2021 29 minutes ago, Kingslug said: One of my favorite induction styles..that and the straight up ones. Cool! I did a proper Enderle for my junior fuel dragster, a couple of years ago. I wanted something different, for this one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kingslug Posted October 19, 2021 Share Posted October 19, 2021 At a car show saw a guy who built a brand new 1969 Jag XKE and put Weber carbs on it..took him a year to sort it out..all 12 of them LOL.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted October 25, 2021 Author Share Posted October 25, 2021 On 10/19/2021 at 9:05 AM, Kingslug said: At a car show saw a guy who built a brand new 1969 Jag XKE and put Weber carbs on it..took him a year to sort it out..all 12 of them LOL.. I think I may have heard, a time, or two that may have actually still been easier than sorting out the Lucas injection! 😃 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 5, 2021 Author Share Posted November 5, 2021 Since my last update, I have built a radiator, installed pins for all the hoses--I found some very flexible vinyl tubing that will serve nicely for the water hoses. I borrowed a water pump from a Monogram sprinter. I had to move the oil filter mounting location, in the interest of clearance. I have been putting the mill to good use, drilling precision holes in the scratched fuel pump (not yet quite complete) and in the throttle bodies. I went over the throttle bodies again, with the sanding sticks, and polished the stacks. I'm very happy with the way those look! Questions, critiques and comments are always welcome. Thanks for looking! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan barton Posted November 5, 2021 Share Posted November 5, 2021 Dan, just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed your progress so far. I too am a big fan of the Monogram Edmunds supermod and while I have extensively modified two versions so far, I haven't gone close to achieving the amazing detailing you are crafting here for us all to see. Great to see this level of dedication. Cheers Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 6, 2021 Author Share Posted November 6, 2021 18 hours ago, alan barton said: Dan, just wanted to say how much I have enjoyed your progress so far. I too am a big fan of the Monogram Edmunds supermod and while I have extensively modified two versions so far, I haven't gone close to achieving the amazing detailing you are crafting here for us all to see. Great to see this level of dedication. Cheers Alan Thank you, very kindly, Alan. I sincerely appreciate your comments! Some have called me a little daft, for putting so much work into these old Monogram kits. 😅But, I truly love them. I find it satisfying to end up with something that is pretty unique! Thanks again, my friend. I am glad you're enjoying this! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 6, 2021 Author Share Posted November 6, 2021 Since I got home from work, I've spent some time working on the fuel block. Inspired by the works of Francis Laflamme, Tim Hoagland and Charlie Libby, I chucked a short length of 1/4" aluminum rod in the lathe chuck, mounted the rotary table vertically, and milled it square. I then through-drilled the single hole; It will mount the throttle crank. Next, I rotated it 90 degrees, and drilled the four holes for the lines that will feed the injectors. I then moved the chuck to the lathe, and drilled lengthwise through the piece. This hole will provide the main fuel feed from the pump, and the return. Lastly, I cut it off with a razor saw, in a miter box. Helpful hint--run your saw blade through beeswax for an easier cut! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted November 7, 2021 Share Posted November 7, 2021 On 11/6/2021 at 11:24 AM, Straightliner59 said: Since I got home from work, I've spent some time working on the fuel block. Inspired by the works of Francis Laflamme, Tim Hoagland and Charlie Libby, I chucked a short length of 1/4" aluminum rod in the lathe chuck, mounted the rotary table vertically, and milled it square. I then through-drilled the single hole; It will mount the throttle crank. Next, I rotated it 90 degrees, and drilled the four holes for the lines that will feed the injectors. I then moved the chuck to the lathe, and drilled lengthwise through the piece. This hole will provide the main fuel feed from the pump, and the return. Lastly, I cut it off with a razor saw, in a miter box. Helpful hint--run your saw blade through beeswax for an easier cut! Thank you so much for mentioning my name with such good machinists my friend. I am very honored if what I do has inspired you but I think what you do yourself inspires many... I always find something to add to my arsenal when I visit your threads. You've always been able to make amazing things in a conventional way, adding precision machinery only allows you to go even further! This is still great work you are presenting here, even if the word "work" is only used to describe things! You have fun doing what you do and it shows! 👌 Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 8, 2021 Author Share Posted November 8, 2021 23 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said: Thank you so much for mentioning my name with such good machinists my friend. I am very honored if what I do has inspired you but I think what you do yourself inspires many... I always find something to add to my arsenal when I visit your threads. You've always been able to make amazing things in a conventional way, adding precision machinery only allows you to go even further! This is still great work you are presenting here, even if the word "work" is only used to describe things! You have fun doing what you do and it shows! 👌 Francis Thank you, my friend! It's true--I am happiest at the bench. I enjoy sharing the things I have learned/figured out. It may be something simple, or, perhaps something that played on my mind, for years, like the louvers. It's better when we are all being inspired by, and learning from, our fellow modelers! You're right! We call it work, but, it's really our "play"! Thanks for looking, and, as always, for your comments! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 8, 2021 Author Share Posted November 8, 2021 I got the front cover and water pump painted and installed. I also installed a couple of the water hoses. Hose clamps are made from aluminum duct tape. I am not sure where the tubing came from. It is very soft and flexible. I suppose the left side hose could have been routed directly, but, somewhere in my searches, I saw one routed this way, and liked it, so...Thanks for looking! Questions and comments are always welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 13, 2021 Author Share Posted November 13, 2021 I got the fuel pump finished and installed, as well as the radiator. The fuel pump is scratched, and consists of 21 pieces of plastic and brass. The radiator is a cut-down kit piece with the tank made of laminated sheet styrene. The draincock is made from a short length of hypodermic tubing with a valve/handle made from thin brass strip. It feels like I am pretty close to installing the "short block" assembly. Questions, comments and critiques are, as always, welcome. Thanks for looking! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 16, 2021 Author Share Posted November 16, 2021 Another shot of the radiator. The engine is now in the chassis. Getting ready to hook up the main fuel line, and add a few zip-ties to hold some things down. Comments always welcome. Thanks for looking! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted November 17, 2021 Share Posted November 17, 2021 Good job Daniel the engine looks great in the frame, love the drain plug on the radiator! My kind of detail... 😊 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 20, 2021 Author Share Posted November 20, 2021 On 11/17/2021 at 8:20 AM, AmericanMuscleFan said: Good job Daniel the engine looks great in the frame, love the drain plug on the radiator! My kind of detail... 😊 We are of like mind, in the "details" department! Thank you, as always for your thoughts and comments, my friend! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 21, 2021 Author Share Posted November 21, 2021 (edited) I had to cut away some of the rear body, to get it to clear the chassis tubes, (which also ha to be trimmed)--It fits, now! Using their own color chart, I "Zolatoned" the interior of the body. Attached is I added bolts to the engine plate, ran the harness for the kill switch, and installed the bracket for the throttle rod. I think that I will be working on the header flanges, next. I will use them to make a jig to build the headers. It's getting there, little by little. A always, comments, questions and critiques are welcome. Thanks fer lookin'! Edited November 21, 2021 by Straightliner59 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absmiami Posted November 23, 2021 Share Posted November 23, 2021 Messin around with the eye phone like either one ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 23, 2021 Author Share Posted November 23, 2021 Just now, absmiami said: Messin around with the eye phone like either one ? Both are very cool! Looks like I will have new wallpaper on the computer, once I get home from work. Thank you, kindly, sir! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absmiami Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 Velcome heck with that - makes good w/paper on the work computer … Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 7 hours ago, absmiami said: Velcome heck with that - makes good w/paper on the work computer … The work computer is my phone! Fortunately, I don't have to much time to kill, since I go do my thing, then go home! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 I am beginning work on the headers. I used heat shrink tubing for the collectors. Once the pipes were aligned, and the tubing shrunk, I carefully re-heated the tubing, and formed it around the individual pipes. I made a buck, from the same solder I will be using for the headers, and tapered the end with sanding sticks, until it was the same diameter as the pipe. I am pretty happy with the way they worked out! I was able to bend the "tailpipe" by supporting the sides in my bench vise. One has a slight dimple in the inner radius. I will likely make another to replace it. As always, questions, comments and critiques are welcomed. Thanks for looking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absmiami Posted November 24, 2021 Share Posted November 24, 2021 Well done im just starting to grasp that the phones in our pocket do so many things better than the desk tops in the office … Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted November 24, 2021 Author Share Posted November 24, 2021 3 hours ago, absmiami said: Well done im just starting to grasp that the phones in our pocket do so many things better than the desk tops in the office … Thanks, Andy. Yeah, it's pretty amazing to think about the "power" we carry around with us! It's got more computing power than any of my first two or three computers did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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