purepmd

Hey Christopher, If the Euro trucks are similar to U.S. trucks, 1, the largest, is from the tank to the filter, or filters, then to the pump. Then one is the return line from the pump back to the tank. The injector pump operates at a pressure and volume level that the engine cannot use it all, so the extra fuel has to be returned to the tank(s). The last one could be representing the shielded section of the wiring harness for the sending unit to the fuel gauge. Without seeing this peticular set-up, hard to say for sure. Mark.

You're welcome. 1 last thing I should mention, if it is over-thinned, it will pull away from edges. Just make it a little thicker. Works like a charm. Oh ya, you can use it to seal hard to mask areas on bodies and cabs where tape does not want to conform, rivets, drip rails and such. Cuts with an xacto very well for crisp edges too.

Hey Jim, The method I found to work very well is brush on mask. You can buy the bottle of MicroMask, or, go to the Dollar store nod get a bottle of Elmer's Glue. Thin the Elmer's with water or Windex until it is like enamel ready to brush paint. Then cover the painted spokes with the mask. Let dry thoroughly, and paint the rim. When the paint is dry enough to handle, just peel the mask off the spokes. If any mask is left, it comes off with just water and a stiff bristled paint brush. I have used this very method to protect molded in Peterbilt emblems on the Revell and AMT hoods so the will foil up with greater detail. To make the mask easier to peel, put on 2 or 3 coats. The thicker it is, the easier it will pull out of the nooks and crannies of the spokes and lug detail. It is super easy, cheap and quick. It works for enamel, acrylic, and lacquer paints. Protects chrome on grilles, small details on dashes, all kinds of things. I think you will like this method as much as I do. Mark.

Since we are all wishing out loud, here is my wish list... 1. White Freightliner wheels, hub covers, hubs and brake drums, and tires, (throw in a chrome tank, battery box, and quarter fender upgrade while you're at it). 2. Autocar 5 hole aluminum front wheels, (with matching rears, it is a wish list after all). 3. Dimple free Ertl 10 hole Alcoas to upgrade the Transtar II. 4. The steerable front axle and rear 4270 air ride suspension. (throw in the exhaust from it too). 5. The DD v12 from the Bandag Bandit. 6. The Mack v8 from the DM 800. 7. The K100 wheels, tires and 8 bag rear suspension. 8. The Thermo King unit and tank from the Ertl Great Dane. 9. A dual exhaust upgrade set for the Western Star, Road Boss, and Diamond Reo, (White Freightliner mufflers as the basis?). 10. The lift gate out of the Short Hauler kit, (roll up door too). I guess that will do for now. 11.

Hey KJ, I, for one, would love to see a modern cattle trailer. As to the question of length, if you look closely at, for instance, a Merritt Cattle Drive, the trailer is made up of small, punched panels. There are short ones over the tractor and trailer axles, and longer ones in the center section, along with the side access doors. You could make the kit out of the small, individual panels, and let the kit be tailored to the order. X number of panels for a 48', Y number of panels for a 52' triaxle, spread axle, etc... The big concern with this method would be if it would become to labor intensive to maintain a level of affordability. The modern, squared off front panel, and rear door and panel could be the same. The roof and floor could be sheet styrene. I think, judging from the high level of skills of the truck builders on this forum, we could build the frame work for the panels, upper and lower deck, and attach your panels. I am assuming you are talking about resin castings, and if so, would the smaller panels be easier than 1 long side? I ask because my experience in casting is rather limited. Just throwing out my 2 cents worth. Thanks for your efforts making this hobby more enjoyable, Mark.

Insanely cool hot rod!

So cool on so many levels...subject, color choice, build quality...excellent work.

There are some great looking builds in this post already. Fine work guys. Here are acouple of my Petes; The firstis a Revell snap turned into a custom 358, and the second is a Frankenstiened together rescue of 2 RaG 359s built back in 1998 and still lives.

Ken, as always, great builds. Terry, awesome Autocars. The red on the first tractor is intense, love it. Here is my WWS.

Just got a set of the Bridgestone drives, and all I can say Is "WOW". They are awesome. THANK YOU KJ!

As much as I hate to quote Paris Hilton, "Thats Hot" seems appropriate.

As I said, Ken, your use of color is on a whole other level. Awesome 'Star.

Hey Guys, got a few cabovers to add to the mix. I really like the diverse responses. A lot of great models. Ken, I have viewed your photo stream, I am inspired by your color choices! Great work!

Hey Sean, Very interesting build so far. Great work on the steering. I, too, am in the turned wheel fan club. Poseable front wheels really drive up the 'cool' factor. Well done.

Hey Guys, As a former trucker, who has had to buy more than a few tires, you learn more than you ever wanted to know abount those things. While 11x24.5 tires are still available, and still have some of the highest single and dual load ratings, the most popular modern tires are the 285/75R22.5. Most large fleets use thes almost exclusively. They are cheaper and still have acceptable load ratings. However, they wear much faster due to the smaller circumference, More rotations per mile and all. 11x24.5 tires are measured, and named, by their section width, 11 inches, and wheel size, while metric radial sized tires, are named for the actual tread width, 285 milimeters. While 11x24.5s have a diameter of approximately 43 to 44 inches, 285/75R24.5s are about 41 to 42 inches tall. This is mounted on standard, 8.25 x 24.5 Alcoa or Budd wheels. The tires in the AMT kits are correct for the late 1960s and early 1970s when these models were tooled, and split rims ruled. By the late '70s, when length and weight laws went up bigger, more load carrying rubber was needed. These advancements, coupled with, the tubeless, one piece wheels rendered 10x20s and 11x22s obsolete.

Hey Jeff, I am really liking this build. Very eye catching paint job. Great job on the engine and suspension swap. Much needed upgrades. Very cool. Thanks for sharing. Mark.

I think someone needs to explain the difference between 'can' and 'should' to this gentleman. Sad...that would have been a cool driver had it been left right side up.

Thanks, guys, for the compliments. Brian, I made those, all of those, one at a time. I have a leather punch, that, unlike a paper punch, leaves a useable, small disc. The lenses are punched from orange and red medicine and vitamin bottles. The surrounds are aluminum tubing I cut on a small tubing cutter with a homemade depth gauge, filled to a uniform height in a jig I made out of aluminum tubing. The reflective backing is the foil lining from a cigarette pack, also cut with the same size cutter on the leather punch. The foil has an incredibly small grid pattern that resembles the LED diode pattern in the real bulbs. All assembled with clear nail polish.

Hey Guys, It has been a while since I have had anything to post. 2014 was a very tough year, but I have made some progress of late and I would like to share some pictures with you all. I have to finish the exhaust, intake piping, air lines, and driveshaft and I am calling it quits on this one. Here is the photobucket links;

Outstanding! I am very much aligned with JT, I like fancy working trucks, but this workhorse is work of art. Superbly done. I really like when great vision and skill come together.

Hey JT, I tell you what, you never disappoint. Really liking this build. A big rig that does not have a fifth wheel, opens up a truckload of possibilities. The either or stake bed idea is inspired. Way to go!

Hey Guys, Thank you for all the kind words. Doug, I wanted a unique trailer to go with this tractor, so I threw together a, 51', 3 axle, livestock trailer, with full interior bulkheads and upper deck, and the rear door relocated to the left side of the rear wall. I will post pics of the pair soon.

Hey Pavel, awesome build, well on your way to another masterpiece. I am always amazed at your weathering, such a masterful touch. Looking great. Can't wait to see what you will come up with next. Very well done.

Very clean build! To me, it has a 'purpose built work truck', (heay haul, chemical or crude tanker, etc.), look, right out of the early '70s. Weii done!

I agree. washed more than my share of mud off my trucks, and you got the pattern of splatters down.