Straightliner59

I've started working on the Cirello mag. I will make a new, lower-profile cap. Still a detail or two, to add, and some shaping.

Those are awesome! I could use some of those, myself!

That aluminum duct tape looks like the perfect solution, in this case! Good thinking! I love working with aluminum in many forms.

I appreciate that, David! I never messed around much with large scale, because...well, I know me! It would likely get pretty nuts!😂 First off, thank you, very kindly, Pierre! As D.W. said, many of them didn't have any kind of cooling system. Especially in the Altered, Dragster and Funny Car classes. Mostly, they'd fill the water jacket, and give the water a place to expand to, as it heated (the canteen, here.). I recall seeing quite a few of them with draincocks, just above the oil pan rail, one on each side of the engine. Generally, they're not running for more than about a minute at any given time. In this instance, I simply mounted the filler neck to the hole where the water pump would attach to the front of the block. The other water port is simply blocked off by the bracket that mounts the canteen. The two lines that feed the canteen are the expansion lines that drain from the ports where the water crossover, and upper radiator hose and t-stat would be, on a stock-type system. Modern "big show" fuel cars run (I'm pretty sure) 32 injectors! Eight each to the hat, and manifold, and two down nozzles per cylinder, in the heads. It's insane! Modern Nostalgia Top Fuel cars run 16. Eight each to the hat and manifold. Down nozzles are not allowed in N/TF.

Well, that's done! I like the water filler neck. I stretched some bendable plastic rod, then bent it, after it cooled. I think it's a good shape, and it fits where it's supposed to! It would probably be better, mounted in a higher position on the engine, but, it has to be somewhere the water jacket penetrates the block, so, this'll do! Thanks to Muncie, for pointing out an error, to me! It's much appreciated. The manifold's installed, as well. On to the mag! Thanks for looking!

Well, that brings back some memories! What a cool place that was!

Pretty much from the beginning, meaning when they were called FX or Factory Experimental. At first, they were allowed a 2% alteration in wheelbase--they were allowed to move the axles forward 2% of the wheelbase. It quickly changed when the wheelbase alterations became more and more radical, and people started saying they looked "funny". It stuck!

I've been enlightened to an error!🙂 A bit more "figgerin'" is in order!

I've been fiddling around with the cooling system--what there is, of it. It consists of a place to add water (the brass-colored hex cap at the front of the manifold), and a place for it to exit, and to collect, as it expands. i cleaned up the canteen from an AMT Wynn's Charger, and drilled it and added a brass hex-shaped cap, and an eye (made like those for the tennis balls) for something to attach a tether, of some sort, to. I still need to make the mounting bracket. That will mount to the holes that mount the water pump, and will double as a block-off for the water pump holes. It should look pretty cool, I'm thinking! I'm getting pretty close to building the mag, and getting the plug wires (with their 90-degree boots) done. Those will be fun! As is always the case, your questions, comments and corrections are welcomed. Thanks for looking!

I know a lot of guys used corduroy fabric for seat coverings and interior door panels. I didn't start building until '72-'73. I used thread for spark plug wires, once, and hated the look, so, I started using monofilament fishing line, and had to make anchors of bread tie wire, to hold them down! I drilled into the engine, and glued them in (I left one end like a pin, the other was an elongated loop, to enclose the "wires"). I would pick up phone wire, around the base of any pole I found it. As far as tools, pretty soon after I started building, I found a Globemaster vise in one of those cheap tool bins in an auto parts store. I still use it, today. Even then, if I thought it might be handy, at some point, I'd get it. I remember using washers for brake rotors. I'm sure there'll be a ton of more interesting stories, than mine!

I was going to suggest that Pierre might have a thing, or a thousand, to share on this subject! I see he's chimed in, now. When it comes to brush painting, I'd consider his word the gospel.

You're making great progress, Pierre! Plug wire boots are excellent. Love watching fine scratchbuilding--and this is a sure place to find it!

This has some major cool potential!

I know the situation, well! It took me decades to learn to move on. I only really have, the last five years, or so--interestingly, my most productive years! Still, it's always a joy to watch you work, my friend!

Thanks, David! There are a couple of things I think could be better, but, I'm still trying to figure out how to accomplish them. I've been trying, for years to come up with a better way to make connectors for the linkage rods to linkage connection. I've been using fine wire for the rods, and insulation for the connectors. It works, and looks okay, but, I still think there has to be a better way! I have an idea I want to try, but, it'll wait until next time, or until one of those times comes that, "I just have to try that, now!" 😂

Thanks so much, my friend! My friend, Don Fahrni used to say, when people would ask him if his details like that worked. He always said, they work, but they don't move! What he meant was that he assembled it, so that it would work, then cemented it rigidly, to eliminate problems, down the road. I've always kind of followed that philosophy, as well--except, I am lazy, where components will never be seen--like this car, between the dash and firewall. I really can't see any reason to put all those details, under/back there. Leaves more time for details, where we can see them!😃 Thanks for visiting!

It is always pleasing and inspiring, to watch beautiful scratchbuilding! The steering is fabulous, Pierre!

I think we've found a nice collection of friends, here, wouldn't you say?

Welcome to 2025! Man, that whole Y2K thing was a quarter of a century ago, already! The fuel system is pretty much done. I'll still have to cement the main and the return to the fuel block, but, there's nothing left to do with those, but the cement. I still have a couple of things left to add to the manifold, before I can stick it down, for good. I'm fairly pleased, with it. Your questions, comments and critiques are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

I cheated, a little with those. I just hand-turned 1/32" K&S brass tubing against a sanding board, to taper one end, then cut them off in a little Micro Mark miter box. I'd never tried them, before, but it worked out, well! Previously, I just used wire insulation. Thanks, Brian!

What an excellent job of fixing this thing Love the steering components you built!

I just wanted to say that I love this comment!

One of these days, I'm going to build myself an English wheel.

That'll definitely save you work, later!

I've gathered all kinds of stuff to form sheet. There are different shaped horns for jewelry-making that fit into square holes in anvils for making different radii bends in sheet. I have three different anvils. I filed the tang on the smallest one to shape an aluminum scoop for one of my projects. When I did the tail and nose sections of my Nostalgia Top Fuel car, I carved wood bucks, and shaped tin, over them. Randy Ditton has a Birdcage Maserati that is unbelievable, so, if he sees this, he might have some good insight, as well. I told him that my dragster body is a downspout, compared to that! Like Bill mentioned, I have a couple of cheap body dollies from Harbor Freight that work well for shaping sheet. I bought a chasing hammer, too. I made a "hammer" for shaping dragster cowls, that's nothing more than a piece of steel rod that's about 10" long. One thing I've learned is that the metal will kind of "talk" to you, as you gain experience. That, I can't really explain, other than, at some point, you start to get a feel for it. I've had a lot of fun with it, over the years!