426-Hemi

So I was procrastinatin' the BMF, and it turned out great, so once all that was done I got right into adding the window glass!!!! Just to get this body as close done as possible. As I have a few details to finish up for the interior OR that would have been added to the body too! But the glass turned out great! Windshield. Drivers side rear window glass. (kinda hard to see its so clear!) Rear window glass. Passenger side rear window glass.... I'm pleased with everything on the body so far, considering the trouble I had with the white paint originally! This one is coming right along!!!! This is all I've gotten done on this one in the short time from my last post till now, But, more will come! Thanks for following along, comments appreciated & welcome, ENJOY!

Thanks David! Yes this kit is a challenging one to say the least! WOW.... I'm fighting one of those challenges now..... fitting the interior to the body and then that whole sub-assembly to the frame, and adding all my added details and wires which some of them are kinda like "plug-in" mounted as the frame goes under the car! The fun never ends in this kit!

I'm fully healed right now, yes! BUT back in 2015, it (the accident) happened on July 3rd, and took till I THINK the middle of November of 2015 that I could even touch a model (yep drove me crazy!) BUT I fought through it for 6 or 8 months later! NOW however, I'm facing yet one more surgery on my right hand because of the injury... But thats yet to come I'm trying to get as much done as I can before that time (I have yet to schedule it.) So.... Yeah the accident did take some modeling abilities from me for a time!

I've finally got the clear coat done on the body! SO I got right to polishing it up a bit, and getting it ready for the grille and tail light parts as well as bumpers, and such as this model NOW only needs BMF, window glass, tail lights, bumpers, interior roof liner painted to match the rest of the interior, and assembled! The frame is DONE, the interior is DONE, most of the details are ALL in place! SO there actually is very little left to do to this one before its completed!!!! So with that, I thought I'd give a little background on the body work, and the things needing done yet and then go right to the pics of the nice bright Red paint job! (Goes somewhere between PP-1 Matador Red and E-5 Rallye Red).... All these taken WITH my shops general overhead lighting as well as my work bench lighting AND my Camera flash! Then you got these: These were taken with no camera flash but the use of my bench lighting and overhead lighting! NO camera flash, no bench lighting, and only overhead lighting! I'm absolutely AMAZED at that finish! It looks GREAT! So with that, I got right to adding chrome parts.... The grille is in-place and there to stay! The BMF is coming tho! Thanks for looking & following along on yet another build of mine! This one is SO CLOSE done! Stay tuned! Comments welcome and encouraged! ~ENJOY!

You mean me? I don't have CAD to be able to 3D print... I was asking what you'd want for a a set of heads, valve covers and an intake!

Pete, Well Lexan is something else that for clear plastic sheet will stop a 44 magnum bullet at close range as well as a 357 shot at close range at only 1/2 inch thick, on a 4 foot by 4 foot section! That head on the Briggs engine? Looks to be more close to 1 inch thick (maybe even thicker!). AND its small. A lot smaller then the 48 inch by 48 inch section to stop a close range bullet from a 44 magnum or a 357..... I only know this as we used it for state building main office that I was a maintenance engineer 1 for. Was used as a protective barrier in the entrance of the main office only 1/2 inch thick! -Kinda like what ya see in a Bank. The plug center in that clear head actually I do not believe have any effect on the strength of that Lexan head..... I do not believe that a Briggs engine plug fire has that much impact.... Whats really impressive I think, is the mere fact the firing of the gasoline and all didn't burn/charr the underside of the clear Lexan where we viewed it from!

Dave, Yeah don't I know it on that frame. GRRRRR I hate when model kits are made factory sloppy like this! LOL I have to go to all sorts of wild extents to get things to mate up right to "glue" right or seemingly right anyway. A LOT of work in some cases this one is gonna be a real PIMA to do! I can see it coming! As for the door handles, yeah, I have some more BMF to do.... I stopped to take a bit of a break on the BMF to get things so I could have a little something "solid" to hold onto.... As I'm not sure you went and read through my '68 Roadrunner build, first page, first posting, but back in 2015 I went through a bad firework accident that made my hands not so easy to use on things so I go about things a little differently now and holding onto things at times depending on what I'm grasping is an interesting task so doing the door handles had to wait as I didn't want to "crush" the roof supports trying to hold that body while doing the BMF.... Specially because my right hand can hold an exacto knife easily, but its the left hand I have more trouble with! Which is the hand I'd use to hold that body with, SO with that I got all the window glass in-place, as well as the interior to "stiffen" up the body so that I could grasp it a bit easier!!! The things we learn when we have too to get the same end result.... Fun NEVER ends!!!!

I wouldn't mind getting a set of valve covers, a set of heads an intake and a set of the exhaust manifolds, I have I believe a block those arts would fit right on without a hitch!

It sure does Dave!!!! I have to "fill in time" waiting somehow!!!! This is why I'm building/working on 3 models at once "Round-Robin-Style".... THEN the 3 of them will be "D-O-N-E" around or very close the same time!

I LOVE the mean as nails look of that red one you first posted pics of! Thats an AWESOME lookin' 'Cuda!!!!! LOVE how ya "opened" the gills too! NICE job!

Yep I have to say I agree the black stripe will look better in its own way! Not that the white looks bad at all, just more of a color conflict is all but still looks GREAT on that car just because its different!

So getting that inspiration up to do the BMF..... WELL then..... I got the BMF one the whole car, (took a bit over my night-owl ways) and got it all done! And once it was done, I added the light bar to the roof, to stay! Not to bad!!! The light bar centered out well with how I drill the holes for mounting it.... I have to say, I'm surprised! That the BMF turned out as good as it did as I've said I don't think I'm all that good with it, BUT it did turn out pretty good on this one with very little error on my part, (It could be better if I had better prepped the body BEFORE I painted it), but thats my own fault from the very beginning, BUT thats OK as it really doesn't look all that bad! I am surprised! And pleased at the same time! I left the rear bumper OFF the body till all the parts for the interior are in-place and the interior tub is in-place, so that when I go to put the frame under the body, (something's telling me) that I am gonna have an issue mounting the rear portion of the frame and to leave that rear bumper OFF the body, will grant me the space needed to get inside there, to add any type of "mount" to hold both the frame to the body and vice-versa.... As we ALL know this kits "fitting" issues, are horrific but the fitting of the frame is probably THEE WORST I've seen on ANY model so far! (I honestly do not believe the frame in this kit is actually "made" for this kit!) In fact, I think that single one frame is used for several other models as it signifies a section on the back of it to be removed for another model (I can't recall it right now as I am not close by the instructions sheet) BUT, I know its not just for this kit! So I thought it be smart to leave the rear bumper off till I'm ready to mount the frame just in case I need to get in there to make some sort of mount to hold the body up off the frame a little to get that factory spacing for the wheels and wheel openings in the back as if mounted right out of the box, it look like a low-rider! Thats it for now! More to come as I get things done! As always Comments always welcome, and I appreciate the following of my builds! ~ENJOY!

Now right back to it..... The front bumper is in-place, as well as the headlight bezels and grille sections, so checking the body to get it ready for everything that it will either be getting for details OR need painting and finish work.... Looks GREAT as-is so, I thought I'd get to drilling the holes for the roof strobe light. (assembly of the roof strobe was a bit of a challenge!) WOW does NOTHING to it fit right too! So I got the roof of the car drilled for mounting the Strobe light to it.... I sort of followed the kits indents from inside the car starting out with a really small drill bit and "step Drilling" up till the holes were 1. Centered side-to-side with the light bar, and 2. fit just tight enough a little pressure was added to the light bar to pull it down once glued and the roof would make that "pulling force" all by its own nature of the curvature of it. (to make the light bar seem somewhat "flat" and level on the roof, as it was slightly upwardly arched.) Not to shabby! I'm pleased how that all turned out with a little bit of thought and some skill machine work. As I wasn't 100% sure that the holes dimpled inside the car was accurately placed for the light bar up top.... PLUS having to drill through a PERFECT finish and not ruin it was a concern too (I use ALL brand new drill bits for that very reason!) -Then being only used twice, put them back in there package! As the ones I have out thats been used, aren't "bad" I just wanted that sharp new edge to cut and not possibly mar that finish! So with that, I'm gearing up and getting the gut fortitude to go about the BMF (I second guess myself on that stuff, I don't think I'm all that good at it) BUT, I also know, the more I use it, the better I'll get and lets face it, I got my share of models to add it too that are sitting and waiting to get that close to being finished so..... So then, BMF it is comming right up! -Stay Tuned! Comments always welcome, Thanks for looking!

Well a little time has passed as I been going on and on around the house with different things (I hate it when life things get in the way!) But it happens you deal with it and go on... ANYWAY in the middle of all that I actually got a little done on this build. As I had gone and put a lot in to another I got real close done too, and then theres a 3rd on involved too! BUT building as I am, I'm getting things going on each of the 3 of them and this one happened to come up next! So in my last update, I got the taillight lens detail-painted and in-place and then installed onto the rear bumper, and then prior to that got the grille ready as well as the headlights and got the 2 license plates onto their own "plate" as decals and those got to be added to place on each bumper. So with all that setting and ready I had to give the body yet one more shot of Gloss Lacquer Clear Coat and hopefully that was thee last it needed and it was! SO once that was dry to be handled by hand, I began looking and adding the waiting parts! I got the headlights in-place, as well as the 2 part grille! (I would NOT mind finding a silver-ish/chrome lettering for the word "DODGE" pn the driver side lower grille) Theres a location for it but not "embossed" into the plastic enough to "highlight" it so.... Thats OK MAYBE before the cars considered "done" I'll locate something! Front bumper headlights & Grille sections look pretty good (the best I can get them to be considering the issues with the parts and detail that MPC/Round 2 didn't add to the molds!) So I'm happy with what ya see, as there really isn't much more I can do to physically make it any better, without a total re-designing of parts..... And sadly, I think I've "re-designed" enough to make this kit look good! Its hard to make a silk purse out of a Sow's Ear! Stay tuned.... More to follow these very short messages! Thanks for following along, ~ENJOY!

Sorry I missed your posting! But Thank You! I'm adding WAY more detail to the kit then its actually worthy of having in its own right as a model kit it leaves A LOT to be desired of! But, is the only way to make the model worth while if your gonna do it, do it as best "you" can is what I say so I'm doing all I can..... Thanks tho! Much appreciated!

Well a little further on this one (the body and hood sit in wait for a chance of another coat of Gloss Lacquer Clear Coat to be applied currently) SO I thought while I was waiting for things to dry on another build, I'd see what "little things" this one could use to be done to have waiting for when it came its turn! The one thing I had waited on in finishing was the Air Cleaner... -I did not get the "proper" air cleaner decal, BUT I did get something close and I THINK I added just enough "Roadrunner" to it to make it "passable"! Thats not to say I won't go back later on and give it the correct "pie-tin" decal, if I get one, as I made the air cleaner removable from the model! (I do that on almost all of my builds!) But, if not I'm good with how its currently done too! I made that air cleaner too! From what I have had and those I've used as well as knowing whats all out there for "stock" air cleaners for a 383 Roadrunner engine, nothing was even close to the actual part in looks! SO, it was turned on my Unimat lathe, with all the proper contours (or VERY close to), and made a tad bit "higher" as they were on the 383 Roadrunner engines, and then got painted as close as I could get it to be to resemble that of the real thing. Then once dry, The Pie-Tin area got gloss coated to seal on the decals, and the air cleaner itself got flat "dullcoted", as per the real thing, or what I've seen and remember seeing in the garage. The only "detail" left under the hood now is the PCV hose from the valve in the valve cover, to the air cleaner. Thats yet to come! This is all I've gotten done on this build but there WILL be some more to follow! As I need to get the hood and the body in the spray booth for hopefully the last coat of gloss Lacquer Clear Coat! Thats all for now folks! More will come as I get closer to the finish line! Comments always welcome too, ~ENJOY

-Yeah I can't see why it wouldn't work! I haven't tried it tho, I have thought about it!

Steve, I say that does tho look good! The color of it "tweaking it" a bit, I'm not sure I would on that mix........ that be AWESOME trunk lining!

What exact color of Embossing Powder is that!? That does look good! -I use the Embossing Powder for my interior carpeting! -NICE tip!

-Then you tell me WHY they make them to sell? See below! http://www.moparmall.com/OE-Style-Molded-Hood-Insulation-Pad-for-1968-1969-p/827-035-_-825-336-x25.htm

Well I haven't got much for model building updates and I haven't added anything ot my Stash in awhile BUT, I got a little in the mail this week! SO, I'll use that as my update for my contribution! In a trade, (naturally) I got a nice little box from a guy that wants a couple engines of mine, as well as having a few of the new castings I have planned when done! So this is what he sent in trade, (And I knew of some of it), but quite a BIT of it came as a surprise! And I'm pleased with that all for the trade, (A good surprise, is always nice!) Overall of the whole "lot".... YEP Dodge truck parts!!! (I am planning and fore-going a search for parts) I want to build a Crew Cab 70's Dodge truck! Its starting to look like it may actually happen! I also had need for a few Step-Side Dodge beds, WELL I got those (all complete too!) With their tailgates! And some interesting parts as well! This one took me by surprise! That black hood! I'm not planning a "pulling Dodge truck BUT. thats the hood for one of them! The Blue hood WAS one too but the guy cut the center out and made it somewhat similar to the early 70's hoods like the Lil Red Express truck had! An extra cab, for my Crew-Cab build! (this is headed for the purple pond!) Its setting on an extra frame too, thats NOT glued to it, its merely only setting there. I got the front inner fenders as well from a 2nd frame too! SO, I'll be using A LOT of all this in upcoming trucks I have planed to build! And heres all those Step-Side beds!!!! I'm happy to have them, but was only expecting one, the guy I asked him and he said ENJOY (I'm glad they got a good home) and that they did! Some interesting engine parts! The headers to the pulling truck is seen here as well as what looks like Mopar big block parts.... I'm just not sure where those heads and valve covers came from (what kit!?) as the heads are nicely detailed right side up, and the valve covers be GREAT for making the engine have a aftermarket look to it. -They's be great parts for that! Also seen here is a belt set-up for A/C (Boy, I can use that one! AND it came with the compressor for it too!) I was not expecting that little addition! NOR was I expecting the '78 Thunder Struck Pulling truck parts either! Miscellaneous little parts.... And some MORE Little Red Express "stacks" too! Pretty pleased with this trade, not a lot, but enough and what I got well if I wanted too, I could make yet a whole truck out of the parts seen here!!!!! Not gonna happen that way tho! But is a possibility!

Good call Jon! ---^ I'm still waiting for April 26th tho, myself....

Dave I never did ask you on this build, (as you know I've got something similar NOW planned) BUT, do you have any progress pics of where you cut the cabs to get this all "started"? This one is gonna "try" my body work skills I can see it coming And I haven't even started yet!

Charles, Thank you! Those "zip ties" aren't actually, thats a "hanger/mount" I make them with black wire (bead wire from Michaels Craft Stores) thats pre-blackened copper wire, I THINK its 28 gauge (I'll look to be sure) and I bend it with a sewing needle inserted into a pin vice backwards so that the eyelet is on the end to hold it and then put the wire through the eyelet as close to the end of the eyelet opening as possible to get the best "tightest" radius bend in the wire and then clip it off, making one end slightly longer then the other! (I probably ought to make a tutorial on how I do that!) But once they're made, I then drill holes into the frame floor where ever the mount is going ot be and then insert it, glue from the top side and let to dry, clipped off extra lengths on the "inside" of the frame (up top) and file smooth and then with a toothpick apply just a little more super glue to make sure the work "cleaning up" didn't remove all that was holding it originally. -Hope that makes sense! I'll be sure to post a link to the Tutorial when I do it! That way you'll be able to see just how I did it! I use the same technique for hanging exhaust pipes too! Just bent in a "U" with a different tool to make the radius bigger!

That have to be Lexan, normal plexi-glass or Acrylic sheet even at that thickness wouldn't last long enough even in a Briggs engine! What really surprises me is the plug location, it fire better if it was more centered over the piston!