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swede70

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Everything posted by swede70

  1. Greetings, Slowly working up to some chassis revisions, work was undertaken to make way for the front sway bar installation. Not the usual solid bar configured in a more or less stock location in this instance, what was fit instead was a 2 inch tube situated atop the subframe back of the radiator and forward of the engine accessory drive as would be expected. Although formal mounts, sway bar 'arms' and links stand to come, each front wheel arch liner was cut out to afford clearance to the hardware outlined, guided as the work is by reference to period photos outlining such. Moving along, each bottom control arm/engine cross member/front sway bar combined casting was trimmed to remove evidence of the sway bar and mounts, while odd it is to note that ERTL basically doubled up the steering linkages on the base model I'm employing; i.e. in a sense this model is BOTH a front-steer and rear-steer configured design! Well - at least if I do away with the rear steer elements, the bottom of the engine bay opens up consistent with affording plenty of space for a tube header installation, hence I have that. Thanks for your review of this post. Just as it's delivered and viewed from below. I hope I can cast plugs that will afford some limited lower shock absorber mount detail to effectively seal off the screw access points visible here. Cleaning up residual plastic that makes up the front sway bar as it crosses the steering linkage hasn't been so fun given the softness of the plastic ERTL employed here. Hopefully I can do a better job of it, while a steering arm further needs to be fabricated given what one is witnessing here is a solitary idler arm. Just quickly tack glued into place, seen forward is the sway 'tube' atop the difficult to discern front subframe, while the cutouts of each front wheel arch liner can with difficultly be made out. Thanks for your review of this post. Mike K./Swede70
  2. Greetings and thanks for the recent kind notice... The last iteration of the decals was finally received, commissioned as the work was to 3 Amigos Decals. Much thanks to Sam Lopez for his great patience and noted expertise, whereas hoping the aqua tone chosen from a test sheet will translate into something that'll work smoothly enough. Seen situated atop the sheets delivered one will see a shaker scoop repainted in Testor's Model Master Nassau Blue Metallic/Custom Lacquer System/No. 28128 - a product and product line since discontinued but found here or there at area hobby shows, while to the right is a resin hood plug I hope to employ in some capacity as a pattern to cut material from the hood stripe to accommodate the shaker hole underneath. Not certain how I'll quite do this, nevertheless for experimentation I hope to find a way. On the '70 1/2 Firebird Trans Am model, the stripe was decal, the shaker finished in a slightly different hue bearing a mild metallic effect that is present here complete with a gloss overlay. In the main I'm happy... The ordering code hasn't been obscured here, hence if someone would be inclined to seek a copy or copies, I really haven't set a barrier up to prevent such. What's seen is 1:18th scale again, ERTL diecast-based. My resin pedal mold performed in two-part urethane is half done, while seat mount refinements and interior rear bulkhead surface detail work stands to come next. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  3. Greetings, Noticing that the diecast metal bodies weren't happily melding with my chassis mock ups for errors of judgement here and there, I had to trim the tops of each rear bulkhead, better support each package shelf, trim the floor panel inserts I'd created, and further trim the driveline hump overlay I'd worked up previously. After the aforementioned misery for sorting one chassis, I then repeated the labor twice over to bring everything into line. Better now, resting comfortably, setting the experience of momentary trauma behind me. Also noticed are new driveshaft assemblies - woo hoo! Thanks... Previous cage installation images apparently didn't include the rear bulkhead and package shelf in-place, although these do. Notice how the door top side bars of the roll cage vanish from sight when viewed from this perspective. A challenge it is and was to coax the package shelf to sit both level and straight. The seat mount seen across images stands to be redone given what is made out here seems clunky. A transmission cross member, lightly made from scratch will be next up, and with it each engine/trans. assembly will angle back a touch further than what is discerned here. Lightly revised valve covers are on view, revealing some hex rod plugs presumably screwed into the center of each stamping. Thanks for your review of this post. Mike K./Swede70
  4. Greetings, Although likely not correct for every race outing (speaking of the tie-down points), seen would be a trio of fuel cell housings fabricated from sheet plastic with craft store beads employed as tie-down points set atop small wafers of plastic formed from rod plastic. The inner structure for each housing is basically intended to take what adhesive I'll use and keep any evidence of a join out of sight, while basically things look sound enough. Also noticed will be the fill panel substituted in where the stamped steel standard fuel tank formerly resided. Some sanding and light putty fill work was required to rebuild one subframe wall across three chassis, but in the main things appear clean with all the seams and walls reproduced where one would expect them versus just introducing in a cut blob of resin. More chassis work in particular to come... ...seen from the top, with the rough aspects basically tucked out of sight. ...viewed from below, and pretty much a match. ...while here one can see through the hard plastic beads carefully set in place upon a mound of CA glue gel six times over. ...nicely integrated, and no lower than the rear subframe as intended. ...largely straight and evidencing little interference with other assemblies. ...and generally how things will look even as much work remains to be done underneath. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  5. ...just the same with a cast resin CDI voltage regulator and electrical control switchbox atop the aluminum center console structure. The chassis strengthening tubes seen crossing the floor laterally weren't great fun to create the first time, hence what is seen are resin copies so that each set will be consistently shaped, presenting no strict surprises when dropped into place. Things are fleshed out slowly and in stages, whereas for having three interiors and feeling the need to match them closely for fit, maybe my quality is coming up a bit. Fuel cell fabrication (at least the housing as viewed from below) is underway, although cutting and shaping the soft 1:18th chassis plastic is never much fun vs. what's possible in other scales with stiffer kit plastic. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  6. Thanks for the kind notice... Seen would be the first revised transmission hump/driveshaft tunnel overlay assembled (as in glued) and subsequently dropped into place. On the actual racers this would have been a sheet aluminum structure with a peculiar 'chimney' situated along the rear bulkhead as described before. Wider across the bottom of structure would be better, but then adjustments can be made beneath largely out of sight to tweak things. One to repair then (as seen), two more work up from fabricated bits. Thanks... For fine adjustments to the backmost interior floor panels (they dip a bit towards the front as-seen here), things should align. Thanks for your review of this project update. Mike K./Swede70
  7. Greetings, Having obtained a second 1:18th Lane '68 Firebird 400 H.O. engine (it seems a great many upgrade diecast models to run LS-power), seen would be the effort to duplicate work undertaken before to dress each as a SCCA Trans-Am 303. Both would run Ram Air IV heads, whereas the Laguna Seca engine really ought to be a short deck iteration with adapters to allow for the fitting of same basic intake. Continuing, the extended wet sump was scratch built before, as was the intake and the explosion proof bellhousing. The transmission are GMP Penske Camaro M22 Muncie four-speeds, the pulleys are derived from the same tool with different frontal contours done in resin, while the belt material hasn't yet been determined or decided. Pressing ahead, a transmission crossmember hasn't quite been worked up, although a few choices exist and soon the engines will rest somewhat lower across the back for swapping in something more suitable. I'd like to plumb up a coherent take on the Bendix 'Hydroboost' power brake assist system, although precious little room exists underhood to accommodate anything devised along such lines. The smooth stock vinyl radiator hoses will go, to be replaced with corrugated material likely reinforced with brass wire within to retain a proper shape. Also seen will be new roll cage structure given some bends were misjudged before, with special reference to the too-narrow take on the dimensions of what would exist between the A-pillars when viewed head-on. It's expected that some of this will have to come apart to be adjusted and tweaked consistent with ensuring a tight final fit. Additional bars stand to be added, although mostly these will just flesh out the structure(s) seen and won't present surprises. Approaching the end, across the interior will be made out a cloned console plug (all ERTL Firebird Trans Am models based on this tool come through with interior consoles), further refined exhaust dumps on the '70 Laguna Seca example, a rudimentary seat installation shared across models, as well as a differential oil cooler 'wedge' visible along the floor mounted fast along the rear bulkhead. Not glamorous in sum, but a lot of work undertaken and painstakingly duplicated to ensure all fits as it ought. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  8. Greetings... Trying if you will to identify a likely hue for review of eight colors selected and subsequently printed, seen here would be my efforts to first identify something likely under poor light conditions, cutting up the color chips and reordering the same consistent with selecting again under clear weather/daylight conditions, and finally arriving at much the same place for selecting the hue I'd first latched onto in the night. The topic again would be the center stripe decal work, influenced and impacted by the limitations of the current technology in relation to precise color reproduction. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  9. Greetings, Minor stuff, although seen below would be my AMT '64 Tempest '71 SCCA Trans-Am Gray Ghost effort w/framed windows intended to replicate how the topic appeared at Lime Rock, CT. Rain tires and pressed steel wheels would be called for... A hood, the dash, a very clean tail light cluster plus unblemished tail light lense inserts were taken from the aforementioned $20 AMT '64 Tempest convertible built up, while very recently a rear bumper was secured for just less than $15 via eBay. With expectations sharply trimmed back given I intend to keep this AMT-based build mostly AMT, perhaps this fairly simple project will be the first to receive paint. Thanks. Fairly sharp, now on the hunt for a grille divider/'beak', an MPC second generation Firebird Trans Am steering wheel, and pressed steel rims of an appropriate design. Looking trim though, while nothing special was done to arrive at a reasoned ride height given I've used the second of the existing metal axle holes to configure things as-seen. Mike K./Swede70
  10. Thanks for the kind interest and support... Here the abbreviated package shelves have been sanded smooth along the top, the floor mounted differential oil cooler housings reproduced, the floor sections for each rear passenger area cut to shape and hand fit to mesh well to the bulkheads previously fabricated. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  11. Thanks again for the kind words and interest displayed... Seen would be the rudiments of the driveline hump overlay reproduced three times - the same fabricated from sheet aluminum in-period. Also discerned would be the patch I hope to cast and copy consistent with plugging the interior floor where a cast-in front console formerly lived. Removed from my first build and cleaned up for light work, just resting inside a different interior it blends well enough to use forthwith. Thanks. Mike K./Swede70
  12. Just some underhood additions in the form of a new coolant overflow/surge tank situated along the firewall, a repositioned remote oil filter installation following the removal of the heater core 'bump' roughly situated in the same area (happily it was a separate part I could remove), and the coil again. Some fill panels and mounting lips were added to the top of the radiator, hence this area appears somewhat fuller too. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  13. Seen would be a revision of the interior driveline hump overlay; i.e. basically so many aluminum panels with a 'chimney' situated along the bulkhead formed at the rear. A bit frustrating given the transmission hump is wider than it needs to be further forward, while the interior floor is set higher than it might otherwise be given scale thickness of materials isn't something strictly on offer. A better start then, while strengthening ribs on the rear bulkhead, a twin fire extinguisher setup and roll cage refinements stand to come. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  14. Greetings... Now working on the reproduction of the sheet aluminum structure atop the interior driveline tunnel, refining past efforts and hoping to cleanly update matters for new insight obtained. The Facebook groups specific to the old SCCA Trans-Am Series are quite active, while the contributions of others better-placed and better-informed has helped me to a considerable degree. Doug Innes and Dave Tom in particular have been very kind and forthcoming, while their input adds a lot to my experience of the hobby. - One discovery of note consistent with coming up with a better color match for the over the top stripes was made, it being a sprawling seventeen-page message board thread where a fellow articulates his plans to reproduce 1:1 early second generation Firebird Trans Am stripes and all that such entails. It's really quite helpful; i.e. he speaks of the research he's done, affords evidence of his early print tests, dimensions are revealed, color samples are afforded, the pixelation issue with regards to the blue-to-black color fade and how the same topic might be handled from the design and production front is addressed; i.e. the lot. If you find yourself stuck in this regard, pining for better information in a second gen. Trans Am sense, do consider reviewing: http://forums.maxperformanceinc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666571 - Gleaned from the above, I tried to work up color samples that might be afforded a printer. The current state of the art cannot guarantee total fidelity to the tone or hue desired, but then technology evolves and capabilities arrive on the scene that redefine what can be afforded to people such as us. Reproduced below would be a rear stripe image, a color sample taken from such, and finally, a color chip image of 1970 Pontiac Lucerne Blue Iridescent which would constitute the finish applied to the shaker scoop on a Polar White '70 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am model. The color match between the stripes and shaker scoop was said not be the best in-period, while it's known that UV light exposure had the long term effect of fading the stripe color in a manner to suggest more of a greenish hue. - Lastly, another 1:18th diecast ACME/ex-Lane Pontiac 400 engine has been sourced, thus I should be able to work up two pretty fair engines versus being forced to 'go cheap' on one. Interior panel work and roll cage fabrication likewise continues. Hoping of course that quiet application across spheres will result in tangible quality gains. Kind thanks for your review of this project update. Mike K./Swede70
  15. This was the one I remembered, although it'll take me a bit to determine if there were others. It does look like Richard topside... Mike K./Swede70
  16. Looking very nice and thanks too for the historical perspective also relating to your involvement and exposure to the scene in-period. The model is really coming together, whereas I remember seeing in-shop photos within one of the digital archives depicting a Torino Cobra Petty Enterprises entry well along in the fabrication process. It seem the return to Plymouth and abandonment of the Ford deal happened late, even as Torino Cobra/GT print ads. would have us believe that the new for '70 bodies were 'shaped by the wind'! Neat topic, neat execution. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70
  17. Thanks for the kind and very detailed input Peteski. Indeed - for doing things in 1:18th, I find I'm pressured to do things in-house consistent with vertically integrating matters so that all aspects of fabrication can be controlled. At present I'm not well-versed in graphics software such as Adobe Illustrator, Corel Draw, InkWorks, etc., although making the investment in both time and personal skills development in addition to seeking hardware to achieve the results desired points the way forward. Your technical knowledge and openness with regards to the specific approach plus identification of the devices employed affords me much to think about, hence know that I appreciate the time taken here. Thanks again... Mike K./Swede70
  18. Kind thanks again... Urethane molds poured across the weekend yield parts to flesh out all that would be situated on the radiator support including a GMP '70 GTO Judge radiator, as well as a remote oil filter setup plus oil cooler. The '70 Mid-Ohio T/G Firebird was raided to afford masters to clone, hence just a straight duplication of matters here. Some less elegant aspects of the diecast metal shell happily vanish from sight for the creation of a sheet plastic radiator support, although some filing still needs to be done to square matters away. Other discreet radiator panel work has been performed, although it's not seen here. The coil is a Hwy. 61 '63 Pontiac Tempest item and seems to be the best thing going. Also spotted would be the beginnings of larger diameter exhaust dumps given the first attempt just appeared denatured and puny. A lot of filing and fitting will be required to ensure these tuck into the chassis and in particular, the rocker panels if they're to sit as they should. I can't compromise the strength of the metal rocker lest the body come apart, hence the plastic rod used for the dumps (less the outlets which I hope to do in brass) will be creatively filed to suggest things are more accurate than they are in fact. Plastic rod will be used to prevent wall collapse for the brass ends/outlets worked up, then I'll likely have to drop the same in gasoline or something that will effectively soften if not dissolve the plastic so that I might come away with mildly bent brass tube absent anything strictly inside prior to hand finishing the outlets. Thanks... Yep - one expects to see a svelte Corvette-issue Harrison aluminum radiator - or at least something aftermarket and lighter. Not in this instance, whereas a review of the color underhood photo captured at Lime Rock, CT seen further up this thread reveals use of what appears to be an almost-stock part. The outlet on the top of the radiator was scratch built, so too the domed outlet/inlet further right, while some plugging of holes on the cooling matrix was further required to come up with something that would be clean and readily reproducible. Thanks for checking in... Mike K./Swede70
  19. Looking nice, whereas it sits well too. Thanks for sharing... Mike K./Swede70
  20. Greetings... Seen would be yet another attempt at a four-point cage (with additions from here not all that difficult), reflecting that learned from four tries at the main hoop dimensions before things came into reasoned focus. Too wide, poorly judged bends, asymmetry, etc., scuppered previous efforts - although matters are better now. Although the dash isn't in, the plastic 'glass' insert is, as is the interior door trim. No collisions, no conflict then... Also witnessed is an attempt at the abbreviated side pipes for the recycling of some 1:18 ERTL 427 Cobra S/C material combined with heat bent plastic rod. Tubing benders on hand aren't strictly allowing me to employ brass or aluminum for the fairly sharp bends desired and required here, hence hunting for a better way forward. Happily two points on the chassis where screws secure the plastic chassis plate to the metal body shell can be half covered up and disguised as mounts for the exhaust pipes leading to the side pipes/exhaust dumps, thus things won't look quite as terrible beneath as I'd feared. A real drag on the works, in 1:18th scale parts are often scarce and/or expensive when they can be sourced, hence pressure exists to economize however and whenever possible. Quality parts and subassemblies can be had, but it takes the fortuitous discovery or the help of friends to secure this or that to push ahead at times given one can basically run up against a brick wall if nothing strictly exists to work with. Out of sight, some urethane is curing around both new and old parts to duplicate, and this fact should help me maintain modest momentum. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  21. Looking very crisp and controlled; i.e. very nice indeed. Thanks for the continuous flow of well-photographed and documented updates... Mike K./Swede70
  22. Just a short update this... Happy to turn up something unexpectedly via FB Marketplace, this an AMT '64 Tempest convertible assembled plastic kit which will yield a hood, as well as a tail light cluster plus tail light lenses for my early-season 1:25th scale '64/'71-season Gray Ghost evidencing the window framing before such was cut out entire. An earlier Scale Coachworks flared shell purchased long ago is up on wheels and is configured to reflect a later-season spec., hence I have two examples in 1:25th scale based upon the AMT annual tool. Unfortunately the stock bumpers were discarded from the model purchased for $20 back earlier today, but still - a step forward and a means to save money given period parts sourcing is typically tedious and expensive both. The hood is soaking in Scalecoat, while I hope it'll strip cleanly. Thanks... This would be the cleaned up (for molding flash) second Scale Coachworks Gray Ghost shell with enlarged wheel arch openings (reshaped a bit then) and what more or less box stock parts I've collected up to this point to flesh the build out. A rear bumper still needs to be sourced, but in the main it's good. Seen to the right is the very clean 'new' tail light cluster w/lenses, while to the left may be seen some period screw-bottom hardware. The hood is soaking, while less the other parts discerned in the first photo, here would be the rest of the kit. Happy to have the same. Mike K./Swede70
  23. Thanks for the kinds words and notice... A little raw, but this would be the first attempt at a new rollcage for working up a four-point design over an evening. A touch wide, the main hoop bends situated a bit low, the mid-level bars also set too low; i.e. the usual given I almost have to learn again what it is I'm doing before results begin to match expectations. It helps to have spares in relation to everything with special reference to possessing a bodies and interior castings consistent with reducing stress most certainly... Moving along, the cast-in interior console was cut out, while the locating tabs, pedal assemblies and carpeting texture were filed off the floor. Plugging the floor consistent with cleaning up the transmission/driveshaft tunnel calls out to be performed next. Tedious labor and largely invisible. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  24. The cut would be made inside the hood stripe, hence the curves on all four corners plus the front 'vee' would have to be taken into consideration. Dragging a metal ruler atop the art likely wouldn't do the stripes much good, thus the search for some other means to go about things. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
  25. Greetings, I'm wrapping up a custom decal order for a 1:18th diecast topic consisting of '70 1/2 Firebird Trans Am over-the-top stripes in addition to other graphics that were part of the livery run in the SCCA Trans-Am Series. In particular, I'll need to cut out material from inside the stripework on the hood to allow for the shaker hood scoop to clear things, and given it wasn't an option to order decal work commissioned in a pre-trimmed or outlined fashion anyhow, I was thinking what could be done to cut the material needed to be removed without stressing the decal art/paper more than was strictly necessary? Maybe too the fact that things are a bit larger in 1:18th makes such an approach sensible, while if the cut could be consistent across two builds, this too would be a plus... https://cookiecutter.com/make-your-own-cookie-cutters.htm Seen above is just a test fitting with color photocopies cut out and craft glued in-place... I suppose I could apply the decal art suggested above and trim such for use of a deft hand and light touch - but I just might not be that good. Anyhow, tossing the idea out there, inviting responses for better or for worse. Thanks... Mike K./Swede70
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