AmericanMuscleFan

Thanks Jason! Take care, Francis Thanks Force (Håkan)! Maybe it's looks like that but it's not! I just have too much respect of Tim work to be in competition with him and he's more an inspiration than a competitor, I think we appreciate the same kind of detailling! Take care, Francis

Hello to everyone! As promised the next update is for the valve covers. I built several Mopar models in the past and some of them where done with a HEMI engine under the hood. I tried to make them different each time but the design was similar with mainly just different finish or paint color. This time, I wanted to make them very different so I tried to reproduce a more modern look, something looking like the ones on recent Pro Stock engines. They are raw aluminum for now but I will anodize them in red and the HEMI letters will be buffed to remain aluminum finish so another update will come later to show you the final result. As final detail, RB Motion aluminum bolts heads will be inserted in perimeter holes so they will stands out from the red finish. Hope you'll like them... Take care of you and your relatives, Francis Valve covers on the milling at early stage. Same raw part from different angle. Spark plug holes drilled using a 0.062’’ drill dit. Front faces details in progress. HEMI letters engraved using a 0.015’’ end mill (the letters are raised by 0.007’’). Holes for mounting bolts are drilled using a 0.016’’ drill bit. Shallow holes (0.020’’) for bolts heads are drilled using a 0.031’’ square end mill. Valve covers final (hole below the first spark plug is for the oil fill cap that will be done later). Valve covers final closer view. Valve covers test fit on heads/block.

Superb job on the detailing of the dashboard Joe! The details on the gauge faces was certainly challenging and you nailed it! Great!!!

Glad to be the first one to make comments on your latest update and I must say that this big block (very big...) is simply fantastic! What else can I expect from you but these ultra clean and accurate parts! Magic still continue sir... I love it! Take care, Francis

Great job Patrick! That's really my favorite kind of work... improving by scratch building what was supposed to be done correctly right at the beginning by the manufacturer! Well done sir!

Hello Mike, As my friend Claude said, this is some good food for the soul and a delight to see how you master the art of welding and fabrication of body parts from aluminum. The rounded shape close to the driver just is perfect! Can't wait to see your next update! Masterpiece in the making... Cheers, Francis

Great paint job on the hood Joe and the gloss finish looks gorgeous! This Maverick is coming together nicely my friend! Well done!

At my actual pace it would take me 85 lives to make all of these... Outstanding Pat!

Well, that's a mind bogging engine collection, all of each well built and documented! I can't figure out the amount of hours (days, months, years...) spent in this AMAZING collection... There's always someone to surprise us in this hobby! Thanks for sharing!

Yes! this is the right one and they are pretty cool looking... isn't it? I thought that JoHan made one but you may be right. Would be a good challenge st make that intake manifold from scratch...

WOW Pat! That's an extremely nice collection of engines that shows obvious and extensive researches on colors and technical data. Would be fun to see a Chrysler 413 Cross Ram added to your collection... Maybe you have one already and I missed it... There so many and diverse kind in this thread!?! As other said, fantastic job on the equipments and every parts of the diorama too!!! Cheers, Francis

Thanks again GoatGuy! Glad you liked them and find some inspiration for your build! I will make the valve covers next and I will try to make them different from the standard HEMI's looking by adding some extra details that I never attempted before... stay tuned for the next update! Take care, Francis

Besides tools, practice and perseverance are keywords Mark! Take care, Francis

You're welcome Daniel! Always happy if someone can find something usefull on my posts! Come back any time, Francis

Thanks Mike! It's always pleasant to push each of us to do better and keep this hobby alive! You're an incredible skillful builder and I will keep an eye on your dragster to add strings to my bow!!! Cheers, Francis

Well Tim, I'm most than honored to get compliments and support from a person that is in the main reason why I did jump in this forum! I am not pretentious for five cents and I learn from the work and good ideas of others like everyone else on this forum. There is always something to learn from others ... I do not say that to be complacent but you remain for me THE reference (without wanting to hurt anyone) and you push me to always do better! Thanks for being such an inspiration ... Thanks again, Francis

Thanks GoatGuy! I just saw you did it and I really appreciate your comments, inquiries and input! You are always welcome, Cheers, Francis

Thanks GoatGuy! Yes, the front grill slots were opened using the back of an Xacto blade (#7) that I thinned slightly both side to minimize contacts with the teeth. Long and tedious process but I do think that the front grill must always get some improvement to make it credible and looking like the real one. The headers were done with soft aluminum craft wire. The gauge is just the right size at 0.080'' and equal to 2 inch in real life so it's the right size for big block engine. I see you know the subject regarding graphic art (32 years of experience for me). I bought an ALPS MD-1300 printer several years ago but I never used it. I know it's capable to print at 1200 x 600 dpi so it should be good but not as good as a Postscript RIP with a high-end Imagesetter on analogue film. I will try to figure-out a decent solution for my future gauge faces... Thanks again for your input! Take care, Francis

Jim, you're absolutely right but I don't have any experience with mold making for resin parts. I would be forced to simplify some details (or omit them) to make parts removable from the mold because they are full of holes and undercut areas. Furthermore, I heard that ''some not too shy guys'' have made copies the hard work done by others and I would be angry if something like that happened to me... Thanks for the suggestion anyways, I consider this as a compliment! Cheers, Francis

Thanks for following JC! Always welcome! Cheers, Francis I'm glad for keeping you entertained again Scott! I do have so much ideas for this build that I'm afraid about the deadline to deliver that thing... I will try to reason with myself! Cheers, Francis

I do love this uncommon subject! Very nice build and perfect stance! Great Drag Racing beast!!!

I'm lovin it Mike! Great build so far and very cool subject! I do love those old school dragster! I'll be back for sure! Cheers, Francis

Hello everyone! Today's update is for the engine heads. I wanted to improve them from the ones made for '70 GTX with more accurate details in the philosophy to try to ''always improve things'' on the next build. Since it's a drag racing truck I wanted to soup-up the engine with high performance parts so I tried to reproduce the Edelbrock Gen II racing heads (perimeter only as well...). It's very difficult to reproduce every nooks and crannies but I tried to make them as convincing as possible without going crazy since most of the details will be hidden on the final engine. I spent more than 50 hours on these heads so I hope you'll like them... As usual don't hesitate to tell me what you think about these, your input is very appreciated! Be careful during these frightening days, Francis Picture of Edelbrock Gen II HEMI heads (target pic found on internet). Beginning of the heads machining. Both are machined face to face on the same aluminum piece in order to get them identical. The thin extra part that exceed is for the valve cover housing (Hemi valve covers are slightly longer than the engine block). Front heads details, a 0.093’’ aluminum rod will be inserted to create the extra material were the bolts (both ends) to mount the heads on the block are drilled. Aluminum rod inserted Different sizes of aluminum tubes added in the front to simulate the water plugs and attachment points. I also drilled the exhaust ports using a 0.080’’ drill bit. Headers screwing points drilled using a 0.016’’ drill bit. Note: HEMI heads have square ports but I didn't invest myself in that since they will be hidden behind the intake manifold and headers flanges. Closer view Head separated from the other one and the details elements in progress on the other end. Intake side on the vise to be machined at 10 degrees angle to match the block deck width. The Hemi heads are narrower at the engine block face and larger at the valve cover face. Hemi heads final. Hemi heads final exhaust and intake view. Test fit (will be mounted on block using 0.031’’ copper rivets). Test fit front view. Test fit front view different view. Test fit back view. Test fit side view.

Thanks Joe, your input and replies are always welcome! Cheers, Francis I always have a couple of old chairs behind me but they are pretty dirty and covered of dust from styrene, brass and aluminum... can't wait to add more dust with my airbrush... LOL. Take care, Francis

WOW!!! These spoked wheels are gorgeous! Very ingenious trick... Thanks so much for sharing the technique! Cheers, Francis