AmericanMuscleFan

Hello everyone! I'm still working on the final details of the body and frame, but I need to determine the exact final position of the engine/transmission combo in order to fabricate the clutch/pivot system. I did a lot of research online and found that most of the time the supports are custom made or a modification of the OEM supports using hooks and hardware that came with the Lenco (maybe a subject matter expert could confirm this). Then I will try to craft all the clutch system in order to show you a more complete mock up that includes the temporary engine/transmission combo in place, I also need to have these components made before I can put the primer on the body and frame. Stay tuned for more progress next week I hope... Comments and suggestions are welcome! Take care, Francis Lenco transmission support at an early stage of machining in the milling chuck. After I have machined the channels both side, I drilled holes to match those on the frame sections. I drilled a series of holes in order to have the possibility of adjustments. Final part. Test fit on the Lenco transmission. Test fit on the frame. Red anodized, it will give a nice contrast on the drive train.

Thanks for the comments John, I'm just driven by passion for this hobby (and the subject of course...) and this forum is just a perfect place to share and learn, an endless source of motivation! Francis

Thanks Scott, It would be interesting to keep it bare so you can see it with all its scars and welds at the end but I also think a nice shiny paint will be welcome. I just ordered the paint last night and I hope to be able to take this step in the next few weeks. I hope you will also take this step soon with your superb Hot Rod Peterbilt my friend! Francis

Thanks for your kind words Brian, I'm not out of the woods yet, I still have some intricate details to make but with patience I will eventually reach the finish line, but maybe not without after-effects... I am so happy to see a family member being built in the Big Rig category and I am sure you will bring out the full potential of this resin kit, you always do! ? Francis

You just put a big smile on my face Brian... don't know why...? ?

Thanks Claude, I'm probably going to have to make some minor adjustments on these as I realized that the clutch system (the swivel shaft) will be too close to the floor. I will have to do another surgery on the floor and adjust the aprons afterwards. It's endless but I hope you will forgive me! I'm almost (yes almost...) done with the body components so I'm closer than ever to shot some primer on that thing but you know with me and this project, there's nothing definitive and I always find something that I need to make before moving on to the final phase... By the way, sorry Mike, I missed your request for the radiator, but basically I used a brass "U" channel for the sides and 2 layers of stainless steel wire mesh (Model Car Garage) that I sandwiched between the 2 exterior panels of photo etch (Detail Master). I hope that will answer your questions but don't hesitate if you need something else! Francis

This is what I call a "training phenomenon", when you got good results or a higher level of detail you don't want to go back so the next build will take even longer than the previous one. Fortunately, the experience gained will be an asset for the next project... I guess... ? Francis

Great progress on the engine Mike, the different chrome and steel color shades are very convincing. The plumbing of the fuel lines is top notch!

Welcome to the forum Bobby! Most of us are back to the hobby after a long hiatus and you will see that's a lot of great tools are available today but some of the good old tools are still useful. The base remains the same but new technologies like 3D printers open new doors for those who want to venture into more rare or ultra detailed subjects. Have fun!!!

Welcome to the forum Gabriel! Model cars are like a disease and I would be curious how many kits are collected by all enthusiasts all over the world? It's impressive to see the price that some of these old kits have achieved over the years, a good investment despite not being the goal, at least for me! Go at your own pace, it's not a race, the goal is to have a good time and relax, everyday life takes care of bringing us back to earth!!! ?

Welcome to the forum Michael! 63 years old doesn't seem very old to me considering that most model makers are older than you and amaze us with great quality stuff all over the forum. I think styrene and resin keep us young... at heart at least...!

Welcome to the forum Paul! Like you, I'm a drag and muscle cars lover from the sixties and seventies and it's impossible for me to make a kit without modifying it so I can't wait to see your next projects!

Nice project Shawn! I went the same way as you with a fully scratch built frame on my '64 D100 and I see that you are on the right track, the stance is superb. Mine is not that close to the ground because it is a Pro Street type truck but I would probably have tried to lower it very close to the ground if I had wanted to make it a "new trend" truck like yours. Keep doing the good work! ?

Thanks Ian, I really try to do my best in all aspects of the build knowing that an excellent and shiny paint job is a must on a project brought to completion. They say that a good wine takes time to mature but I hope not to abuse too much the great patience that everyone who follows my project from the beginning... and I hope to be able to deliver a product that will meet your expectations because mine is quite high I would say! I have little room for maneuver because there are jewels on this forum but it is very motivating and inspiring!!! ? Francis

Another fantastic build Brian, you have again proved your skills to catch the look a the real thing! Yet another of your builds that I would put in my display cabinet without hesitation but you certainly have enough space in yours I'm sure... ?

Thanks Marcos, I wanted to build a pickup for so long thinking I would be easier and faster than a car but I have been wrong so far... but it is true that I never have pushed the details that far and it doesn't help! Francis

Thanks Mike, as you all too well know it's all a work of time and patience, the ridiculous number of hours spent on this thing so far is certainly something that would be hard for me to deny... The headers fit the engine perfectly but I still have the Lenco transmission mount to do before I can show you a good simulation of the components in place, so far, all my testing has been done with pieces of masking tape to hold the components in place, so I don't think that would have been very nice to show you! I also have the whole clutch lever system to do and I need all the body components completed to get the final position and remaining space before I can make it. I would never have thought that it would take so long to build a scale model from scratch and I can see the magnitude of it with each work session, I can confirm it to you...! Francis

Mutual respect Daniel, you are exactly what this forum should be and serve and I found a lot of satisfaction and answers to my questions by knocking on your door my friend! Francis

Thanks for the compliment Tim, but I must confess that I'm more in my comfort zone on body parts fabrication using styrene than brass or aluminum and these inner fenders extensions are a good example. Not to mention that it's easier to make changes or adjustments along the way, but your great dexterity in working with brass is starting to make its way into my working habits... Francis

You can be proud, your details are simply awesome, the shifter looks like the real one! I love these kind of details so much! You heading in the right direction my friend!!! ?

Great work Marcos, the bird cage frame is awesome and seem to fit perfectly with the body shell. I love your Optima battery, I made one for my '70 Plymouth GTX using pretty much the same technique and you nailed it my friend! ?

It's very high quality work Charlie! The details on the engine, driveshaft yokes and universal joints are just fantastic, your good job is paying off my friend! ?

Hello everyone, I have spent the last few days working on other parts of the body. Today's update is certainly less impressive than the last if I can put it that way, but still important components to complete the engine bay. Using several pieces of styrene, I made the inner fenders extension, sections that fills the gap between the inner fenders and the frame. I started with an "L" shaped strip of styrene for the top part and successively added small pieces cut at different angles following the shape of the frame. I then finished the two sides because they will be visible in the engine bay and also from below. They will be permanently glued and fused with the upper part of the inner fenders. I still have a few small adjustments to make but you will have a good idea of what the engine bay will look like. There is still time to get back to work (tomorrow morning), so I hope to make further progress next weekend and bring you other pieces of the puzzle... ? Take care, Francis Several small pieces of styrene (0.020") glued together before the sanding job to fit with the frame. Exterior side view. Test fit driver side. Test fit passenger side. Both sides are complete but still some minor adjustments to be made before final assembly.

Hi Tim, and thanks for the kind words, but I'm a little taller than three inches but a little under 6 feet, that gives you an idea of how tall I am...LOL. As for the material used for the hinges, I was forced to take a little thicker than desired in order to have sufficient rigidity so that it does not deform when unfolding (or retracting). I used 0.010" thick brass instead of the thinnest one I have (0.005") which would have been more to scale but way too fragile for functional parts. Everything was done by hand, I traced the shapes onto the brass, cut and filed by hand, making the two similar pieces together to make sure they were as identical as possible. I drilled the holes first on the milling and used aluminum pins to keep the parts together during the fabrication. I don't have a CNC and don't intend to invest in this kind of upgrade, I think good hands (and fertile imagination) will always be needed to overcome this kind of situation, it's actually tinkering and the good old methods will always be the basis of this hobby... I hope! Please feel free to send me a PM if you need more information, I am always happy to help when I can... Francis

Thanks Joe, I have no choice but to continue, I wouldn't want to end up with a bunch of machined parts and an unfinished body, that would be rather disappointing considering the time invested so far! Hope to see you back on your new Maverick project my friend!