charlie8575

Looking very good. Next shot of bourbon can be to celebrate your completed build and move. Charlie Larkin

I put small parts in a small parts container (a screw-top Zip-Loc round container that's about 1-1/2 cups,) spray in some Easy-Off, and when stripped, fill it with water. I drain them into a stainless-steel mesh colander, and rinse in that. Works very nicely. Shot glasses are for the other kind of alcohol.:) Charlie Larkin

More commonly, the Wide-Block 318. The poly-head is a pretty big engine physically. We need a good poly-head. With mainstreamers being as popular as they are, I'm really surprised nobody's stepped up and did one. Charlie Larkin

Actually, there were three displacements of small-block-based Chevy V6. 1978-79: 200 cubic inch (VIN M,) used in Malibus and I think Monzas. "Gutless wonder" is being polite. I think they were 98 HP. 1980-84: 229 cubic inch (VIN K,) used in RWD A/G, B and 1980-81 F bodies, and some C/K-series trucks. These used 305 internals. 1985-2013: 262 cubic inch that everyone knows and loves. I think one variant was carbureted, the others were all EFI of one type or another. These used 350 internals. The 2014-up engine is based on the LS-series engine. There is one other source for a Buick V6 that's a nice engine: the Jeepseter Commando. You'd have to cobble up the smog equipment, but 90% of what you need is there. I do agree it's time for a new malaise-era Buick V6. As much as nobody really wants to admit it, it's a very significant milestone in American automotive history. Charlie Larkin

Less chrome than I thought. I usually have to go digging, clear bag or not, to see what's there. Yep, got both my mirrors, too. I say again...someone at Revell's packing and QA checkpoints is asleep on the job. Charlie Larkin

My browser just got hijacked, with some fake warning accusing me of all kinds of unsavory (and very illegal) things from "The FBI," and then offered to sell me protection. These crooks are sinking lower and lower everyday. Charlie Larkin

If these things can't be gotten rid of, it's a reasonable option... If they'll do it for a Congregationalist, I'm game at this point. Charlie Larkin

Haven't opened the chrome. I'll check mine later. Charlie Larkin

Chianti Red with a red interior... Charlie Larkin

Re: Kit body issues. I took a look at mine- closely. All my corners lined up, the roof isn't smushed, and I don't have any visible short-shot. The QA lapses are disturbing. Charlie Larkin

The '78 El Cam is 1/24, but it might work. The Turbo T/A V6 would require a new intake and such. While I suppose it is conceivable a 229 Chevy might have ended up in a few Cutlasses (production scheduling or something similar,) the Chevy V6 would be completely wrong, at least for U.S.-spec cars. I don't know if the Canadian cars had 229s or 231s. Charlie Larkin

I haven't built it yet, but I do have the AMT 2011. It's a simplified glue kit, but very comprehensive. From one or two I've seen together, they look great done. The seats are soft vinyl- don't use regular cement on them; I'd go with Testors clear parts cement. It still has some solvent, but a lot less, and won't damage the soft plastic. Charlie Larkin

Tell me about it....this house is a horror show. Even when I was a kid, it was starting to be the butt of jokes with my friends. At our 20th high school reunion a couple of years ago: One of my friends: "Your dad ever get the house done?" Me: "Ha!" Friend: "That good?" Me: "There's nothing wrong with it that six or eight swipes with a backhoe won't fix now." I'm not even so sure it's the varmints; but to have lights stop working without reason, and after replacing switches and fixtures, leads me to believe there's wire damage. As long as we can keep it together for probably another 2-3 years, then we're selling, and probably selling a new house in place of this one so we can actually make some money on it. Charlie Larkin

Glad to help out. The whole name of the game is keep the shops open. Oh- if you need something and can't make the drive up, STS will mail it to you. Charlie Larkin

Nope. The Larkin family sold the business to the Parkers sometime around 1920, but they kept the name. My family is from Gloucester/Beverley. With that said, they might be cousins. My great aunt know a part of one of the branches of the family moved "west" as she put it, but to people on Cape Ann, anything beyond Ipswich is west. I was very sad to see Larkin Lumber close a few years ago- nice people, great lumber, far better than the boxes for not all that much more money. I used to frequent Henry's for train stuff; that was a great store; Turn 4 is making a real effort, and I give them a lot of credit for that. I'll keep an eye open for you there. Charlie Larkin

I like the man already. I can see where Harry got his general temperament from. Sounds like a good book- most of McCullough's are. Charlie Larkin

Would it be Spare Time if you didn't have to walk sideways? I heard about Turn 4's move. I'll have to stop in next week to see the new shop. Where are you from, Tom? Charlie Larkin

Jeff, Check out Harry's Hobbies in Norton- I know it's not next door from Cohasset, but they're very pro-car modeler and nice people. MassCar members also receive of a discount that get prices close to online. There's also Spare Time Shop here in Marlborough (my primary shop.) One of the best selections in New England. They also give MassCar members a discount. Charlie Larkin

As my lack of sleep will attest. I'll tell ya, I'm half-tempted to drive to Mid-Atlantic NNL Friday so I can get a decent night's sleep! Charlie Larkin

Interesting, I was told by a very knowlegable guy at the junkyard that TH350s wouldn't work with the V6 because the V6 didn't generate enough vacuum to shift them, so they came up with the 200. The 2004R does seem to be a better transmission, although they seem to have had their share of troubles, especially in the full-size cars- probably too much weight for a lightish-duty transmission. Charlie Larkin

I believe they're squirrels, might be a bird or two or a chipmunk. We know where they're getting in, but we need to get them out first. I've thought of recording my friend's cat and leaving on loop up there, thinking that might scare them, but I'm not sure. All I know is I'm getting sick of listening to them all night long. Charlie Larkin

Critters in the attic, making a mess, and chewing through stuff like wires, which is why half the lights in the kitchen don't work. And we CANNOT get the stupid things out. Anyone got any ideas? Charlie Larkin

Nice job, Ray. Charlie Larkin

That looks great. Do you have a link for the diorama? Charlie Larkin

A most credible job. Charlie Larkin