Dragline

No kidding! That's awesome. Although I do see those stupid 3 wheel abominations around in the summers here. This one is a far cry from those things. Raptors or T-Rex, or some such nonsense. I guess if you cannot keep 2 wheels up, these are the next best thing?

I was pondering this one. Now don't laugh... Do you suppose it's a performance- weight transfer thing they are going for here? Never mind...

US car making philosophy Vs European have distinct lines but one of the most obvious is oil. In general, Euro cars take more oil. Even a 4 cylinder will take as much or more than a US 6 cylinder. This is because it's a main source of engine cooling. Oil coolers are in a large portion of Euro cars for this very reason. An 8 cylinder Benz will often take 6 to 8 quarts of oil, where an American V8 can take as little as 4. That is only a gallon folks. And it makes an impact. Italian cars take thinner oil. Even V8s. Oil galley and main bearing holes are smaller than US ones. They usually get chamfers as well, while only US hot rodders perform that task. Admittedly, Italy tends to be warmer, but it's a small country, yet the US has similarly warm areas and these practices are not adopted by US manufacturers. Perhaps a small segment of the performance set does. But the big three? Nope. Just an example off the top of my head. If this was already cited I apologize. Edit: I was thinking about all this while having coffee and watching my cat talk to birds. I failed to mention Turbocharged engines. Since they take engine oil as part of their lubrication, oil change intervals and amounts also vary. Just wanted to cover my tracks as there are learned men about and didn't want to leave something out. Although I am certain I did.

As soon as you described the 40nFord I think we all conjured an image in our heads. And that graphic? It was made for that Storm Great stuff

Very day 2 indeed. These roamed the streets of my youth. OK, maybe not Hemi Cudas...

Cause they were chowing on expensive oil instead. I worked on a few Jettas and such back in the day. They seemed fine. After my brother trashed his 318i that I cobbled together and kept running while he went to his first 2 years of college, he bought a Jetta. He would proceed to destroy it in 2 years. He is a brilliant guy my brother. Fantastic career in the Army. Retired a Major. But one day in Baltimore he asked what the light for the oil looked like. I said Jeannie in a bottle. He said it was on. This was a a Isuzu Vehicross. I'm not much at all for Asian vehicles but it was pretty cool. I checked the stick, nothing..it was on a hill. OK. Put it level and nothing. Put a pan under it, unscrewed the oil drain and a drop. The man had no oil! None! The Slick 50 that a friend of his recommended may have indeed saved his engine. I went to my shop and got oil and a filter. I there a lesson here? Absolutely not. I don't work on his vehicles. Simple because I live in Mass and he still lives in DC. And that is a blessing.

You have got to be joshing me on that timing belt thing. I most assuredly would be in the nut house.

Why ask us? We are as disturbed as you.

It could be worse. But not by much I guess. As for the VW thing? The skin has to come off for a regulator swap? Good.lord it's getting diabolical out there. For.my part I am supremely happy I sold my German tools and went to work for NAPA. I seriously would have gone insane by now.

We need both an AA/FC and AA/FD. It's been how long since the Bud King fuel rail came out?

Working on Benz' like I did for as long as I did, the Germans seem to have the replacement thing pretty well sorted. But if you need something odd I have just the thing. On a 2.6 straight 6 the alternator is on a bracket down low passenger side front. The bracket is a sweeping arch from top to bottom with the long end on the bottom. It is smooth with the timing cover, so there is no bump. At the top it's even with the block, the arches out as it goes down. The alternator is bolted to it at the end. If the valve cover gasket leaks, it goes down the front of the block, rides the bracket and goes directly into the alternator. The fix? Well, beside an alternator and VC gasket, you are instructed to take a cutoff wheel and put a 30° cut 1mm deep into the cylinder head. High side towards the front, low side back to aim the oil towards the rear taking the oil with it. Not a terrible idea I guess. But it made me stop and 🤔.

It looks like another 6 or 8 bolts at least to retrieve. At least it's not in the wheelwell.

Perishable, or wear items absolutely have to be engineered with replacement ease in mind. If they are not, them there is "Malice aforethought" as so eloquently put forth above.

Looks great to me. I recall this kit from the 70s. Shep Paine's diorama and diorama tips were a big deal back then. The man was a master and paved the way for all who followed.

Funny, I watch this kind of content often. But this cabin filter is straight out of a nightmare. It is almost as if the engineers and dealerships are in collision to pork you. When contrasted to the Asian vehicle it makes you truly wonder. I have been a South Main Auto subscriber for about 9 years. I was an early sub er because the man has always said it like it is. And his "torquing to factory specs" always gives me a chuckle. While I am certain that when it's required for safety he absolutely does it. There are times when an overflow bottle or some such minor items gets "torqued to factory specs" is a direct poke at ( insert corporate moron here). As a former Benz mechanic I can appreciate his candor, and his humor is in line with my own. Not just that, the guy is a true master at what he does. There is NO gremlin that guy cannot find. And Mrs O is a gem as well.

Look on YouTube. Those are in a private collection. Huge monster collection of vintage slot cars and models. A truly historic collection. Some of this artwork is among it hanging all around the mans collection.

Thanks for the pics. I got closer than I thought. Not only that but at the time I was trying to dull down race car finishes. But this car, I thought I'd leave glossy. Now I see that glossy was correct. I don't always get em right, but those blues I used are really close. Once again, my thanks... I went on Scalemates and looked it up. 2014 was the reissue date. So it's only 11 years old. Time plays tricks.

Cooler than the other side of the pillow. And the patina is extremely well done. Bravo Sir!

Thanks brother Joe. You are too kind.

Nailed it! Great looking build bro.

Nice to see a semi "modern" car for a change. And what a beauty it is. I had to edit this when I realized I used the word Modern.

I posted this here eons ago. If you find it the pics don't load. So here is a refresh of this car. Built the week it came out. I couldn't wait to dive into this car. Duplicolor touch up paints for both blues. They are pretty darned close. Rattle cans as I didn't have an airbrush in those days. Scratch built pulleys and belt. Wires are all chaos! Used BMF to mask the seats. That was a first for me. It has to be 15 years. Took it off the shelf. Gave it a Dawn wash and set it on paper towels, and here it is. This is a great kit so if you see one, Grab It! I lied! I did have an airbrush. I used Tamiya clear blue for the wheel arch brows and door handle. This was the First time I ever used an airbrush. Did I pick a difficult task as my first or what?

Wouldn't it be easier to show what it doesn't have? Dayummm.

Scary good... First.pic could easily pass for 1:1

You went with Smokey. Good call and great slammer. Very convincing.