gasser59

That's great Tim. I'm along for the ride no matter what you were going to choose.

OK Tim...its been a couple of days, have you made a decision on what stand you're going to display your engine?

I've been spending my bench time on finishing up the interior tins and I wanted to share with you my progress. I needed to add another piece on the floor to cover the overlapping flap where the floor met the firewall. I've got the passenger side done and had to have the side panel come up and cover the gap along the bottom. I've also been working on the seat by making a couple of slots for the seat belts, which are just sitting there for now. I stole these from the original interior tub I had. The buckles are also printing plate. I also make a seat base out of the lighter gauge printing plate and punched holes in them. The drive shaft tunnel isn't glued in until I get the other side of the floor done. Here's a couple of pics.

Hi Dave - I get my printing plate from a couple of different shops. Each shop has different size presses so the plates differ in thickness. I can provide you some of each so you can get to work. Let me know when we can hook up.

Dittos X 100. Love to see you do an altered. Most everything is out in the open to view and ponder over.

Moonman - those look great and I agree on doubling up on the decals along the bottom. Do you have enough to do that? As for the number of pictures, post away. The number of views this thread has gotten says it all. People want to learn.

Started work on the bomber seat and it still needs a bunch of work. This was my second attempt, the first got all out of proportion. Comments welcome.

Thanks so much Al. I have another dio in my head just waiting for me to finish off a few other builds that will be similar to this because I really enjoyed this fabricating this one.

It would seem you haven't lost or suffered any decrease in your skills during your hiatus. My word that is outstanding and your a brave man for opening up the doors. I applause you sir. Dialed in and back in the front row.

Now you've gone and completely blown my mind Tim. That is hard to even fathom the depth of your skill set. Carry on.

A bit more work done the last couple of nights. The hump is just sitting there for the moment and will get glued in once a couple of straps with rivets are made to go over the top. The underside of the floor needs to be cut to fit this driveshaft tunnel and I plan on doing that before I glue it.

Thanks for the link Greg. As my thread title says...Late '60s...fits the NHRA rule book for the time period.

Making the entire interior out of aluminum sheet is an experiment that I've wanted to try for some time. This build called for it since the kit one wouldn't fit. I think I cut this one too short so it may be a prototype. We'll see after another bench session or so.

Tim, Tim, Tim...every descriptive adjective under the sun has already been used to describe this fine piece of manual engineering. If this had been programmed into a CNC, I'd still be very impressed but this was done by hand. Instead of CNC, I think this should be referred to as TNC (Tim Numeric Control). Outstanding!! What are your plans for polishing? Do you have a secret compound or might you be looking for suggestions? I have a number of compounds in various grades of abrasion that I use on my vintage Airstream that will polish it out to a mirror shine.

Thanks guys. No room in there Greg unless I tear off the gas tank and the aluminum panel that's riveted on. Tim - its the same stuff that we spoke about but a bit thicker. Its 0.012" which makes it a bit stiffer and perfect for this application. Trying to get more done tonight.

Great googly moogly that is so sick. I'd wear that around my neck to any function.

Well, dang. I may have to reconsider the radiator thing. Its really tight up in front of the engine and its as far back as it can go. I have some bench time yesterday and began work on the interior tins since the original kit interior tub wasn't going to work with the engine setback. Using a heavier gauge of printing plate than I normally use. Since the walls are considerably thinner than the kit's original plastic ones, this will allow me more room on the interior and I can move the firewall back some. I'm also thinking of making an aviator seat out of aluminum as well, unless NHRA rules wouldn't allow that. Here's a few pictures of where I'm at. The first one shows the firewall. This is the best I could get of the interior. One side still to rivet together. Hopefully more bench time tonight.

Wow and WOW!!! Those look really sharp and although they fought you part of he way, you persevered. Which ones do you wish were bigger? We can make that happen.

Currently redoing the interior tub in aluminum since the original was won't allow for the bigger hemi. I hope to have some pictures later tonight once I get more done.

Thanks fellas and Ellen.

Its great to be back at the bench. I hope to get some concentrated time in this weekend.

Yes Steve, that is the excellent Ed Fluck cab, one of his last ones available. I used the chassis from the AMT pickup kit as well as the bed, as you noted. I'm having an issue with the interior tub fitting with the slight engine set back. Think I'm going to need to make one out of aluminum sheet. Post some pics Steve unless you have a thread started. if that's the case, please supply a link.

I found and used a very similar yellow called Tamiya Camel Yellow. It would make a really good match. I used it on my Slingster. Here's a sunlight pic.

Thanks Steve. In reviewing the photos, I've come to realize there just isn't much room between the engine compartment and the interior tub for a firewall. I'll probably need to fabricate one from printing plate. Maybe even try some bead rolling on it. I hope I don't need to cut off the front part of the interior tub.

Thanks for the write up Jonathan. Much appreciated. Thanks to you as well Cliff. So glad you enjoy it. I keep thinking of things to add to this so it may not be done after all.