Starsky & Hutch Torino - Interior finished 10/14

[spencer1984]

I took a look at this kit over the weekend, and started work on it this evening.  So far I'm very impressed with the thought that went into it: no, the engine isn't 2,000 parts, but the fit is excellent, the detailing is very well done, and the way they assemble is quite clever in hiding assembly joints and the necessary evils of injection molding. The fine detailing on things like the bolt heads and fuel pump are especially neat, though my award for the Best Idea So Far (Engine Division) is the distributor.  Revell actually has tiny dimples cast into the top of the towers, so if you want to drill it out the drill bit self centers on the tower and eliminates the risk of wandering through the side.  Very, very cool.

Unfortunately, there is one downside...but it's with the instructions, not the parts. They tell you to install the intake manifold backwards, with the distributor at the rear. Not only is it wrong, it's impossible: the manifold and block are keyed so that they only fit together one way.  Oopsie.

I have the engine parts gluing together now, and will have it in paint tomorrow.

Edited October 15, 2015 by spencer1984

[James2]

I'm interested, please keep updating. 

[Sledsel]

That is cool on the distributor, but I'd have to cut it off and install a base and shaft since it is in the front.

Obviously a Chevy monkey that did not know better did the instructions.

Edited September 29, 2015 by Sledsel

[Custom Mike]

Bill, is the first picture of the intake prior to drilling the distributor out? If so, a big pat on the back to Revell, I'd love to see that done on all kits in the future!

[Dave Van]

You make that intake look good!!!!

[spencer1984]

These pics are mid-process: in the first pic the coil tower and the tower at about 5:00 are as they came in the kit, the rest of the towers were drilled out before I took the photo.  In the second pic I drilled far enough that the cap held the drill while I shot it, very quick & easy to do with the way Revell set it up.

Yeah, not sure how they managed to muck up the orientation like that...the instructions are wrong throughout, too, so when it's time to install the upper radiator hose they just show it kind of sitting in a flat spot, rather than plugged into the socket like it's supposed to be.  The box art got it right, at least.

[Sledsel]

Bill, have you assembled the block yet? If so, can we get a 3/4 front view? I see something interesting in the instructions.

[Darbo]

Great idea with the distributor, makes life a lot easier with my tired eyes!

[spencer1984]

Right now its surrounded by clothespins until the glue sets, but I can shoot a 3/4 view tomorrow morning.

[Sledsel]

That's cool..... Thanks

[slusher]

Looking forward to more. Been wanting this kit..

[spencer1984]

Bill, have you assembled the block yet? If so, can we get a 3/4 front view? I see something interesting in the instructions.

I tried for an angle as close to what was shown as possible - if you'd like to see a different view, just let me know!

[geemoney]

That is cool on the distributor, but I'd have to cut it off and install a base and shaft since it is in the front.

Obviously a Chevy monkey that did not know better did the instructions.

chevy monkey!

lol

[rsxse240]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the intake manifold is too long for the heads.  The "bolt heads" holding the ends of the manifold are dangling out in the atmosphere.  

 

This pic is of a single 4 barrel, but it is still a 302 and the manifold clearly fits within the length of the head.

http://www.proformanceunlimited.com/specs/crate_engines/302_300_L.png

 

It looks like the manifold is 1/24 on a 1/25 engine, to be honest.  The manifold seems to sit too high on the head as well.  I wonder if that is just from another kit that they adapted to fit.  I would have expected them to give us a separate distributor, if indeed, this is an all new kit.  I think utilizing the 302 from the Revell 32 Ford 3-window would be a good move for accuracy.

 

Don't confuse me with a rivet-counter, but I am a perfectionist and a mechanic, so I've seen my share of 302s.    Other than the intake fitment, I'd say it looks pretty good so far!  I can't wait to see the bodywork and even the box top!  lol  

 

 

[Merkur XR4Ti]

Thanks for the pics, looks good so far. I assume the engine is supposed to be painted Ford blue?

[Sledsel]

I tried for an angle as close to what was shown as possible - if you'd like to see a different view, just let me know!

Nope, that is fine. Well, I find the block very interesting. It looks more like a Cleveland block, but the heads and intake are definitely Windsor. 

Below is are Cleveland (blue) and a Windsor blocks. Any other opinion on this?

I see the issue with the intake Ken mentioned. Assembled you probably will not catch it. I am going to try fit the intake on a Revell Nascar 351 when I get the Torino.

THANKS

Edited September 29, 2015 by Sledsel

[spencer1984]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the intake manifold is too long for the heads.  The "bolt heads" holding the ends of the manifold are dangling out in the atmosphere. 

 

Good call, the intake is definitely a little long.  I have a feeling that once the carburetors, air cleaner, valve covers, and wiring is added the extra length should be somewhat hidden.  At least it fits the valley perfectly, so it looks like width is correct.  Height doesn't seem so bad in person.

I got some paint on the engine tonight - meant to mask off the distributor first but my enthusiasm to see it in color got the better of me.

 

I also started work on the chassis. Revell stuck their usual copyright in the space over the rear axle, so that had to be sanded off.  The rear axle fits together nicely, and is drying right now - once the glue is set I'll sand off the seam and paint everything satin black.

No real surprise, the front end has a fair number of parting lines that have to be cleaned off. The tie rod, stabilizer bar, etc. struck me as being a little squarish, but comparing it to other Fords (AMT's '67 Mustang on the left, Revell's Pro Modeler '70 Torino on the right) makes everything look much finer and sharper.  I'll probably hit the corners of the bars to round them off when I'm cleaning up the parting lines, but otherwise will use this part unmodified.

Nope, that is fine. Well, I find the block very interesting. It looks more like a Cleveland block, but the heads and intake are definitely Windsor.

I think you may be right - the blocky, angled front of the block looks more like the Ceveland motor.

Edited September 30, 2015 by spencer1984

[Dave Van]

I run a blue dist cap on my 66 Mustang 289W....so that's fine!!

Two notes......the intake does hang past the heads on a W.....maybe not as much as the kit...but very close. I have a ton of these 1/1 engines.

The front cover is generic enough that it can pass as either really.....but I get a W feel from photos.

Edited September 30, 2015 by Dave Van

[Sledsel]

Even from the top view with the pump installed it looks to be a Cleveland style block. That's okay, I'll just add Cleveland heads and modify the intake where the water outlet is.

[slusher]

Bill did you use Ford blue on the engine??

[spencer1984]

Not this time - my Ford Blue is the darker shade used on earlier engines, so I did this in Tamiya Brilliant Blue over gray primer

[slusher]

Not this time - my Ford Blue is the darker shade used on earlier engines, so I did this in Tamiya Brilliant Blue over gray primer

I like it. Real good choice..

[Danno]

Off to a good start, Bill.

[gearhedjon]

Is this being built as a accurate representation? A dual carb intake was never offered from Ford in 1976!

[Dave Van]

Is this being built as a accurate representation? A dual carb intake was never offered from Ford in 1976!

I understand it was on the car Revell used to measure.......so not a 100% factory stock model....but super EZ to fix if you want.