*WIP* Revell 1969 Nova

[Len Carsner]

As promised, Bill Coulter and I are going to give you a step-by-step buildup and evaluation of the New Revell Nova Kit. Tonight we have the engine. Watch for the next installment later in the week.

Len C.

1-I'm following the Revell 1969 Nova instruction sheet to the letter. I carefully removed engine parts for the 300hp/350 V-8 from their trees, cleaned them up with an emory board (aka finger nail file) and taped the individual parts with curls of masking tape to a piece of card board. Once the engine block halves were assembled with super glue it was also attached to the cardboard for priming and paint.

2-It's your choice as to what primer you use. Spray the parts as shown here and when dry, turn them over for priming on the other side.

3-I've found a couple of light coats of primer helps a lot when applying color to these small engine accessory parts as well as larger assemblies like the engine block/transmission.

4-Once the primer is thoroughly dry, mask off the engine from the transmission in preparation for applying a generous coating of Testors Aluminum Plate Metalizer. This is a great time to include some other parts that might benefit from getting the same treatment like these engine valve covers.

5-Here the masking tape has been removed to reveal a very satisfying aluminum finish on these parts. Also note the upper and lower radiator hoses in the background that have been painted with black primer. They were part of another grouping of parts that all needed to be painted black. Attaching them in like manor to a piece of card stock makes this task a snap.

6-Once the engine has been assembled and properly painted, the crowning touch is the hp/displacement label shown here applied to the front of the air cleaner top surface.

7-This shot of the competed Nova engine you can clearly see the extensive detail in the new kit. Testors paints were used throughout like Chevrolet Engine Red, Aluminum, Semi-gloss Black, Steel, Gold, and Aluminum Metalizer on the valve covers and transmission. It's a pretty slick idea to use the mounting post on the air cleaner to run though the carb and into the top of the block to securely hold that assembly together. I've pre-drilled things like plug holes, distributor and coil so I can come back at a later date and apply more details.

Stay Tuned - More to Come!

Edited April 29, 2008 by Len Carsner

[crispy]

Yay! You did it Len!

Looking good! I'm going to bet Revell has another big hit on their hands. I look forward to picking this kit up!

I look forward to more step by step posts from you.

Chris

[Len Carsner]

Yay! You did it Len!

Looking good! I'm going to bet Revell has another big hit on their hands. I look forward to picking this kit up!

I look forward to more step by step posts from you.

Chris

Thanks for the compliment. I'm sure Revell has a winner with this kit, seems to be getting a lot of interest and comments.

So far they're reaction to the posters comments have been positive. They are watching us and listening!

[Luc Janssens]

So far they're reaction to the posters comments have been positive. They are watching us and listening!

Looking at the latest releases of Revell, they really are going after the enthusiast car modelers, and I too hope that they will sell plenty of them.

Cuz there are still plenty of neat subjects out there.

Thank you for the review and online build and thank you Revell for making this possible.

Luc

[gasman]

looks great, i'm happy Revell decided to put a small block in this kit instead of the big block, but i'm sure future versions will have the big block

[george 53]

Yes! now that the picture part is done right,We can see just what a great kit this'll be! Thanks for gettin it all worked out Len, you've done us all a great service! Can't wait to get my hands on a coupla them, a Nova (69) was my 1st REAL car!

[Dave McFly]

i am glad this model is turning out great but was there a reason to delete my post that had the pics in it? i was helping out by making them appear in my post and offering to help the poster so he wont have problems in the future. they could have just removed the pic links but not the whole post, just curious thats all.

[Len Carsner]

i am glad this model is turning out great but was there a reason to delete my post that had the pics in it? i was helping out by making them appear in my post and offering to help the poster so he wont have problems in the future. they could have just removed the pic links but not the whole post, just curious thats all.

Sorry, no offense meant. I re-posted with the corrected image links and thought it might be best to eliminate the first post to avoid confusion.

Also, I'm still not quite familiar with the way this board works as opposed to others where I usually post, so I'm still a little confused myself.

Bear with me, I'm still learming!

I do appreciate the help you gave me by correcting my post. Thank you!

Len Carsner

[crispy]

Len, some of those other boards you visit still used the antiquated html coding. The newer bulletin boards have their own coding, naturally called BB code. BB code is, to me, a little simpler to use. All the same, I think you'll do just fine as is evidenced by this post.

On another note, as far as Revell is concerned. I mainly build Exotic/Japanese cars, however Revell got me to buy their 49 Merc kit! Totally out of my realm, but I bit. I've done a smattering of muscle cars and the Nova is a no brainer for me. I know I'll be buying a few. IF Revell can do that to someone who builds totally different cars, then they hit something. I can't imagine if Revell were to jump of the deep end and produce a McLaren F1 road car, I'd probably faint......

Chris

[Dave McFly]

Sorry, no offense meant. I re-posted with the corrected image links and thought it might be best to eliminate the first post to avoid confusion.

Also, I'm still not quite familiar with the way this board works as opposed to others where I usually post, so I'm still a little confused myself.

Bear with me, I'm still learming!

I do appreciate the help you gave me by correcting my post. Thank you!

Len Carsner

It is cool Len, no harm, no foul

of course, you realize you make me want to get this model

[Len Carsner]

of course, you realize you make me want to get this model

That, my friend, is the idea of it!

[MikeMc]

Keep it going love this kit what details!!!!!

BUT USING THE INSTRUCTIONS???????????

[Len Carsner]

The second installment, chassis and drive train, is now posted on the forum.

[Modellpularn]

The engine looks really nice, but you installed the left (driver's side) valve cover the wrong way. The oil fill cap goes toward the rear, and the small black thing is supposed to look like a rubber grommet for the PCV valve. Sorry if I'm being so nitpicky, but I now have a set of those LT1 valve covers on the engine in my El Camino. Check some Chevy sites, you might find some other useful tips and ideas when it comes to detailing....

[jeffinvt]

Looks like a great kit so far. Thanks for the detailed look at the build, seeing this I now know that I am looking for this one. Keep the updates coming...

[Len Carsner]

The engine looks really nice, but you installed the left (driver's side) valve cover the wrong way. The oil fill cap goes toward the rear, and the small black thing is supposed to look like a rubber grommet for the PCV valve. Sorry if I'm being so nitpicky, but I now have a set of those LT1 valve covers on the engine in my El Camino. Check some Chevy sites, you might find some other useful tips and ideas when it comes to detailing....

We're aware of that, in fact I have those cover on my 1976 Laguna S3. The covers are keyed so they will only fit one way, thus the upside down left cover. We didn't want to correct it since this is an out-of-the-box build with no add-ons or modifications. The followup article will show adding a wired distributor, tire lettering, possibly other wheels, and correcting the valve cover.

Glad to see you're paying attention! Be sure to check the second set of pictures, building the chassis, which are posted here.

Thanks.

LC

Edited May 5, 2008 by Len Carsner

[gto guy]

This is a nice thread. I have one of the AMT OLD PRO kit. Seeing this, makes me want to ebay the AMT and purchase a Revelle kit !!!

gto guy

[stump]

Len,

Really appreciate you guys giving us a "hands on" look whilst you build the kit..

It's one (or several.. ..) I've been wanting to get since it was announced..I'm positive I'll be needing at least 4-plus to satisfy all my building options I wish to do.....

Just curious.....adding to gto guy's thoughts on the "old" Amt kit.....are you in a possition to get your hands on an Amt kit for comparrison of wheelbase etc....I was thinking it would be a good way to do a "beater"......??

Have a front guard missing/rusted off maybe......hmmm.....

cheers

Greg

[Len Carsner]

Len,

Really appreciate you guys giving us a "hands on" look whilst you build the kit..

It's one (or several.. ..) I've been wanting to get since it was announced..I'm positive I'll be needing at least 4-plus to satisfy all my building options I wish to do.....

Just curious.....adding to gto guy's thoughts on the "old" Amt kit.....are you in a possition to get your hands on an Amt kit for comparrison of wheelbase etc....I was thinking it would be a good way to do a "beater"......??

Have a front guard missing/rusted off maybe......hmmm.....

cheers

Greg

Yep, we'll be doing a little comparo to the old kit in the followup article.

Be sure to check out the buildup in the "On the Workbench" forum. Part three will be uploaded tomorrow.

[stump]

Ahh....good stuff Len , I knew you guys would be on the ball..

Look forward to seeing results of said comparo..

I'm thoroughly enjoying the way in which you are presenting this build....

Not too often you get to see what's inside a kit, let alone see how it all goes together....Thank you..