mrmike Posted December 27, 2016 Author Posted December 27, 2016 Thank you Oscar! I appreciate your kind words.
Metalmad Posted December 28, 2016 Posted December 28, 2016 Looking good so far ! Was thinking of picking up this kit to build in the near future.
mrmike Posted December 28, 2016 Author Posted December 28, 2016 Thanks Seth. If you do get this kit, just be aware of the hard plastic. I painted the body and hood again and I also painted the other body parts that I had forgotten. More Mopar to come...
mrmike Posted December 31, 2016 Author Posted December 31, 2016 I was approached via PM that there are errors on certain parts in this kit. The person involved had to be told that this kit is being built the way I want it and that I didn't care if that person thought that there are errors in the kit. If that person thinks there are errors in the kit, they should take the issue to the kit manufacturer, not me. I am building this kit my way and on my time schedule. Obviously, this person has no respect for me and his agenda was to get me to build the kit his way. I will not reveal this person's identity unless an Admin asks for it and only then will it be done via PM. I want to be clear on this...this kit will be built my way and on my time schedule. Nobody elses.I do welcome any and all comments made on my builds. Thank you.
mrmike Posted January 6, 2017 Author Posted January 6, 2017 Thank you Oscar! Since I've been retired, the pain in my back is not as severe so getting around and doing what I need to do is not as bad. This morning, I assembled the carbs, valve covers, distributor, and the fan belt assembly. The distributor has been drilled out for plug wires. I noticed that there is no fuel pump, so I'll have to scratch build one, steal one from my parts box, or add an external fuel pump. My wiring supplies are at the ready. The ignition coil is being held by a pair of tweezers. More Mopar to come...
Mr. Horsepower Posted January 7, 2017 Posted January 7, 2017 Looking good Mike! any issues with the hood scoop fitment from the Cornet?
mrmike Posted January 7, 2017 Author Posted January 7, 2017 Thanks Chris! The hood scoop will fit just fine once you scrape the bottom edges of the hood scoop and area where the scoop will be placed on the hood. The kit I have was made with a hard plastic that my model cement doesn't penetrate well. Scraping the joints and "roughing" up the plastic will give the cement a better surface to bond to.
Mr. Horsepower Posted January 7, 2017 Posted January 7, 2017 Thanks for the heads-up! I plan on using that same scoop on mine when I finish my current project.
mustang1989 Posted January 7, 2017 Posted January 7, 2017 First off, your build looks really good so far. That engine looks awesome Mike!! Secondly.....................this has GOT to be the BEST looking Belvedere I've ever seen. Almost makes me want to build one myself!
mrmike Posted January 7, 2017 Author Posted January 7, 2017 Thanks Joe! I say, go for it! That Belvedere is a hot looking car! I have been investigating on how to raise the suspension on this model and I can simply invert the front spindles and add blocks under the spring mounts for the rear suspension.
Ron Hamilton Posted January 8, 2017 Posted January 8, 2017 (edited) Mike, as someone who is going through similar aches and pains, I feel for you. Regarding your '65 Belvedere build, I think it is fantastic. I love the choice of color, and the way you are approaching the subject matter. I have one of the kits myself, but when I got it out of the box, this is what I had to deal with. Fortunately, I was able to fix it. I cannot tell you how I did it, but I used 55 years of model building skill to successfully straighten it. I have been using Plastistruct liquid cement or superglue on my Mobieus models with good luck. I look forward to your builds. I love them. Edited January 8, 2017 by Ron Hamilton
mrmike Posted January 8, 2017 Author Posted January 8, 2017 (edited) Ron, I'm not surprised that your body was warped. This kit is packed really tight and the possibility of a warped body is evident, even mine had a slight warp to it. I was able to straighten mine out rather easily. I have been scraping the joints on this plastic and the Tamiya Extra Thin Cement and the Model Master Liquid Cement seem to be able to bond with the plastic now. Clearly the glossy smooth plastic is the culprit and scraping the surface of the plastic is the way to go. Edited January 23, 2017 by mrmike
mrmike Posted January 12, 2017 Author Posted January 12, 2017 I got the engine wired complete with ignition coil. I still have to fit the air cleaner and add any decals. More Mopar to come...
mrmike Posted January 15, 2017 Author Posted January 15, 2017 This afternoon, I did some painting on the Belvedere. I painted the exhaust system and the chassis pan. I had some Model Master Insignia Red left over from other projects and I stretched that as far as I could by painting the floor, side panels, seats, and steering wheel. I will have to stop at the local hobby shop and get some more so I can paint the headliner. More Mopar to come...
mustang1989 Posted January 16, 2017 Posted January 16, 2017 Nice detail on that engine Mike!!! Starting to come alive!
David G. Posted January 16, 2017 Posted January 16, 2017 Good progress Mike, the engine looks great!David G.
mrmike Posted January 17, 2017 Author Posted January 17, 2017 (edited) Thanks Joe and David! I was examining the rear suspension and noticed that the rear springs and axle were molded open and that didn't sit well with me. I decided to add some styrene strips and fill in the voids. I filled the ends of the rear axle with parts sprue after filling the springs with styrene. While this may never be seen, I feel better knowing that it was filled in. I had started to try an form a top to the rear differential, but that wasn't working out for me, so I added some styrene pieces and will sand them later when the glue has dried. If this doesn't work out, I may just fill the void with Bondo and shape that instead. More Mopar to come... Edited January 17, 2017 by mrmike
mrmike Posted January 18, 2017 Author Posted January 18, 2017 (edited) At this point, the chassis partially assembled. The clips are holding the K member on until the glue dries. I still have to add the exhaust system and the rear axle. The rear axle with the riser blocks on the springs. More Mopar to come... Edited January 23, 2017 by mrmike
mrmike Posted January 19, 2017 Author Posted January 19, 2017 More progress on the Belvedere. The chassis is nearly complete. I just need to paint and install the rear shocks and finish the interior. More to come...
1972coronet Posted January 20, 2017 Posted January 20, 2017 Looking great , Mike ! Super attention to the details , as usual ? .
mrmike Posted January 20, 2017 Author Posted January 20, 2017 Thanks John! Well, yesterday I loaded up the Belvedere for transport to a model playdate with several Club members. All went well until I got home and unloaded my gear and models and found that the left rear tire had broken off. The mount on the rear axle was fractured when I mounted the backing plate and the rear tire and rim. The solution was simple...sand the axle end smooth and drill a hole for a piece of styrene rod, making sure that the rod is straight, trim it to the proper length, and remount the rear tire and rim. More Mopar to come...
mrmike Posted January 22, 2017 Author Posted January 22, 2017 (edited) More work done on the engine bay and the chassis. The interior is done for now. More Mopar to come... Edited January 22, 2017 by mrmike
mrmike Posted January 23, 2017 Author Posted January 23, 2017 Thanks Joe! I'm really happy with how this Belvedere is turning out. Now I have to turn my attention to the body and start wetsanding for a smooth finish.
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