TAT 2018 IH F-4270

[Goodwrench3]

OK -  a test fit step now that we're getting further on this one.

It sure looks to me like the axle needs to be moved forward a bit  ???    I thought I was only going to have to deal with that on the 4300.

Advice ?

 

[Goodwrench3]

Comparing it with this 1:1 photo.

 

 

[Goodwrench3]

Very helpful post from another forum.  This explains a lot:

4200 and 4300 Internationals had a 28-inch set back from the front bumper to the middle of the axle. Ertl got it incorrect as they used the 32-inch axle spacing from the 4070A Transtar.

 

[Chariots of Fire]

Man!  Why do they do that?? Is it because they want to save on re-tooling or is it that they just are not that observant as to how things should look?  Just sayin'!

[Goodwrench3]

I dunno.  AMT is famous for that.  Look at the Freightliner cabover kit -- the front wheels stick out like an off-road truck if you don't narrow the axle.

I guess we should be thankful we have the kits to build.   ?

 

[Goodwrench3]

Working now on relocating the front axle on this kit and also on my BRBO 4300 kit.

Hopefully when that's done the weather will finally look like spring here in Wisconsin so it will be warm enough in the garage to do some painting.  Snow here today !!!   

[kilrathy10]

Even with all the problems created with dealing with the front axle issue, it looks great, so far... Awesome....

[Goodwrench3]

Well... I think I'm gainin' on it.   This is with .040" tacked on to the front of the axle mount.   I think it needs just a tad more to center it up.

 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Looks good from here.

[Goodwrench3]

Well, now that I've got the front axle sorted out, I did some priming of the interior parts yesterday and got the radiator painted.

Going to try to give it the traditional Transtar burgandy/tan interior.

 

[Goodwrench3]

After much debate, and after reading a lot of posts on various boards, I think I'll paint the 903 black despite the box art pictures.  It sounds like (and someone please correct me if I'm wrong) while IH did have engines painted IH red, the 903 was an exception and was actually black.  I've looked for a 1:1 photos of 4200's with the 903 (hard to find) -- and did find this one.

Look forward to comments !

 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

I wouldn't get too caught up in whole "engine has to be this color" thing. Remember that there exceptions to every rule. I was of the understanding that the only engines that weren't "meant to be red" were the IH engines to set them apart. This would be factory fresh example of a truck. I know that in other trucks, different color engines slipped through and I can only assume the same for IH as well. So even factory fresh leaves the window of variance. If it is not a factory fresh build, then anything goes. Between repairs and possible engine swaps, the sky is the limit.  I think that it is totally up to you. Black, red or even tan in my opinion would be just fine. I have seen inline Cummins in IHs before that were a combination of red and tan from having repair work done.

[landman]

Good to know, Ihave a 903 in the queue.

[Goodwrench3]

I find the whole "903 thing" quite interesting.  Even during the period when KW and Pete were having all of their engines painted white, the 903 seems also to be an exception -- it was black (at least in the KWs ).  I also haven't been able to find any 1:1 photos of KWs with white 903s.  Plenty with white Detroits, etc.

Sure -- I know there are always exceptions and unless you know that a truck in a photo is truly factory-original, it's a BLAH_BLAH_BLAH_BLAH shoot.

I just like the history aspect of what was done and when, and why.  Building is fun, and learning the history is fun too.  It's sometimes a nice story to tell when someone is looking at your model and asks "did they really paint these engines white?"  (or whatever the question)  ?

 

[Goodwrench3]

Got the "big, black, ominous, 903" painted this weekend.

Sorry the picture isn't very good.   Frame is getting primered and painted this coming weekend.  Looks like decent Wisconsin weather for painting in the garage.

 

[Dutzie]

Great looking project, nice job.

[Goodwrench3]

Got the frame primered yesterday, and more parts on the engines for these "sister trucks".

 

[Mopar - D]

Nice progress. 

[Goodwrench3]

Thanks -- it's been a long time coming, but I WILL finish BOTH these "sister" trucks by year end !!!   

 

[Goodwrench3]

Got the frame painted.

Working on some of the interior tonight.  I'm waiting for the exhaust to dry and then I'll be able to drop the engine, driveshaft, and radiator into the frame.

 

 

[Goodwrench3]

Got the engine in -- still have the exhaust rubber banded to the engine as per the instructions until the cab is mounted to the frame.

Interior colors are from a 1:1 photo that I'm trying to copy (at least as best I can).

 

 

[Mopar - D]

Jeff, nice progress! Looking forward to seeing more. 

[Goodwrench3]

Thx --   Just ordered the cab striping decals.  Can't decide whether to paint it a cream color or silver.  I'll see what shade of red the decals are when they get here.  I was hoping to get a dark red/maroon shade to go with a cream color cab -- but we'll see when they arrive.