tbill Posted October 15, 2019 Posted October 15, 2019 I started this after reading that other thread, I think this may be what that was supposed to originally be. So, having said that, what have you got for kit parts that are supposed to resemble 1:1 aftermarket speed parts? If you have it and know what it is, who made it, and what period it is from, post with pics. If you have it, and have no clue what it is, post it with pics. let the learning begin......
Ace-Garageguy Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 (edited) Here's one to get the ball rolling, as per request... SPALDING / GRANT "FLAMETHROWER" IGNITION SYSTEM I chose this to kick things off as it makes an appearance in the '40 Willys kit Casey posted on the thread that started the idea. (part #9) This is a part that is very frequently misidentified as a "magneto". It is not. Rather, it's essentially two single-point distributors in one housing, requiring two coils, and functioning as a dual-point distributor, but with twice the dwell time on each set of points because of its unique configuration. Unlike a magneto, it requires a battery to function, so keep that in mind if you use one. These can be run with or without a vacuum advance can, depending on the application. In general, a blown engine will not use vacuum advance, though the can may be set up to function as a pressure-retard device, common on old-school turbocharged street engines Introduced in the late 1950s (IIRC), and popular through the 1960s into the '70s, they're still fine units for street or competition use (though parts can be difficult to find). They can be used on any V8 engine. There are 4 plug wire terminals on each side, wired as shown above. Several kits include this distributor, including the vintage Revell Ford 427 and AMT Chrysler 392 parts-packs. Edited October 16, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy 4
Ace-Garageguy Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 (edited) SCINTILLA / VERTEX / JOE HUNT MAGNETO Introduced in the mid 1930s, this is probably the most common magneto represented in kit form. Almost every kit that has something labeled "magneto" in the instructions, this is it. They're also available in simplified form from some aftermarket model part suppliers (with all the wires coming out one big hole in the cap). It's used effectively on the street, as well as sprint, drag, and road-racing cars. They were seen on Cobras, McLarens, Offys, and top-fuel rails...and everything in between. This mag is still a good piece of hardware, and does NOT require a battery to operate. Today, several fake Vertex mags are available that look just like the real thing, but have modern electronic guts. The fakes DO require a battery on the car. Edited October 16, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy 3
Spex84 Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 Example sources for a Spalding Flamethrower distributor: Revell '55 Chevy, Revell Parts Pack Ford 427 and Pontiac 421. Here's one added to an MPC '57 Chevy engine. Example source for a Vertex magneto: AMT '53 Ford PU (on the custom Desoto Firedome V8 optional engine). For the mag shown below, I cut the top off the AMT '53 PU part, fixed the bad seams, and dropped it on top of a piece of aluminum tubing to form the cylindrical casing. Drilled 8 pinholes in the cap and stuffed the wires in to match the 1:1 inspiration. 2
Greg Myers Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 My first introduction and an all time favorite because it was simple enough to do from the AMT Double Dragster kit 1
Greg Myers Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 and with multiple engine options there were a few left over in each kit
Mr. Metallic Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 15 hours ago, Ace-Garageguy said: SPALDING / GRANT "FLAMETHROWER" IGNITION SYSTEM There are 4 plug wire terminals on each side, wired as shown above. What is the purpose of this piece?
Ace-Garageguy Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 42 minutes ago, Mr. Metallic said: What is the purpose of this piece? 32 minutes ago, Greg Myers said: vacuum advance Yup. As I noted above, a supercharged engine will most likely NOT use a vacuum-advance can. There is never a vacuum condition in the intake manifold with a mechanical supercharger. All timing advance will be controlled mechanically inside the ignition unit by weights and springs.
Ace-Garageguy Posted October 16, 2019 Posted October 16, 2019 10 minutes ago, Greg Myers said: According to this it is a vacuum advance. YES, it IS a vacuum advance. Nobody is disputing that fact. MY POINT is that a vacuum advance has no place on a supercharged engine. Anybody building a model of an engine with a blower, remove the advance can. A normally-aspirated engine MAY use vacuum advance to advantage.
randyc Posted October 17, 2019 Posted October 17, 2019 NICE! I like the idea of this thread. I've always wondered how those wired up because kit parts are always round. Now I have ideas.
Modlbldr Posted October 17, 2019 Posted October 17, 2019 Thanks guys for getting this rolling and for all of the info. I have never seen a flamethrower or magneto up close so it was helpful to see how they are wired on the 1:1 and what applications they would be used for. Just exactly the purpose of this thread. Keep it up. Later-
STYRENE-SURFER Posted October 20, 2019 Posted October 20, 2019 Schiefer in the early 1960s started building Magnetos for Drag Racing with over 8000 units sold. I have found two kit sources for the Schiefer Magneto tho there could be more. I do not have either of these so can't speak for there fidelity to scale. AMT Don Garlits Wynn's Jammer. AMT '69 El Camino Soap Box Derby Champions
Greg Myers Posted October 20, 2019 Posted October 20, 2019 Columbia Two speed rear end, Monogram '40 Ford Convertible.
Greg Myers Posted October 20, 2019 Posted October 20, 2019 Model T "Fronty", overhead cam cylinder head, AMT XR-6, '27 T - Ford
Greg Myers Posted October 20, 2019 Posted October 20, 2019 "Riley" Cylinder head conversion from AMT and Revell. The Revell '31 Model A kits all had these parts.
OldNYJim Posted October 20, 2019 Posted October 20, 2019 (edited) The AMT Mod Rod kit has a similar Riley setup too ⤴️ Edited October 20, 2019 by CabDriver
Modlbldr Posted October 21, 2019 Posted October 21, 2019 Does anybody know anything about these wheels and what time period they would have been seen on drag cars? The pic is from Drag City Castings site and I am thinking about placing an order, to include these. I like the look of them. Later-
Greg Myers Posted October 21, 2019 Posted October 21, 2019 (edited) Traction Master traction bars found in early Revell Tri- Five Chevy kits and The last AMT '60 Ford Starliner Edited October 21, 2019 by Greg Myers 2
Ace-Garageguy Posted October 21, 2019 Posted October 21, 2019 (edited) 51 minutes ago, Modlbldr said: Does anybody know anything about these wheels and what time period they would have been seen on drag cars? The pic is from Drag City Castings site and I am thinking about placing an order, to include these. I like the look of them... That design was originated by Ted Halibrand and widely referred to as "kidney beans" because of the bent ovoid shape of the slots. They've been around since the mid 1950s, used on pretty much anything imaginable: drag cars, road racing cars, Indy cars, dry-lakes cars, and street rides. Similar styles are still in production, one current one being from American, called "Salt Flats". Edited October 21, 2019 by Ace-Garageguy 3
Casey Posted October 21, 2019 Posted October 21, 2019 1 hour ago, Modlbldr said: Does anybody know anything about these wheels and what time period they would have been seen on drag cars? 1
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