Maindrian Pace Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Holy schmize. I go away for a few months to build some 1:1 stuff, wade back in here, and this shows up. Francis is making jewelry out of styrene, brass, and aluminum, while the rest of mankind is hoarding toilet paper. What a world we live in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nazz Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 (edited) Quote Every time I check in on this build Francis, I am more amazed than before! My two cents on paint finish, I think you should put a nice shiny paint job on this one to bring out the beautiful body lines on the truck. Especially after doing all the great body work. Edited March 15, 2020 by Nazz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobthehobbyguy Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 That radiator is amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowlife ! ! Posted March 15, 2020 Share Posted March 15, 2020 Incredible work going on here, the rad looks real ! Amazing thread, not many of us will reach these heights in accuracy but it's fun to watch ! As for paint, could I suggest something bland ? Silver maybe ,with a bit of patina? You want people to look at the bodywork, not a colour that distracts from all that work ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 7 hours ago, Maindrian Pace said: Holy schmize. I go away for a few months to build some 1:1 stuff, wade back in here, and this shows up. Francis is making jewelry out of styrene, brass, and aluminum, while the rest of mankind is hoarding toilet paper. What a world we live in. Thanks for your comments Mike! This is the most hilarious reply I never had and I'm still laughing as I reply to you... I can't see anything good about that freaking virus but I might have more free time to spend on my build if my boss decided shut down the operations for some days... fortunately I do have a good inventory of toilet paper... LOL. Cheers, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted March 16, 2020 Share Posted March 16, 2020 Gonna bring this pic forward because it's just too dang good to leave behind!!! Awesome work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 7 hours ago, Nazz said: Every time I check in on this build Francis, I am more amazed than before! My two cents on paint finish, I think you should put a nice shiny paint job on this one to bring out the beautiful body lines on the truck. Especially after doing all the great body work. Thanks for your kind comments Jerry! I still have so many things to do on this truck so the paint is not yet in my main concern but I will probably go with a shiny paint job since I do have zero experience with patina look (however it is very beautiful when it is well done). One thing sure, paint color choice won't be easy but all suggestions are welcome... Cheers, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 6 hours ago, bobthehobbyguy said: That radiator is amazing. Thanks Bob, always a pleasure!!! 6 hours ago, Lowlife ! ! said: Incredible work going on here, the rad looks real ! Amazing thread, not many of us will reach these heights in accuracy but it's fun to watch ! As for paint, could I suggest something bland ? Silver maybe ,with a bit of patina? You want people to look at the bodywork, not a colour that distracts from all that work ! Thank you Martin! As I just replied to another fellow member the paint choice won't be easy and I still have some months in front of me to think about it but the comments and suggestions are very appreciated! Stay tuned, more pics to come. Cheers, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 16, 2020 Author Share Posted March 16, 2020 13 hours ago, mustang1989 said: Gonna bring this pic forward because it's just too dang good to leave behind!!! Awesome work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks Joe! Always happy to get your enthusiastic comments!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 17, 2020 Author Share Posted March 17, 2020 Hello Guys, Just a small update showing the radiator mounted temporarily in the engine bay on its brackets and the radiator cap in the making. Cheers, Francis Radiator mounted with small bolts (for position only) on its supports seen from engine bay. Radiator seen from outside. Aluminum radiator cap on the lathe chuck, ribs were made prior with the rotary table on the milling (indexed at every 45 degrees). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted March 17, 2020 Share Posted March 17, 2020 This has to be trick photograhy, Francis. The work you're doing is unreal for 1/25. Keep on going. I'm thoroughly enjoying your magnificemt workmanship. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 18, 2020 Author Share Posted March 18, 2020 9 hours ago, crazyjim said: This has to be trick photograhy, Francis. The work you're doing is unreal for 1/25. Keep on going. I'm thoroughly enjoying your magnificemt workmanship. Thanks for the kind comments Jim! I must admit that I'm pretty happy about the test fit for the radiator. The remaining space will be sufficient to welcome the big Hemi engine I'm currently working on. Pics of the engine block will be uploaded on my next update! Take care, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claude Thibodeau Posted March 18, 2020 Share Posted March 18, 2020 18 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said: Thanks for the kind comments Jim! I must admit that I'm pretty happy about the test fit for the radiator. The remaining space will be sufficient to welcome the big Hemi engine I'm currently working on. Pics of the engine block will be uploaded on my next update! Take care, Francis Hi Francis! As you may know, the RAM on march 29th has been canceled until further notice. Hope we'll be able to attend it together with our friends as soon as the rules againts public meetings is released, and a new date is announced... As to your rad cap, I'm worried... Will this thing sustain the usual 16 pounds of pressure in your cooling system? Please reassure us... CT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 19, 2020 Author Share Posted March 19, 2020 5 hours ago, Claude Thibodeau said: Hi Francis! As you may know, the RAM on march 29th has been canceled until further notice. Hope we'll be able to attend it together with our friends as soon as the rules againts public meetings is released, and a new date is announced... As to your rad cap, I'm worried... Will this thing sustain the usual 16 pounds of pressure in your cooling system? Please reassure us... CT Hello Claude, I wasn't aware for the RAM cancellation but I was pretty sure that the event might be cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus situation then we will have to catch up on the next opportunity. Talking about the radiator cap, I'm not to nervous, anyways we can't race with glycol in the cooling system but just pure water to avoid any messy spill on the track therefore water won't soil too much the engine bay... LOL. Take care my friend, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted March 19, 2020 Share Posted March 19, 2020 16 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said: Hello Claude, I wasn't aware for the RAM cancellation but I was pretty sure that the event might be cancelled or postponed due to the coronavirus situation then we will have to catch up on the next opportunity. Talking about the radiator cap, I'm not to nervous, anyways we can't race with glycol in the cooling system but just pure water to avoid any messy spill on the track therefore water won't soil too much the engine bay... LOL. Take care my friend, Francis I'm curious......is the thermostat in this engine scribed with the proper temperature rating? lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 20, 2020 Author Share Posted March 20, 2020 6 hours ago, mustang1989 said: I'm curious......is the thermostat in this engine scribed with the proper temperature rating? lol Come on Joe! It's totally useless to put a thermostat in a drag racing engine... LOL Cheers, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang1989 Posted March 20, 2020 Share Posted March 20, 2020 2 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said: Come on Joe! It's totally useless to put a thermostat in a drag racing engine... LOL Cheers, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 Hello everyone, Today's update is a big one... the HEMI engine block. I spent an outrageous amount of time on that thing. I wanted a one piece engine block as the real one so I made a lot of cuts with different tooling. I started with a T6 aluminum block that I squared perfectly on the milling and moved on the lathe for the first rough cuts. The major part of the job was done on the milling as well using the rotary table and the angle plate for most of the cuts. Hope you'll appreciate it as much I found it challenging to made it! Take care to all of you and your relatives during those disturbing days... Cheers, Francis Using a 1.500’’ x 1.000’’ 6061 T6 aluminum bloc I started machining a a round section in order to mount the part on the milling’s rotary table. Round section done, it could become the Bell housing but I want to make it at a separate part so I will part this section at the end. I coated the rectangular portion with dye and drilled the holes of the crankshaft and the camshaft to the right position and scale as per the real Hemi block from technical informations found on different web sites. I also traces the engine block shape in the front and started to remove the extra material starting by the oil pan face (a lot of aluminum to be removed). After having milled the top portion (below the intake manifold) I moved to the rotary table to cut the pistons top deck at 45 degrees. I drilled piston holes at scale and repetition in order to get the exact engine block length. They are not functional but used as a guide for the next operations. Second side done staggered at scale as per real engine block (width of the crankshaft end of one connecting rod). Engine block's sides in progress. You can see some extra material close to front block end for the oil pump housing. Sides ribs engraved and 0.093’’ shallow holes for the freeze plugs (K & S 0.093’’ aluminum tubes will be inserted and 0.062’’ brass for the plugs). Beginning of the front engine block detail (timing chain housing). Holes are drilled at the perimeter using a 0.016’’ drill bit and act as a guide for machining the shape. Beginning of machining the shape using a 0.031’’ end mill. The other shape on the right is the part of the oil pump housing that exceeds the front engine block as per the real one. Machining in progress. Machining the top portion of the timing chain housing where the distributor is located. Distributor hole and housing drilled at 45 degrees. The distributor shaft will pass just on top of the camshaft bore hole and is aligned with the oil pump housing. Hole and seat for the oil dipstick. Machining of the engine block transmission housing. Holes for the bell housing and starter are drilled using a 0.020’’ drill bit. Engine block final with brass freeze plugs and drilled holes for crankshaft side mains bolts, oil pump and oil dipstick. Engine block seen from the other side. View of the front including hole for the distributor and hold down clamp. You also can see the engine block stamping ID shape. View of the back including the hole for the oil sensor switch. View from under including holes for the oil pan and oil dipstick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
James2 Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 OK, it's official, I hate you! ^ ^ ^ ^ Just kidding, I'm actually jealous...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Codi Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 I'm LOVIN' it. cheers, tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrenchr Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Ahh hah...........wheres the pistons, crank and cam........................................ all this work it must run as well. ? J/K amazing work, I look forward to your updates Francis!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyjim Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Where did you get the giant dime? Workmanshipis unreal and it's pleasure to watch your progress. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 5 hours ago, James2 said: OK, it's official, I hate you! ^ ^ ^ ^ Just kidding, I'm actually jealous...... Hi Rooster, glad to know that ultimately you don't hate me for that piece of aluminum... more of the same material to come on the next update! Cheers, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanMuscleFan Posted March 21, 2020 Author Share Posted March 21, 2020 4 hours ago, Codi said: I'm LOVIN' it. cheers, tim Hi Tim, I'm happy to get your approbation on this one! Take care, Francis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Straightliner59 Posted March 21, 2020 Share Posted March 21, 2020 Francis! Impressive work! I would love to use my mill, like you and Tim do, but whenever I begin to think about it, the order of work boggles my mind. I will get it figured out, but, I am very right-brained--much more an artist than an engineer. My hat is off, to you, sir. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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