64 Dodge D100 Pickup Pro Street

[AmericanMuscleFan]

4 hours ago, wrenchr said:

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!!

Thanks for the compliment Jim! Pistons and crankshaft might be done on my next built if I can convince myself to make an exposed engine out of the body.

Cheers, Francis

[GoatGuy]

Francis, this is the first I have seen your build. Wow it is fantastic. Keep up the great work and STAY HEALTHY. 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

2 hours ago, crazyjim said:

Where did you get the giant dime?  Workmanshipis unreal and it's pleasure to watch your progress.

I think I got it with my money change at my last visit at Giant Tiger store... LOL. Thanks for visiting and your kind comments on my build Jim!

Cheers, Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

19 minutes ago, Straightliner59 said:

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.

Thanks Daniel! You should just see the lathe and milling as an extension of your imagination. Most of these parts might be done by hands with just less accuracy but could be as rewarding. It's just an hobby and each of us must find there satisfaction at it's own way!  Cheers, Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

19 minutes ago, GoatGuy said:

Francis, this is the first I have seen your build. Wow it is fantastic. Keep up the great work and STAY HEALTHY. 

Glad to get your visit GoatGuy and thanks for your kind words!

Be careful during those disturbing days...  Cheers, Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello to everyone!

Hope everything is going well to all of you and your relatives all around our mother earth!!!

I just want to share with you my last add-on to the hobby. I wanted for quite a long time making my own anodized aluminum parts so I bought all the equipment and supplies to do so and I want to show you my very first test. I polished a 0.250'' piece of K&S aluminum square rod and I did test the red dye, I'm very happy how it turns-out. The finish is very hard, scratch resistant and shiny and won't hide details as transparent paint. I also bought blue and black dye (product specialized for aluminum) so I will have some other options for my next parts where I want to add colors instead of raw finish.

I will post new pics of the progress on the engine next weekend.

Stay safe during these disturbing days, Francis

[Sledsel]

I have no words... I am still trying to absorb the quality of the craftsmanship going on here

 

[2zwudz]

??

[Codi]

Sexy Francis.   You should share a bit more on the technique and products though.............just because I'm curious.  ?   Cheers, Tim

[AmericanMuscleFan]

18 hours ago, Sledsel said:

I have no words... I am still trying to absorb the quality of the craftsmanship going on here

 

Thanks Andy! I very appreciate your high praises on my build! I'm really devoted to this build and I still have a long way to go so feel free to come back anytime.  Cheers, Francis

 

18 hours ago, 2zwudz said:

??

Thanks for the thumb up Mark!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

8 hours ago, Codi said:

Sexy Francis.   You should share a bit more on the technique and products though.............just because I'm curious.  ?   Cheers, Tim

Thanks Tim! I didn't add much details because I found most of the technique on Youtube videos. Basically, you can do this with household products with the exception of hazardous and disgusting battery acid for the anodizing bath (I know that we can replace this by the PH- for swimming pool but I didn't test that yet). You need a power source so a car battery charger settled at 2 amps is sufficient but I purchased a variable DC power supply for more accuracy. You need plenty of distillated water and not tap water for all the operations. You can use cheap clothing dye available everywhere but results are variable according to what I read from different stories. I bought the aluminum dye on eBay but you can find everything from Caswell. I invite you to check online videos for the technique but on thing sure, your parts must be spotless (no problem here with you) to get a perfect result... really worth it!

Don't hesitate to send me a PM if you want more infos, I will be more than happy to help if you need.  Take care, Francis

[mustang1989]

Continue to be blown away...…..

[landman]

Are there any seats for spectators in your shop? ?

[AmericanMuscleFan]

18 hours ago, mustang1989 said:

Continue to be blown away...…..

Thanks Joe, your input and replies are always welcome!  Cheers, Francis

 

7 hours ago, landman said:

Are there any seats for spectators in your shop? ?

I always have a couple of old chairs behind me but they are pretty dirty and covered of dust from styrene, brass and aluminum... can't wait to add more dust with my airbrush... LOL.

Take care, Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone!

Today's update is for the engine heads. I wanted to improve them from the ones made for '70 GTX with more accurate details in the philosophy to try to ''always improve things'' on the next build. Since it's a drag racing truck I wanted to soup-up the engine with high performance parts so I tried to reproduce the Edelbrock Gen II racing heads (perimeter only as well...). It's very difficult to reproduce every nooks and crannies but I tried to make them as convincing as possible without going crazy since most of the details will be hidden on the final engine. I spent more than 50 hours on these heads so I hope you'll like them... As usual don't hesitate to tell me what you think about these, your input is very appreciated!

Be careful during these frightening days, Francis

 

Picture of Edelbrock Gen II HEMI heads (target pic found on internet).

Beginning of the heads machining. Both are machined face to face on the same aluminum piece in order to get them identical. The thin extra part that exceed is for the valve cover housing (Hemi valve covers are slightly longer than the engine block).

Front heads details, a 0.093’’ aluminum rod will be inserted to create the extra material were the bolts (both ends) to mount the heads on the block are drilled.

Aluminum rod inserted

Different sizes of aluminum tubes added in the front to simulate the water plugs and attachment points. I also drilled the exhaust ports using a 0.080’’ drill bit.

Headers screwing points drilled using a 0.016’’ drill bit.  Note: HEMI heads have square ports but I didn't invest myself in that since they will be hidden behind the intake manifold and headers flanges.

Closer view

Head separated from the other one and the details elements in progress on the other end.

Intake side on the vise to be machined at 10 degrees angle to match the block deck width. The Hemi heads are narrower at the engine block face and larger at the valve cover face.

Hemi heads final.

Hemi heads final exhaust and intake view.

Test fit (will be mounted on block using 0.031’’ copper rivets).

Test fit front view.

Test fit front view different view.

Test fit back view.

Test fit side view.

[afx]

I've been following Francis, very impressive work.

[Scott8950]

Everytime i come back im blown away... wow 

[crazyjim]

You should make molds of all the parts you're creating.

[Mike Williams]

Wonderful work here Francis, many thanks for this. 

Already, your skills and attention to detail has become quite an incentive for me.  I've changed the front of the Hemi I'm working on and adapted the front plate accordingly.  Looks much better now.

Merci.

[Straightliner59]

Francis, such excellent work, sir. Thank you for sharing the process.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

4 hours ago, afx said:

I've been following Francis, very impressive work.

Thanks for following JC!  Always welcome!  Cheers, Francis

 

4 hours ago, Scott8950 said:

Everytime i come back im blown away... wow 

I'm glad for keeping you entertained again Scott!  I do have so much ideas for this build that I'm afraid about the deadline to deliver that thing... I will try to reason with myself!  Cheers, Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

3 hours ago, crazyjim said:

You should make molds of all the parts you're creating.

Jim, you're absolutely right but I don't have any experience with mold making for resin parts. I would be forced to simplify some details (or omit them) to make parts removable from the mold because they are full of holes and undercut areas.  Furthermore, I heard that ''some not too shy guys'' have made copies the hard work done by others and I would be angry if something like that happened to me... Thanks for the suggestion anyways, I consider this as a compliment!  Cheers, Francis

[Codi]

As always Francis I've learned some new things & I like the different techniques/approaches you're using.  As an aside, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY concur with your sentiments in replying to CrazyJim.   He brings up a good suggestion, but one cannot really appreciate what you're doing unless they've tried it themselves.  It certainly is not for everyone and to do what you're doing..............well, it's certainly unique and one of a kind.  You've got some real talents sir.  cheers, tim

[2zwudz]

Wow! I wish I could learn how to do this!!!

[GoatGuy]

Francis those are awesome looking heads. I look forward to more of this build. I will also look at a couple of my fuel builds in progress to see if I can add any details to the heads that I see on yours.