AMT Autocar Dumptruck kit questions

[PHPaul]

I got the AMT Autocar DC-9964B Dumptruck Kit to use as the basis for a pulp truck (logging truck) build.  I plan to spend at least as much time detailing it as building it. 

Just opened the box and perused the instructions and right away two questions come up:

1.  What engine is this supposed to be?  I'm not really up on big diesels, so can't ID it from the parts tree (assuming it's even modeled after a specific engine).  If I have at least a brand (Cummins or Cat or whatever) I can find pictures, get correct colors and perhaps add some details.

2.  The kit includes parts for a normally aspirated and a turbo version.  The turbo parts are marked as "Do Not Use".  I'd much prefer to use the turbo version and I'm prepared to build a custom exhaust for it, but I'm curious if the turbo version will fit under the stock hood.  If major bodywork is needed to make it fit, I may pass on that idea.

Thanks in advance for any information.

Paul

[Jim B]

I believe the engine is a Cummins NHC250 (generally painted a sandy beige color from the factory).  I don't see why the turbo wouldn't fit under the hood.  I guess the only way to be certain is to assemble the turbo engine & see if it fits.

[PHPaul]

I suspected it might be a Cummins, but wasn't sure.  I'll go with that.

I'll build it as a turbo and tack it into the frame and then mock up the cab and hood.

Thanks for your input!

[Fat Brian]

I believe the turbo parts will get you an NTC-350, this engine was in other kits that used the Autocar cab. It should fit without much headache, although you will have to reroute some tubing.

[PHPaul]

Thank you, Brian.

[Mark]

Maybe look for the instruction sheet from one of the turbo variants...all of the needed parts may, or may not, already be in the box.

[Fat Brian]

Here's a link to a pic of the AMT Western Star instructions, it should show everything needed for the turbo motor.

https://public.fotki.com/modeltrucks25thscale/truckkit_instructions/amt/724-western-star/amt724---1-25---whi.html

[Oldmopars]

I can confirm that the Turbo fits just fine. I built this kit and used the turbo, fit just fine. If you want I can post a link to the under glass post. 

[PHPaul]

10 hours ago, Oldmopars said:

I can confirm that the Turbo fits just fine. I built this kit and used the turbo, fit just fine. If you want I can post a link to the under glass post. 

Super.  I appreciate a link!

[stavanzer]

Paul, not sure if you had seen this.

A little bit about the Autocar Cab.

 

[Oldmopars]

here is the link. You can see in one of the pictures the turbo mounted. I left off the sides of the hood. When you see it, you will understand. 

[PHPaul]

@Oldmopars - Thanks that gives me a number of ideas for my build.

I started on engine assembly today.  I noticed a couple of things about the kit:

1.  LOT of flash.  Every part had to be cleaned up not just for appearance but to make it fit properly.  Don't remember that from the model kits I built as a youngster, but perhaps I just didn't care then.  There was quite a bit of sanding to get the block halves aligned so the other pieces mounted properly.

2.  The numbers called out in the instructions don't even remotely match up with the numbers cast into the sprues.  Part ID is strictly visual.  So far that hasn't been a problem but I can see it causing issues when there are right/left parts to assemble.

[Fat Brian]

25 minutes ago, PHPaul said:

@Oldmopars - Thanks that gives me a number of ideas for my build.

I started on engine assembly today.  I noticed a couple of things about the kit:

1.  LOT of flash.  Every part had to be cleaned up not just for appearance but to make it fit properly.  Don't remember that from the model kits I built as a youngster, but perhaps I just didn't care then.  There was quite a bit of sanding to get the block halves aligned so the other pieces mounted properly.

2.  The numbers called out in the instructions don't even remotely match up with the numbers cast into the sprues.  Part ID is strictly visual.  So far that hasn't been a problem but I can see it causing issues when there are right/left parts to assemble.

Yeah, these old AMT kits need a lot of cleanup and squaring up to get them fitting correctly. 

[PHPaul]

Working on the interior.  Does anybody make door hardware and window crank details?  They are VERY faintly cast into the door panels but too thin to be even remotely realistic and difficult if not impossible to highlight with a Molotow pen.

Push comes to shove, I could probably scratch build something that would at least be better than what's there.

 

NEMMIND.  Somewhat to my surprise, I was able to 3D print some reasonably scale hardware that looks okay.  Had to use my magnifying visor to trim them!

Edited February 26, 2022 by PHPaul

[Oldmopars]

On 2/26/2022 at 9:35 AM, PHPaul said:

Working on the interior.  Does anybody make door hardware and window crank details?  They are VERY faintly cast into the door panels but too thin to be even remotely realistic and difficult if not impossible to highlight with a Molotow pen.

Push comes to shove, I could probably scratch build something that would at least be better than what's there.

 

NEMMIND.  Somewhat to my surprise, I was able to 3D print some reasonably scale hardware that looks okay.  Had to use my magnifying visor to trim them!

Please, show us what you made. I would love to see your 3D solution. Never know, you make have a market here for some.

[PHPaul]

Here's how they appear in TinkerCAD.

and installed.  For some reason, my camera didn't want to focus.  If needed, I can try my "big" camera and see if I can get a better shot.

Happy to share the .stl files via Thingiverse if anyone is interested.

Edited March 1, 2022 by PHPaul

[Jim B]

Very nice.  I like the cooler, too.  I think those are pretty generic & would work in all sorts of AMT trucks.  My son has a 3D printer, but I have no idea what type of files it uses.

[Oldmopars]

49 minutes ago, PHPaul said:

Here's how they appear in TinkerCAD.

and installed.  For some reason, my camera didn't want to focus.  If needed, I can try my "big" camera and see if I can get a better shot.

Happy to share the .stl files via Thingiverse if anyone is interested.

I am trying to get into 3D printing, no printer yet. I would love it if you shared the files. 
JimB is right, those would work well in about any AMT/MPC trucks or even many cars. 

[PHPaul]

I believe .stl (Stereo Lithography) files are pretty much a standard.

.stl files are not an allowed file type so I can't attach them, but I'll post them up on Thingiverse and provide a link for both the door hardware and the cooler.

Lunch box STL file

Door Hardware STL file

Might need to wait a bit on the door hardware file, Thingiverse is VERY slow uploading files.

Edited March 1, 2022 by PHPaul
Add files

[Jim B]

Tried printing out the door hardware using my son's 3-D printer.  Unfortunately, they didn't come out.  Too small for his printer, I guess.  The lunchbox came out ok.

[Oldmopars]

53 minutes ago, Jim B said:

Tried printing out the door hardware using my son's 3-D printer.  Unfortunately, they didn't come out.  Too small for his printer, I guess.  The lunchbox came out ok.

Were you using a Resin printer or a Filament printer? If Resin, what resolution?

I am ordering a Elegoo Mars 3, it is 4K Mono. I would think it would do the little door handles.  

[Jim B]

It's a Tronxy filament printer.  Doesn't really have all that good of resolution.  I think it might have been an Amazon special.

[PHPaul]

Finally got some warm-ish days and clear weather so I could scoot over to the log yard on the motorcycle and grab some pix and measurements.  Dang sure wasn't taking the truck with $4+ gas and 17mpg!

Using this as a reference for everything from the cab back.

Probably be quite a while before any significant progress is made on the model, nice weather and other pursuits will take precedence.  When I DO start making progress, I'll start a WIP thread.

[PHPaul]

Raining this afternoon, so I did some measuring.

I'm going to have to add 4" between the back of the cab and the front tandem on the rear, and 2.5" between the rear tandem and the back of the frame.  Woof!

Can't find any C Channel of the appropriate dimensions to extend the frame so I decided to see if I could print some.  If that doesn't work out, I'll have to glue it up out of sheet I guess.