Tommy Iv o's Showboat wip

[Farmboy]

I've completed the fuel lines from the distribution blocks to the injectors, as well as the hard lines from the dual pumps to said distribution blocks.  These lines will bring the fuel from the tank (not yet installed) to the fuel pumps.

A single fuel feed line (there's also a return line) leaves the fuel tank to about the middle of the engines between the fuel pumps.  This is where it is tee'd to the left and right pumps.  

 

The tires are bracing the frame as I've just cemented the fuel tank support to it and want it to cure with no tilt to it.  You càn also see the hard lines that go from the pumps to the hardline tees.

This overhead shot shows the fuel lines connected to the tee down between the engines.  The unused connection is the one that joins to the tank

Comments and observations welcome.

 

[cobraman]

Looks good, nice work.

[Joe Nunes]

Really impressive detail work that retains a very believable look to it. Carry on, Sir!

Joe

[Tortuga Kustomz]

This project is coming real good man, love the hard fuel lines and also, where did you get those trumpets stacks, they look really good on that engine, one thing, hope you dont take it the wrong way, i feel the plug wires are a little bit think in my opinion, they look good and i know is a little bit late to make a change in the area, i'm really enjoying this built

[Farmboy]

Hey Marcos.  The stacks are made from metal ferrules ordered from Amazon.  The plastic container has a few hundred of them in various sizes, more than enough for the rest of my model building days lol! 

Yeah the wires are slightly oversize.  They tend to look really thick when magnified in a close up.  I have scale plug wire but it just looked too spindly to me on this model.  Final decision was: a) the look and fit to the magnetos; 8 holes/8 wires easily installed with plenty of room to spare), and b) the look with plugs and plug boots.  The 30awg won.  Once the 16 additional side pipes are on I'm hoping things will be busy enough to look right at home.  Thanks for the input, 'preciated!

Comments and observations welcome.

 

Edited November 3, 2022 by Farmboy

[Nitrobarry]

You must have very small fingers to put that much detail into the engines LOL! VERY IMPRESSIVE model!

[Farmboy]

Nitro, thanx for the kinds words. I've only really begun learning to use tweezers instead of my fingers to attach parts in the last couple of years.  Took some adjustment but I now I can't see building without them!

[Farmboy]

Gas tank.  This is an odd 2-piece affair that you don't see very much of. All I added to it were the fuel in/out necks and the spring hold down I made from an old wound 4th string from my 5 string 

This is a 3/4 front view showing cap and hold down spring

And a 3/4 rear view showing the fuel in/out and spring hold down.

Top is return, bottom is feed.

Apologies for the foggy pics, not sure why that happened.

Finally the mock-up of where it's going to sit...only straight lol. Just have to hook it up.

Comments and observations welcome.

[Tortuga Kustomz]

Awesome detail add, the gas tank looks fantastic, in another note, i will try to get those stacks, they looks amazing and if they come in various size that even better, thanks for the info

[Farmboy]

Thanks Marcos.  The ferrules will come in handy for more than injector stacks too.

[Farmboy]

I wasn't happy with the way the gas tank mod turned out.  It didn't really look like the one on the real car so I took a shot at re building it.  This is a shot of the oversize D string I used for a hold down strap removed, 3 super fussy strips applied per the original (they should be indentations but I'm not telling anyone), sanded and sprayed flat black.

The strips have been painted silver per the real deal, the gas cap moved forward, and the hold down strap installed made from small diameter solder slightly squeezed between serrated pliers.

And here is the mock up install

Just have to plumb it.

Comments and observations welcome.

[Bainford]

Looking good, Mike. The detailing is really making this thing come alive.

[Farmboy]

Thanks for the kind words Trevor.  Not a whole lot left to finish, only finding time to do it, but it's getting there.

 

[Joe Nunes]

You are doing such a good job on the fiddly parts with this model, Mike, perhaps you should consider building the Orange Crate for your next project!  ??

Joe

[Farmboy]

You mean this guy lol?

Another kit build I don't think I've seen in person but I have seen a few finished ones on line.  It's somewhere on my to-do list. Thanks for the shout out Joe.

[Joe Nunes]

That's the one, Mike. I have an Orange Crate kit on the shelf... and it's going to stay there until I get a few models finished. Don't want it to turn out like my first go-round! ??

Joe

[Farmboy]

The fuel system is what's been putting me off to building the 'crate...I'd love to see an accurate diagram of it.  Plus, it then depends on what system (there were a couple) you wish to model.  I'm planning to replace both the iffy fuel pump and barrel valve by making my own or finding them in my parts stash, but that's after I finish this monster.  Looks like the headers are next.

[sflam123]

Beautiful work on the Showboat.  Your attention to detail is fantastic!  The car and the model are iconic and you are doing it proud!!

[Farmboy]

Thank you sflam, it's coming along.  

 

[Farmboy]

Got the individual headers made.  I'm sure there are a number of ways to make them, here's how I did it.  This is the stock I've been using for all the header pipes so far

Its a two step operation.  First make a master pipe for all the others to get their common shape from, then, make a jig so the opening is the width and height of the master pipe.  From then on it's a fairly  simple matter of making them fit the jig.

 

As you proceed, some tweaking and adjusting will be required.  Copy all your bends from the master for all pieces.. Make 2 or three extra.

It's inevitable some pieces will need length and additional bend adjustments.  Jig #2 makes it an easier task

I made this 90 degree jig from stuff at hand.  It works.  Master is on the left, clone is on the right, or placed on top of the master.

And this is what you get.

Comments and observations welcome.

Edited November 10, 2022 by Farmboy

[Farmboy]

The Porcupine lives!  Whew!

Also, I added the harmonic balancer behind the fuel tank.  It's a  barely visible small black disk that did the job.  Just noticed in the photo below the center row makes a slow lazy lean to the right.  That's the !ens.  They're straight.

Comments and bservations welcome

Edited November 14, 2022 by Farmboy

[Farmboy]

Seatbelts.  Thought I'd try a couple of different things.  I tried a simple strap and tongue version I may yet use, and the adjustable strap I'll show here

I started with sawing off a section of square plastic tubing and filing as thin as I dared

Here they are stuck to a piece of painters tape and sprayed Kryplon Chrome

This is a prototype I tried using a pin to see if this would make a difference in the final appearance

I decided that I could get the same effect by using ca glue and bending to form a permanent hump in the two pieces of belt to achieve the same result.  It was then a simple matter of setting the adjuster piece over the hump with a touch of ca.  

I think this going to look ok.  Some slight filing to narrow the piece and we should be good to go.   The belt tongue is photoetch passenger car type but experience has taught me it's better than anything I want to put time in to making.

Comments and observations welcome.

[cobraman]

Wow, you are going great guns on this kit. I looks very good. I have been building for over 50 years and never had the guts to tackle this kit. Still don't.

[Farmboy]

Thanks cobraman!

  If you got it build it!  It's a beauty of an ootb build too.

[Joe Nunes]

Mike, you might want to consider using cut strips of foiled packaging material like that used with Sudafed. Cut the material to the longest dimension of the buckle and then cut off the "buckles" from the strip. Cut/punch out the opening for the belt and you will be on your way. Check out my Green Hornet dragster WIP to see how I used the material for pedal covers and wire looms. I will be using your idea though to make seat belts. 

Joe