Nostalgia Fuel Dragster--Blower Manifold (01/28/23)

[Straightliner59]

I haven't disassembled the car again, yet--I've been enjoying looking at it, in the display case, as it is, sitting next to the Junior Fueler. They're a good-looking pair!? In the meantime, I've been working on parts/assemblies that will be added on, once it's apart. These brackets bolt onto/with the header flanges, and anchor the blower restraint straps. I have photoetched ones, but they aren't wide enough to fit proper-width straps, so...I made them using a technique Don showed me, years ago. I flattened brass tubing, then cut the shape on the mill. It could be relatively easily done by hand, I just wanted the added accuracy of the mill. I then soldered a length of .020" brass rod across the end of each, to represent the tube/pin assembly of the real thing. I gave some thought to using tubing with a wire pin, but the smallest brass tube I have is .0032". That was just too big, so, this is my compromise. I'd like to note, too, that my good-old 40 watt Weller iron proved best for this job.

Also shown is the assembly for the chute release handles. The bracket they're mounted to should have been soldered to the chassis long ago. I'll figure out a way to glue it, now--possibly a dab of JB Weld. Your comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[absmiami]

Yup

[Straightliner59]

I added some color to the restraint straps. They need to be flame retardant. Typically, they are silver, in color. I used small makeup sponge swabs to rub some SNJ Aluminum powder over the dark flat grey I had painted them with. I followed the SNJ with oil and a hint of rust, from a Tamiya weathering kit, to represent the oil and clutch dust they'd encounter in a fuel car pit. I painted the brackets with Krylon Semi-Flat black. They'll be adjusted to length, once the hat's off the motor, again. Comments are welcomed and appreciated. Thanks for looking!  

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Daniel, congratulations on your awards my friend, you didn't steal them, they were fully deserved and I'm not the only one who thinks so.  Each part produced is an example of ingenuity and dedication to the subject, I find the use of copper and brass for the fabrication of the zoomies very relevant, I take notes! ?

[Straightliner59]

15 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Daniel, congratulations on your awards my friend, you didn't steal them, they were fully deserved and I'm not the only one who thinks so.  Each part produced is an example of ingenuity and dedication to the subject, I find the use of copper and brass for the fabrication of the zoomies very relevant, I take notes! ?

Thank you so kindly, Francis. I had a good day at that contest! It was a nice venue, and there was some pretty cool stuff, there. I almost always use some sort of metal, for my headers. For those with collectors, I have started using aluminum armature wire. It's made for making framework (armatures) for sculpting. It's nice and soft, and comes in a variety of sizes. Brass is definitely the way to go, for zoomies!

[Straightliner59]

I finally got the 'chute release handles made, mounted, and hooked up. The cables are simply cemented into a block glued to the outside of the seat. Since the tail will never be coming off the car, once it's installed, it doesn't make any sense to spend the time, and hassle of running them all the way to the 'chutes. I decided to remake the handles a little smaller than the originals. I still need to add a nut or screw to the inside handle to cover that hole. I'll have to get better photos, later. Thanks for looking!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Excellent work Daniel, you have been on this forum much longer than me (and probably a modeler) but I assume this is your most detailed project to date?

[absmiami]

Yes …. and no …

daniel - maybe Francis has’nt seen The Bug ….  Post a couple of shots for the young ones …

[Straightliner59]

22 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Excellent work Daniel, you have been on this forum much longer than me (and probably a modeler) but I assume this is your most detailed project to date?

Thank you, my friend! I have to concur with Andy, below; This is certainly my most involved project, as far as the number of details that can be added. And, I am satisfied that it will be my best work, to date. I think The Bug was about as complete as it could have been. There just wasn't much of anything missing, from it. The only thing I could have done better was to have scratchbuilt some new wheels, for it--I would, now. That was over 30 years ago, though, and I wasn't as fearless, as I am now!? 

For a bit of background: The Bug is my replica of the car that is considered to be the first rail dragster. It was a set of stripped-down Model T frame rails with a seat, a cowl, a fuel tank an engine, and wheels. It ran 110 MPH in 1950, and I can't imagine how scary that must have been, if one considers the consequences of any mishap! Andy and I had what I can only imagine was an intense "battle" for the Replica Class in Salt lake City, in 1990. He, with a gorgeous Jaguar E Type Lightweight. I've attached a screen shot from the SAE Magazine CD of the GSL coverage, from that year. Also attached are the only photos I have of the model, which are also from that magazine. The model itself is in the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, where it's been, since 1992. That's why I don't have better photos. Thanks, Andy. I think your "yes and no" is a perfect response to Francis' question!

1 hour ago, absmiami said:

Yes …. and no …

daniel - maybe Francis has’nt seen The Bug ….  Post a couple of shots for the young ones …

 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

39 minutes ago, Straightliner59 said:

The model itself is in the Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, where it's been, since 1992.

Wow Daniel, it's certainly a great honor to have a model on permanent display in this temple of drag racing history!  It is also a good proof of your dedication in your subjects.  By the way, thanks to Andy for educating young people in their sixties, I conclude with admiration that you have a beautiful pedigree my friend! ?

[Straightliner59]

5 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Wow Daniel, it's certainly a great honor to have a model on permanent display in this temple of drag racing history!  It is also a good proof of your dedication in your subjects.  By the way, thanks to Andy for educating young people in their sixties, I conclude with admiration that you have a beautiful pedigree my friend! ?

I am honored that the model is in Garlits' museum! Knowing that he had the real car, there, I hoped the model would find its way there someday, even as I was building it. The story of it getting there required an incredible leap of faith. A couple of days later, over the phone, Big Daddy, himself told me that it had arrived in Florida, safely, having been carried home on his wife, Pat's lap. The first time Garlits saw it, in 1990, he wanted it for the museum. I told him that's where I wanted it, too, but that I wanted to enter a couple of contests, with it, first. It was two years later, that finally happened.

C.J. "Pappy" Hart, who founded the first-ever commercial drag strip, at Santa Ana, California, and who "bounced" it, in tech, the first time Dick Kraft showed up with his car, in this configuration saw it and invited me into his motor home at The 1990 Mile High Nationals, so he could get a better look at it! I really should write the story of this model down. Its history is pretty interesting. 

Like you, Andy and I share a love for scratchbuilding. I admire his work, and enjoy watching his projects come together here on the forum. I find them to be informational and inspiring. That Jaguar scared the you-know-what out of me!

Edited November 13, 2023 by Straightliner59

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Daniel, thank you so much for taking the time to tell me the main points of this incredible story.

Finally the guy (I'm talking about you) is as interesting as the models he builds, it seems that I never stop being surprised by the members of this community. ?

[Straightliner59]

On 11/13/2023 at 5:56 PM, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Daniel, thank you so much for taking the time to tell me the main points of this incredible story.

Finally the guy (I'm talking about you) is as interesting as the models he builds, it seems that I never stop being surprised by the members of this community. ?

I sincerely appreciate that, Francis. I've given some thought to compiling photos and thoughts about my different models. I had a teacher in college who told me that I should write. I'd like to include hot-tos, within the various "articles"/chapters, detailing the processes that went into the creation of each project. That you find this/my stuff interesting is encouraging, to me! I often wonder what it was that so intrigued me about this, those fifty-odd years ago. Almost from the very beginning, I knew it was more than just a hobby, for me. I wouldn't do it for any reason other than I would hope it would provide something back to this avocation that has given so much, to me--and in hopes that others might find it useful, and interesting, as well. Thank you again, my friend!

[Pierre Rivard]

I did not know about The Bug. Great model and even greater story. So from now on should we call you Mr. Himmel....or perhaps Sir Daniel?

All that celebrity stuff is a bit intimidating... 

[Straightliner59]

18 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

I did not know about The Bug. Great model and even greater story. So from now on should we call you Mr. Himmel....or perhaps Sir Daniel?

All that celebrity stuff is a bit intimidating... 

Hahaha! I think just "Dan" is most fitting! Thank you, so much, Pierre! I appreciate it!

[Straightliner59]

I have been working on the temp sensors for the headers. It took a few days to decide exactly what I was going to use to make them. i ended up using some old MSC silver/grey plug wire. I stripped off most of the insulation, and left 1/32" bare on one end,  then super glued the remaining insulation in place. I drilled a hole in a piece of .080" Evergreen strip, to use as a bending jig. Once I had the pieces bent, I added a small nut, made from Plastruct .030" hex, bored on the lathe.

I painted the nuts with Humbrol Polished Steel Metal Cote. I am going to purchase more of their colors, from this line, as they behave almost exactly as Model Master metalizers do/did.

I got the thermocouples mounted on one header, and I am very happy with their appearance! I made the "collector" boxes from .040"X.080" Evergreen strip. I used the mill, to properly space the holes. I'll pull the other header from the engine, so I can install the hardware (also includes the brackets for the blower restraint, and the diaper straps) to both flanges, as well. Once the other header is free, I can work the diaper into place, and feed the straps up over the top tubes of the frame.

Speaking of the frame--I have to make a small solder repair. The tab that holds the tie rod in alignment, on the left side of the chassis came loose, while I was shortening the tie rod. I think I can safely repair it, with minimal damage/cleanup. As always, your questions, critiques and comments are welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

I got the thermocouples mostly done, sans a bit of detail paint. I also got the diaper installed, and figured out how to make all the hardware play nicely with the strap material...I think!? Next, I'll install the aforementioned strap hardware to the header flanges, and add the bolt heads, before fine-tuning the mounting of the headers, and installing them. I still need to fix the tie rod bracket, and shorten the tie rod. I think it's getting closer! Your comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

The headers are stunning and full of detail Daniel, how could I not love them! ?

You're on your way to your newest most detailed build ever! ?

[Straightliner59]

10 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

The headers are stunning and full of detail Daniel, how could I not love them! ?

You're on your way to your newest most detailed build ever! ?

Thank you, my friend! The only goal I ever have is to make each better than the last, in some way, or to try something new. I am confident that you are correct! I am very happy with this project!

[absmiami]

yes  -  and this one won't "bug" me ....

[Straightliner59]

13 hours ago, absmiami said:

yes  -  and this one won't "bug" me ....

Brilliant!?

[Straightliner59]

I think I have one header completed, except for the straps for the diaper. Those are painted; I just need to install them. I would have them both done, but I heard the dreaded "tick" sound, and one of the blower restraint strap brackets disappeared from the tweezers into whatever void it is that parts disappear into. Therefore, next item on the agenda is to make a new one! I added some silver Rub-n-Buff to the restraint straps, as they were a tad too close to a steel color. Comments of any sort are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[Pierre Rivard]

When I have more than a dozen pieces of wire/hoses on my build I get overwhelmed...

I don"t know how you can manage so much complexity. This is seriously impressive stuff.

[Straightliner59]

5 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

When I have more than a dozen pieces of wire/hoses on my build I get overwhelmed...

I don"t know how you can manage so much complexity. This is seriously impressive stuff.

Thanks so kindly, Pierre. Your comments are always appreciated! Sometimes, it feels overwhelming, but, as long as I take it in "bite-sized" chunks, it usually works out. Usually!? I just try to make each sub-assembly a model unto itself, then, try to assemble all those little models into one "big" model. Plus, I really enjoy scratchbuilding and little details!

[Straightliner59]

Then, there were two!