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

[Straightliner59]

To close out July, I thought I would reunite the chassis with the wheels. I finished the shutoff cable/bracket assembly. I also added the two clamps for the line side of the pump connection. I think the next project will be the ignition system, beginning with the transformer mounting. I like it! Seeing it on the wheels, every once in a while adds a little bit of extra incentive and inspiration. Comments, questions and critiques are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

I was concerned about the mounting of the transformer for the mag. As it turned out, my original mount was too low to clear the cowl. I simplified the shape of the mounting bracket, and reversed it. That got all the clearance I needed. I made some faux tabs for the fuel tank, to replace the ones I removed in an "I don't need that, anymore!" frenzy. Turns out I did need those! I added some Detail Master (DM) photoetched Dzus fasteners to the tabs. I also added a DM "Nitro" script to the dash panel. 

Magneto and ignition wiring, up next. It's gonna' be a blast, making all those 90 degree boots for the plug wires on the mag. I'm trying to figure out if this thing is closer to paint and final assembly than I think, or farther away! Thanks for looking!

[John B.]

Fantastic detail! 

[Muncie]

Wow!   it's been a while since I have checked in and the progress is amazing. Love the incredible detail on the fuel system. Fascinating. I've been spending some time in a friend's shop.  this summer where he has been tutoring me on some of the parts and how they work, including some lessons on the flow bench.  His fuel injection parts come from a box with some work.  You are making all of your parts... in scale.  

 

[Straightliner59]

15 hours ago, John B. said:

Fantastic detail! 

Thank you, John. I appreciate that!

9 hours ago, Muncie said:

Wow!   it's been a while since I have checked in and the progress is amazing. Love the incredible detail on the fuel system. Fascinating. I've been spending some time in a friend's shop.  this summer where he has been tutoring me on some of the parts and how they work, including some lessons on the flow bench.  His fuel injection parts come from a box with some work.  You are making all of your parts... in scale.  

 

Thanks, Steve. Once I get the ignition completed, I'll get to work on the upper part of the fuel system, and the injector. I hope it's all in scale! A lot of it is just trying to make stuff as small as I can!?

[Straightliner59]

I used the mill to drill the body of the mag. I cut short lengths of .016" brass rod to make the posts. I still need to add the "ears" to the side of the cap/body. Also shown are the tiny miter box I use to cut the 45-degree angles for the 90-degree boots (3/32" K&S brass channel) and the scalpel I use to cut them. I use the scalpel because its blades are sharper, and hold their edge longer than #11 X-Acto blades. That sharpness is necessary, because the boots are .030" (yes, a tad big) Evergreen rod bored .016" to accept the terminal posts and the plug wires. More, when it's done! Thanks for looking!

[Straightliner59]

The mag is about ready to install. The mag cap is Humbrol German Purple. Since I took these, I painstakingly removed the paint from all the terminals, using a Squadron panel line scriber. This will make it easier to slip the boots onto them. The mag will have to be installed, first, so I can hook up the secondary wiring from the mag to the transformer and the kill switch. I made the condenser by turning a length of aluminum knitting needle (Dollar Tree--good material, cheap!), then drilling it to accept the Detail Master .0075" detailing wire. The wire is too big, but, it'll be obscured by the fact that it's black, and will enter the mag at the same place the other two wires do, so it shouldn't be too obtrusive. Your comments are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

Edited August 5, 2023 by Straightliner59

[Ian McLaren]

Your work on the magneto has me shaking my head, fantastic work my friend!

[Straightliner59]

5 minutes ago, Ian McLaren said:

Your work on the magneto has me shaking my head, fantastic work my friend!

Thanks, kindly, Ian! I got it installed. Now to hook it all up...

[absmiami]

Yup

[Pierre Rivard]

I'm running out of superlatives to describe your work Daniel. It takes me about 2 months to do a project that I see as pretty good but when I compare it to the extensive research, fabrication and detailing of this fabulous replica no wonder it requires up to 1 year to get it done.

 

[Straightliner59]

1 hour ago, Pierre Rivard said:

I'm running out of superlatives to describe your work Daniel. It takes me about 2 months to do a project that I see as pretty good but when I compare it to the extensive research, fabrication and detailing of this fabulous replica no wonder it requires up to 1 year to get it done.

I sincerely appreciate your kind words, Pierre. I thoroughly enjoy the things you do with your models. Does it help you to feel better knowing that I first worked on this in 1997?? I probably worked on it pretty steadily for seen or eight months, then. At that point, I decided that my skills weren't where they needed to be to complete it, so I put it aside, until last November. By then, I felt I'd developed the tools I'd need to see it through. I hope to have it done by year's end. I'll be wiring the mag/plugs, today. That will be a pretty big step! It feels like the "to-do" list is getting significantly shorter! I'm really struggling with my design for the paint. I have the colors and the technique figured, just not the layout. I did this drawing, so that I can experiment with my graphics program. Thanks for checking in!

 

4 hours ago, absmiami said:

Yup

Thanks, Andy! Nice work on the 166 grille, by the way.

[Straightliner59]

I got those secondary wires hooked up and the plug wire mag boots made and painted. Those will be next...

[Straightliner59]

I ran all the plug wires, then decided that I didn't like the boots. I made a new set. I didn't get a chance to install them, yet. They look much better. It was a case of "make them as small as you can, then toss them, and make a new set, even smaller!" I'll get this wired in the next couple of days, with any luck. Thanks for lookin'!

[Straightliner59]

This didn't go quite according to plan...I accidentally snipped the #3 plug wire, while trimming #5. I lost three hours, or so, taking the cap off the mag, removing the boot and cleaning its remains from the terminal post, making a new boot and panting that, and installing the new plug wire. I can guarantee you that it takes a lot longer to change a 1/25 scale plug wire, than a 1:1!? While waiting on that paint to dry, I decided to paint the nose, and its side panels. Those are on the car, now.

Finally, I tried something new with my zip-ties. I rolled the monofilament under a cylinder, to flatten it, first. I think it looks better, than without that step. Questions, comments and critiques are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[bytownshaker]

Simply amazing detail, the tie straps look great.

[Straightliner59]

13 hours ago, bytownshaker said:

Simply amazing detail, the tie straps look great.

Thanks, Edgar! I think flattening the nylon really improves the look.

[Straightliner59]

After several missteps and repairs, I think the ignition system is finally done. It was brought to my attention that the mag drive shaft was likely too long, so, I fixed that. I the process of the final installation of the plug wires, the mag came loose from the engine. No biggie, I'll finish the plug wires, and use them to help hold the mag in place, while the glue sets. The best laid plans...The mag cap then came loose from the body. Since it was completely free, I pulled the mag body/drive assembly, and cleaned it all up, and replaced the damaged decal. When I put it back in, it levelled more easily. I was then able to replace the cap/wires. It was a fair amount of work, and sometimes nerve-wracking, but I think it looks better. 

I also think I have my paint scheme figured out. Finally. It should look pretty nice! I like the balance of color, between the orange and black. It should look even better with the black "stippling". I'll do the top of the tail section, as well, to mimic/compliment the cowl. I think I'll add paint to the mixture I made from two Humbrol metallics--copper and brass, and shoot the gold/orange on the tail section. The gold mixture gets overcoated with Tamiya clear orange lacquer. Once that's ready, I can tape off the panels and shoot the black. Finally, the gold panels will be dabbed with One-Shot enamel, applied with a small piece of natural sponge. I've started working on the Cragar blower manifold, and thinking about the headers. Comments, questions and critiques are always welcomed. Thanks for looking!

[absmiami]

Super

are the plug wires .016 or .013 ??

[Straightliner59]

14 minutes ago, absmiami said:

Super

are the plug wires .016 or .013 ??

These are .018". They're MSC's old plug wire material. I suspect it's a 30 ga. wrapping wire. It's big, but these fuel motors run fat cables, with that 44 amp magneto! Thanks, Andy.

[Straightliner59]

I couldn't resist. It's almost identical, to my eye, in the light of the workbench, to the color on the Magicar. These photos are a little deeper in color than it looks, in actuality.

[Straightliner59]

Well, that escalated, quickly! ?

[Straightliner59]

Last couple, as it's getting close to bedtime. I had no plans for painting, yet, here we are!

Edited August 13, 2023 by Straightliner59

[Rattlecan Dan]

Mercy! You're going to need a bigger trophy case. Outstanding work.

[Straightliner59]

4 hours ago, Rattlecan Dan said:

Mercy! You're going to need a bigger trophy case. Outstanding work.

Thank you, kindly! A plaque or two wouldn't disappoint me, to be sure. The important thing, for me, is seeing it in my display case. I am really looking forward, to that!