’72 Dodge Demon Drag Racer 1/25 scale

[AmericanMuscleFan]

6 hours ago, Pierre Rivard said:

I'm speechless... 

I struggle to line up the corkscrew into the cork... yet you machined a very complex engine block measuring about half the size of the cork.

This is next next next level stuff.

I need a drink!

Thanks Pierre, your funny my friend.

However, what you are describing is supposed to happen only after the second bottle but you seem to have big bottles, maybe after the first one it would be normal... 🤣

Too bad I'm leaving for work, I would have loved to have a drink with you! 🍷

Francis

[NerdmanB]

Francis this absolutely amazing. Your skill and vision are incredible. I am thinking of trying to use metal in my builds. First will be a brass funny car frame. But I want to try machining some parts. My question is where do you get your end mills? Again amazing work. Brian 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/2/2025 at 7:17 PM, NerdmanB said:

Francis this absolutely amazing. Your skill and vision are incredible. I am thinking of trying to use metal in my builds. First will be a brass funny car frame. But I want to try machining some parts. My question is where do you get your end mills? Again amazing work. Brian 

Thanks Brian, I can only encourage you to start, it's addictive!   My only advice is to start by machining simpler parts and add challenges and complexity as you feel more confident.  As for end mills, I bought a lot of them on eBay, sometimes you can find auctions with lots of several sizes offered at the same time.  They are expensive despite their small size and they come in several sizes and shapes (straight and ball nose) to provide cutting and finishing options.  Don't hesitate if you have any questions, I will be happy to offer you my support.

I bought several at: https://drillbitsunlimited.com

Francis

[NerdmanB]

Thank you Francis I will check that sight. I’m sure I will have more questions. I will be watching all your builds. Brian 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

20 hours ago, NerdmanB said:

Thank you Francis I will check that sight. I’m sure I will have more questions. I will be watching all your builds. Brian 

The only thing I can add at the moment is to buy good quality, it's tempting to buy the cheapest but it's frustrating when those same tools don't cut well or lose their edge quickly.  Have fun, it's priceless! 😊

I may start to be less active in the coming weeks, as the summer break is fast approaching, but I will continue to visit the forum from time to time if you have any questions.

Francis

[Musclecarbuilder]

Wow that block is amazing! Great work Francis! 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/11/2025 at 12:58 PM, Musclecarbuilder said:

Wow that block is amazing! Great work Francis! 

Thanks Will, my modeling season is almost over but I'd like to make the heads and maybe the valve covers too before I put my tools away for the summer.  I fear the weather will decide all of this, the hobby will reluctantly give way to full-time outdoor summer work. 😔

Francis

[Ian McLaren]

The block is amazing and a testament to patience and carefull planning.  I'm not a machinest, although I did take a rudimentry course as part of my drafting technology program nearly fifty years ago. I was however the general manager of Davenport Racing for several years and we did race motor design and machining to a very high tolerance.  So I do have an appreciation for the efforts involved. To see you working on an item nearly 25 times smaller and achieving this type of accuracy is simply mind boggeling.  I cannot wait for the next batch of wonders that emerge for your very high performance race engine machine shop. Very well done indeed!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/14/2025 at 12:20 AM, Ian McLaren said:

The block is amazing and a testament to patience and carefull planning.  I'm not a machinest, although I did take a rudimentry course as part of my drafting technology program nearly fifty years ago. I was however the general manager of Davenport Racing for several years and we did race motor design and machining to a very high tolerance.  So I do have an appreciation for the efforts involved. To see you working on an item nearly 25 times smaller and achieving this type of accuracy is simply mind boggeling.  I cannot wait for the next batch of wonders that emerge for your very high performance race engine machine shop. Very well done indeed!

Thanks so much Ian!  Knowing your experience as a true drag racing car engine builder, your comments are quite an honor and add to my sense of accomplishment for what I have managed to do with my engine block.  Let's just say this wasn't my first attempt, but I tried to improve the recipe using the same technique I used to machine the one for my D100 pickup.  Although I was quite satisfied with my previous efforts, I was left a little hungry and I especially wanted to improve the front part of the engine block, more precisely the part where the timing gear and the water pump housing are installed.  This section is very distinctive and very difficult to reproduce but I had found all the measurements to recreate it.  I started machining the heads but was forced to put that aside for a bit to focus on outdoor work but would like to be able to finish them and maybe machine the valve covers before closing up shop for the summer.  Too bad, I'm in my favorite part of the project... 😔

Francis

[Mattilacken]

Great build Francis! Every part looks 10/10! 

[Bainford]

Very Impressive, Francis!! I only view your thread when I have the time to properly absorb the details. Always a treat. Cheers.

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/26/2025 at 1:03 PM, Mattilacken said:

Great build Francis! Every part looks 10/10! 

On 5/26/2025 at 4:13 PM, Bainford said:

Very Impressive, Francis!! I only view your thread when I have the time to properly absorb the details. Always a treat. Cheers.

Thanks Anton and Trevor, I'm trying to improve as much as possible on my previous efforts to create more detailed and realistic parts as possible with the tools I have.  On the other hand, I am still buying new, smaller tools (end mills) to be able to make the smallest details that I can't do with my current arsenal.

My build season has now entered slow mode (as if it wasn't always like that... 🙄) but due to the bad weather we've had since the beginning of May, I managed to find some time to machine the engine heads, I'll try to post the pictures in the next few days.

Come back whenever you want.

Francis

[Codi]

Good morning too Francis, I just checked and it seems there is a cold front headed your way and the forecast is for 2 more weeks of snow and sleet.   I'll expect your post with pics by weeks end.   lol......tim

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 5/29/2025 at 5:57 AM, Codi said:

Good morning too Francis, I just checked and it seems there is a cold front headed your way and the forecast is for 2 more weeks of snow and sleet.   I'll expect your post with pics by weeks end.   lol......tim

You have good sources Tim, it's 7 degrees here this morning with a rather cold rain!😱  I'll be able to continue working on the Demon a little longer, the promised photos of the engine heads are on their way!

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone,

I don't know if this is good news or bad news, but the cold, rainy days we've had in abundance here in May in my area have extended my modeling season somewhat.  The planned build sequence for the engine was cylinder heads, so I started my milling machine and sent some aluminum shavings flying.  Based on the very limited information and photos available or at least what I found, I tried to make the best possible representation of the famous B1 heads, the ones the Dodge Boys used in the early 90s in Pro Stock.  There seems to be a bit of mystery behind the history of these heads but I have read that the original part number is P4529832TS, but fear not, I do not have tools small enough to engrave the serial number. 😂  Why did I choose to build an engine like this?  Because it was a beautiful era that ended for NHRA events in Canada, more specifically at Sanair where I used to go with my friends for a great weekend of drag racing.  It was also at this time that the Dodge Boys (Darell Alderman and Scott Geoffrion) competed with these heads on their big block and the Dodge Boys were on site at the time.

Enough story, I'll show you the results of my work, I think these are the most detailed heads I've ever made, judge for yourself but I must admit I'm pretty satisfied!  There are several photos, I put on two separate posts.

Francis

The target.

 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

The rest of the photos.

By the way, the spark plugs are from RB Motion, I had them for years and hadn't had the chance to use them, you wouldn't have seen them on a HEMI. 🙄

[BK9300]

Being satisfied is a well earned, and a bit modest, right, Francis!  Really enjoy seeing what each update brings - amazing skills you bring to this hobby.

[Codi]

I like "different" Francis....and those fit the bill exactly.  I admit I'm not familiar with that particular head per se but you sure made them look fantastic.  The machinist in me makes me pause and smile at the things you incorporated and they're just the ticket to go with your block.  Can't wait to see the valve covers (hint-hint)     Cheers, Tim

Hope you don't mind Francis but I love the back-story on these and I believe this is the head or a VERY close relative/version of it and I thought I'd share it.........Hot Rod mag article.....it is quite interesting.   

https://www.hotrod.com/features/the-b-1-attack-phase-2-april-1991-982-1472-111-1

 

Edited Monday at 08:53 AM by Codi

[AmericanMuscleFan]

6 hours ago, BK9300 said:

Being satisfied is a well earned, and a bit modest, right, Francis!  Really enjoy seeing what each update brings - amazing skills you bring to this hobby.

Thanks Brian, rest assured that you are a good example to follow when it comes to providing high quality updates, your thread is a must for me, you bring a lot of motivation and wonder to all those (like me) who visit your current project.

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

5 hours ago, Codi said:

I like "different" Francis....and those fit the bill exactly.  I admit I'm not familiar with that particular head per se but you sure made them look fantastic.  The machinist in me makes me pause and smile at the things you incorporated and they're just the ticket to go with your block.  Can't wait to see the valve covers (hint-hint)     Cheers, Tim

Hope you don't mind Francis but I love the back-story on these and I believe this is the head or a VERY close relative/version of it and I thought I'd share it.........Hot Rod mag article.....it is quite interesting.   

https://www.hotrod.com/features/the-b-1-attack-phase-2-april-1991-982-1472-111-1

 

Thank you Tim, I appreciate your kind comments on my machining techniques and your approval on my choice, I knew you would like them because I know that unusual subjects are what interests you the most, we clearly agree on this point among others!

Thank you for taking the time to add the link, it is absolutely relevant and constitutes a good and rare source of information on these heads, it is also one of the resources that I had found on the net to launch my project.  I also found some ads with photos and discussions on forums to guide me.

If the weather permits, valve covers will be my next project (as you subtly suggested 😁), it's Mother Nature who will decide, but I know that my fellow citizens are starting to look forward to summer settling in for good, summers are short north of the border and the months fly by like weeks!

Francis

[Ian McLaren]

When the B1 heads came out they caused great concern to those of us running Chevrolet power.  It turned out the concern was justified and these became very competitive.  Your machining skills have certainly done these heads justice and really add to the pedigree of the engine.  I agree with Tim, bring on the valve covers!

[charlie libby]

Francis i somehow missed your incredible engine block. I expanded your photos to steal some of your ideas. You always teach me something new . Glad you have a quality camera.

[charlie libby]

PS. It sure takes alot less material in 1/16 or 1/24