’72 Dodge Demon Drag Racer 1/25 scale

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 6/5/2025 at 4:30 PM, Ian McLaren said:

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!

Thanks Ian, I've been wanting to reproduce these heads for a long time but good visual references are rather rare.  There are small details missing (like DODGE and B1 between the exhausts) but I don't have end mills small enough to even think about trying, there are limits to madness! 🙄

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 6/5/2025 at 6:47 PM, charlie libby said:

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.

On 6/5/2025 at 6:51 PM, charlie libby said:

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

Thanks Charlie, I'm learning myself as I go, I'm kind of in familiar territory but I'm trying to improve the recipe as much as possible from my previous efforts, I must admit I'm proud of the result so far.  Sure, 1/25 scale requires less material for machining parts but it also requires super small and super fragile tools, it seems like I never have the tools small enough to do everything I want or would have the ambition to try to do... 😔

Francis

[Moparman18064]

Great work on that B-1 Francis. By the time you are done, it will look like it was in Wayne county’s shop! Make sure your windows are locked tightly, don’t need anybody smashing that beauty🤣. Seriously though, awesome machine work on those heads. The spark plugs look right at home. Are the headers going to bolt to the heads also?

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 6/6/2025 at 8:13 AM, Pierre Rivard said:

I come back from a five week vacation and surprise surprise, Francis is still machining incredible engine components. For once I am thankful for the rainy weather...

These heads are amazing. The photos of your fingers holding the block/heads combo tell a powerful story. Without these one would believe these are 1:12 or 1:8 but noooo... these are 1:25. What a feast for the eyes. You never cease to amaze mon cher Francis!

Thanks Pierre, I think you're retired, aren't you?  I imagine holidays must taste different when you're at that stage of life, but a holiday is a holiday, isn't it?

I find myself surprised to be providing updates at this time of year, but as you mentioned, the many rainy and cold days of May allowed me to do so.  Perhaps one more update before I take a vacation from my project, I am not yet retired, but every day available to advance the project will be wisely used, be sure of that.

Passe un bon été mon ami !

Francis

11 hours ago, rv1963 said:

Outstanding work on those cylinder heads Francis, I really like the milled area for the bolt heads that's a nice little detail.

Thanks Robert, It's all about preparation and organization to get good results, it also takes a lot of tools of different sizes.  It seems I never have what I need and despite having a large stock, I always find myself buying more to create the desired detail.  The advantage is that by working slowly so as not to break them, the cutting tools remain sharp for a long time when machining aluminum or brass.

By the way, it's been a few weeks since I've seen an update on your Scorpion Gasser, you're off to a good start with your aluminum engine, don't give up!

Francis

[AmericanMuscleFan]

23 hours ago, Moparman18064 said:

Great work on that B-1 Francis. By the time you are done, it will look like it was in Wayne county’s shop! Make sure your windows are locked tightly, don’t need anybody smashing that beauty🤣. Seriously though, awesome machine work on those heads. The spark plugs look right at home. Are the headers going to bolt to the heads also?

Hi Rich, sorry for the delay, your message arrived between my replies and I hadn't noticed!

Yes, the plan is to bolt (with simulated bolts) the headers onto the heads, I plan to make brass flanges but I have a lot of things to do before I get there.  Good weather is coming my way and it will probably be next fall/winter, I don't have any free time to work on my models during the summer.  If I get a chance, I'll try to make the valve covers, I ordered some very small end mills to try to create the details that I couldn't do with what I had.

Francis

[Musclecarbuilder]

That is amazing! How many quarts of oil does the engine hold?😁

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 6/8/2025 at 11:23 AM, Musclecarbuilder said:

That is amazing! How many quarts of oil does the engine hold?😁

You're funny Will, actually I can't say until the oil pan is made! 😁

Francis

[Scott Eriksen]

Francis..................your a freaking wildman!!!!!   lol !!  OUTSTANDING !

[Musclecarbuilder]

6 hours ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

You're funny Will, actually I can't say until the oil pan is made! 😁

Francis

I gotcha 😁

[AmericanMuscleFan]

19 hours ago, Scott Eriksen said:

Francis..................your a freaking wildman!!!!!   lol !!  OUTSTANDING !

Thanks Scott, I appreciate your colorful commentary on my work, let's say that the subject interests me a lot, it motivates me to give that little extra touch, I'm hard to please... 😉

Francis

[GoatGuy]

Francis, love your results! Those heads look great!! Can’t wait to see more.

Dave