’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

[Straightliner59]

Francis, my friend! Your machine work, as always, is to be greatly admired! Sorry I haven't checked in, for so long. Hope all is well, with you, and you're managing the busy season in good fashion!

 

[Claude Thibodeau]

Salut Francis!

I look the other way for a few days, and here you sculpt engine heads! Very impressive.

But I wonder: what is the thread size for the spark plugs? It's too microscopic, can't tell from the pics.... Just kidding. Masterfull work, as always. Can't way to see this thing "in the flesh". 

Take care!

CT 

[AmericanMuscleFan]

Hello everyone,

Just a few words this morning to let you know that my far too long break from my favorite hobby is finally over!  An early snowfall has covered the ground and my maintenance tools are stored in the shed until next season.  As every year, a good dusting of my workspace will be necessary, but my motivation remains intact to pursue and finish this project (however, I am not committing to a delivery date...).

Thank you all for your patience and understanding regarding my lack of interaction since June, but my sense of responsibility has once again gotten the better of me!

I will probably have a lot of trouble catching up to each of your excellent projects, but rest assured that I will get to it in the coming weeks.

See you soon, I'm really looking forward to seeing and commenting on your creations.

Francis

[Straightliner59]

Welcome back, my friend, to the show that never ends!

[foghorn62]

Good to see you back, my friend!  I hope you had a good summer.  I too have been absent for far too long.  The new Sherline machines that I bought nearly two years ago have yet to be unpacked from their shipping boxes.  Progress on my remodeled work space has been excruciatingly slow, but is finally showing signs of improvement, however small.  I’m really looking forward to seeing your wizardry once again, with the hope that it will inspire me to get my own space done and get back to what I truly enjoy.

TCOTT (the clown on the tricycle🤡)

[absmiami]

Yeah … !!

[AmericanMuscleFan]

On 11/12/2025 at 2:48 PM, Straightliner59 said:

Welcome back, my friend, to the show that never ends!

Thanks Daniel my friend, I am so glad to hear from you, I have missed your ingenious creations very much, I can't wait to see what you are working on.

On 11/12/2025 at 3:37 PM, foghorn62 said:

Good to see you back, my friend!  I hope you had a good summer.  I too have been absent for far too long.  The new Sherline machines that I bought nearly two years ago have yet to be unpacked from their shipping boxes.  Progress on my remodeled work space has been excruciatingly slow, but is finally showing signs of improvement, however small.  I’m really looking forward to seeing your wizardry once again, with the hope that it will inspire me to get my own space done and get back to what I truly enjoy.

TCOTT (the clown on the tricycle🤡)

WOW Tim, it's been a while since I've heard from you my friend, I was just wondering if you've continued working on your projects?  I know that when you're a family caregiver, you have very little time for leisure, but I think you appreciate those precious hobby hours even more when they are limited!  I hope you'll find the time to unpack those superb Sherline machines and put them to work; I promise you'll get hooked!  I can't live without it anymore! 😊

9 hours ago, absmiami said:

Yeah … !!

Thanks Andrew, I haven't had a chance to check out your latest progress yet, but I'm sure you've made much more than me in the last few months, I'll go and see it soon.

-

I just wanted to mention that I'm going to tackle the valve covers and then the entire fuel system including the Intake manifold and the carburetors, a lot of work ahead... and lots of aluminum and brass shavings to be flying in the coming weeks!  Stay tuned!

Francis

[Straightliner59]

1 hour ago, AmericanMuscleFan said:

Thanks Daniel my friend, I am so glad to hear from you, I have missed your ingenious creations very much, I can't wait to see what you are working on.

WOW Tim, it's been a while since I've heard from you my friend, I was just wondering if you've continued working on your projects?  I know that when you're a family caregiver, you have very little time for leisure, but I think you appreciate those precious hobby hours even more when they are limited!  I hope you'll find the time to unpack those superb Sherline machines and put them to work; I promise you'll get hooked!  I can't live without it anymore! 😊

Thanks Andrew, I haven't had a chance to check out your latest progress yet, but I'm sure you've made much more than me in the last few months, I'll go and see it soon.

-

I just wanted to mention that I'm going to tackle the valve covers and then the entire fuel system including the Intake manifold and the carburetors, a lot of work ahead... and lots of aluminum and brass shavings to be flying in the coming weeks!  Stay tuned!

Francis

Looking forward to your progress!

[BK9300]

22 minutes ago, Straightliner59 said:

Looking forward to your progress!

Likewise!

[Pierre Rivard]

Aaahhh Francis is back, how wonderful! 

Perhaps this is the motivation I need after staying away from my bench for 6+ months. 

Bring on the build updates Monsieur Laflamme, I NEED MY FIX!

[Moparman18064]

Glad to see you back Francis. I always look forward to what you are going to pull out of your hat next, as it is always magical!

[Codi]

Hello Francis......I knew sooner or later we'd hear from you and like everyone else, I can't wait to see your updates.  Having Randy back and sharing his pics and you back at your bench it would appear Christmas is going to come early this year.   Cheers sir,  Tim

[HankinWisconsin]

Simply amazing work right here!  Wow!!

[Ian McLaren]

I just wanted to add my voice to all the others welcoming you back to the forum, you were sorely missed my friend!