Revell 1966 GTO Engine Bay/Chassis Fit.

[StevenGuthmiller]

I've been monkeying around in my shop today, working on retrofitting some parts from the Revell '66 GTO into my '64 Lemans, and I just have to ask the question to those of you that have built the Revell '66.

Has the fit between the inner fender wells and the frame rails manifested itself this poorly to any of you, or am I doing something wrong?

 

Maybe I expected too much from a widely harolded kit, but it looks a lot like horse manure to me!

I'm a modeler, so I'm not going to let it stop me, but with as much tinkering with fitment that I'm going to have to do between the GTO and Lemans already, I didn't expect that I would have to straighten out fit problems with the donor kit before I even began.

A little frustrating, especially for a Revell kit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

[Exotics_Builder]

I just went down to check my 66, and yes, that is the fitment.  Not as noticeable when finished, but there are those gaps.

[Keef]

The gaps between the inner fender and frame rails? I would think that would be normal on a 1:1 car as the inner fender is removable. Maybe that carried over to the model as well? 

[StevenGuthmiller]

46 minutes ago, Keef said:

The gaps between the inner fender and frame rails? I would think that would be normal on a 1:1 car as the inner fender is removable. Maybe that carried over to the model as well? 

I could understand a small “vertical” gap, but not a horizontal one.

You shouldn’t be able to look down into the engine bay and see the ground between the fender well and frame rail.

 

 

 

Steve

[Keef]

38 minutes ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

I could understand a small “vertical” gap, but not a horizontal one.

You shouldn’t be able to look down into the engine bay and see the ground between the fender well and frame rail.

 

 

 

Steve

On most older GM products the inner fender liner bolted to the fender and radiator shell but “floated” above the frame rails. Normally there was a material similar to a mudflap that had clips to hide the gap between fender liner and frame rails. Google 1966 GM inner fender splash shield and it should help explain.

[Bills72sj]

Keith is correct. The inner fenders hang outboard of the frame rails. Steve, If you go out and check your GP you will see it.

[StevenGuthmiller]

1 hour ago, Keef said:

On most older GM products the inner fender liner bolted to the fender and radiator shell but “floated” above the frame rails. Normally there was a material similar to a mudflap that had clips to hide the gap between fender liner and frame rails. Google 1966 GM inner fender splash shield and it should help explain.

Thanks Keith,  but I think I'm getting closer to the fit that I'm looking for, at least a presentable fit before I have to try to mate it to the new body.

Some twisting to bring the "toes" in, bending at the radiator bulkhead, and some other twisting and contorting, and I think at least the gaps are addressed.

I'm waiting on another donor kit to arrive before I can begin fitting the firewall, but at the moment, it looks better.

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

[StevenGuthmiller]

7 minutes ago, Bills72sj said:

Keith is correct. The inner fenders hang outboard of the frame rails. Steve, If you go out and check your GP you will see it.

Well, in any case, There's no possibility that I'm going to be able to ignore gaps of that size.

My suspicion is that if the fender wells are supposed to be mounted outside of the frame rails, they're pretty close, as in the photo that Keith provided, not a scale 2 inches away as they appear to me on this kit.

 

In any event, I believe with some massaging, they're getting closer to acceptable in my view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

[Exotics_Builder]

2 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

Thanks Keith,  but I think I'm getting closer to the fit that I'm looking for, at least a presentable fit before I have to try to mate it to the new body.

Some twisting to bring the "toes" in, bending at the radiator bulkhead, and some other twisting and contorting, and I think at least the gaps are addressed.

I'm waiting on another donor kit to arrive before I can begin fitting the firewall, but at the moment, it looks better.

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

That's looking real good!!!

 

[Keef]

6 hours ago, StevenGuthmiller said:

Well, in any case, There's no possibility that I'm going to be able to ignore gaps of that size.

My suspicion is that if the fender wells are supposed to be mounted outside of the frame rails, they're pretty close, as in the photo that Keith provided, not a scale 2 inches away as they appear to me on this kit.

 

In any event, I believe with some massaging, they're getting closer to acceptable in my view.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve

After looking at the first picture you posted vs the last one I can see what you’re saying. The last picture looks way more acceptable than the “toss a baby through it” gap in the first picture. I love following your builds because of the detailed work you put into your amazing creations. Carry on good sir, I’ll be watching ?

[NOBLNG]

Here is a pic I found on a GTO forum.