Trying to fix the '51 Fleetline...

[NOBLNG]

  On 12/4/2023 at 5:07 AM, customline said:

There is no oil filter provided so I will need to make one if I want one (was it an option? See bottom photo ?)

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Nice start on the engine.? Yes, apparently oil filters were a dealer installed option, and the intake manifold should be the same color as the block.
https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/miscellaneous/oilcanister.htm

The Revell chrome has a very nice look to it. Not terribly durable…the Spaz Stix clear for their mirror chrome seems to go on fairly good with minimal dulling. I am currently redoing my Nomad bumper with it. Here is a thread on the chrome.

https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/181804-revell-spray-chrome-test/?

Edited December 4, 2023 by NOBLNG

[Ace-Garageguy]

Much more-better-making going on.  

Much as I like this kit (though I've never completed one due to all the issues you've already identified...mostly), it's certainly not a high-point of kit design and tooling.  

[customline]

  On 12/4/2023 at 12:01 PM, NOBLNG said:

Nice start on the engine.? Yes, apparently oil filters were a dealer installed option, and the intake manifold should be the same color as the block.
https://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/miscellaneous/oilcanister.htm

The Revell chrome has a very nice look to it. Not terribly durable…the Spaz Stix clear for their mirror chrome seems to go on fairly good with minimal dulling. I am currently redoing my Nomad bumper with it. Here is a thread on the chrome.

https://www.modelcarsmag.com/forums/topic/181804-revell-spray-chrome-test/?

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Thanks, Greg. I always thought( because of apparent ignorance ?) that those old Chevies had splash oiling, not pressurized systems, which is what confused me because I kept seeing apparent add-on oil filters on these stovebolts. ?

  On 12/4/2023 at 1:03 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

Much more-better-making going on.  

Much as I like this kit (though I've never completed one due to all the issues you've already identified...mostly), it's certainly not a high-point of kit design and tooling.  

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That is a shared observation, Bill, but I suppose the same could be said for a vast number of kits across the entire brand spectrum. To quote a famous physicist, "it is what it is".

I really like the car so I've got to deal with the kit. I just scored another one on Fleabay this weekend ( planning a custom for that one. The Fleetline can be such a wicked cool custom) so that says something about my capacity for pain and anguish 

[Ace-Garageguy]

  On 12/4/2023 at 4:48 PM, customline said:

...I really like the car so I've got to deal with the kit. I just scored another one on Fleabay this weekend ( planning a custom for that one. The Fleetline can be such a wicked cool custom) so that says something about my capacity for pain and anguish 

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Exactly...and an accurate rendition of your example in scale would be a show-stopper.  

[customline]

  On 12/4/2023 at 5:16 PM, Ace-Garageguy said:

Exactly...and an accurate rendition of your example in scale would be a show-stopper.  

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Bill, I just watched a great video. Check it out  https://www.enginelabs.com/videos/tech-videos/engine/redline-rebuild-watch-a-chevy-stovebolt-six-come-back-to-life/  I was looking for some insight on detaili g the stovebolt when I found it. Less than 10 minutes.  Do it!

[Dan Hay]

Now that you have shown that those god-awful windows can be fixed, I might actually build one of these!  Thanks for your attention to detail to fix something that really has bugged me for years, and I really like 51 Chevys!

[customline]

  On 12/4/2023 at 6:39 PM, Dan Hay said:

Now that you have shown that those god-awful windows can be fixed, I might actually build one of these!  Thanks for your attention to detail to fix something that really has bugged me for years, and I really like 51 Chevys!

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Dan, I am a big fan of these Chevy Fleetlines. The body style reeks of a mindset unique to that era. I have a Galaxie '46-'48 Fleetline kit waiting for me. I just love the idea of that body style. The archaic aerodynamic style. It's so post-war. I love it.

[customline]

Here's the ol' Stovebolt in stock drag. As soon as the paint cures a little more I'll be washing with some brown and black stuff to give it a little age. The transmission looks way too small,, doesn't it?  The crankcase is badly formed.  Instead of having a boss for the distributor as part of the crankcase they made the boss like a stalk, a separate part like it was part of the distributor. Really goofy. They figured kids wouldn't know the difference. Good thing I'm not a kid, huh?   I believe they should have provided an oil filter but, because it was a dealer-installed option ( thank you, Greg ), they didn't so I guess I'll have come up with it somehow (you know... builder installed ? ) According to many photos I find on the Web, the air cleaner isn't right either. W T F?  Sorry....thanks for checking in  ?

[customline]

I figured I'd get the chassis assembled so starting with the front suspension seemed like it would be fun. It was not.  The parts fit is fiddly and difficult to to assemble. Because I did not want to paint everything first, I needed to ad lib and I'm sure glad I did. Anyway, I got the lower control arms, coils, and stock spindles all in place, leaving the spindles to swing free. They will be glued later. The instructions call for the wheels/tires to be mounted on the spindles and then assembled to the control arms . You can probably do it that way by forcing the spindles into place after assembling the the rest of the suspension first. The fit is pretty loose.  The spindles are just crude square blocks with round pins and the wheels fit on the dowels and are retained by rings. I glue my wheels, I don't like wobbly wheels. 

Then I got to the sway bar ? .  They made it with the links pointing the wrong way.  Or maybe the anchor brackets upside down. Whatever. I had to fix it and I don't like how I did. I cut the links off and drilled out the bar ends so I could insert new links pointing the other way.  It was a big mistake to use solvent to glue the new links to the bar ends. They split open. Should have used CA. Next time I will make the links more to scale and kill two birds. The pictures tell the story. Thanks for not laughing. (Oh...go ahead ?)

[dino246gt]

Here's a remote oil filter on a '41 Chevy six. Can't remember which kit had it but a simple scratch build is possible. It seems these colours were the way they were back then.

When scratch building things like this, don't overlook clear lenses or clear red tail lights, once painted they can look right!

 

Edited December 5, 2023 by dino246gt

[customline]

  On 12/5/2023 at 3:34 PM, dino246gt said:

Here's a remote oil filter on a '41 Chevy six. Can't remember which kit had it but a simple scratch build is possible. It seems these colours were the way they were back then.

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Yeah, Dennis, I can rob one of my kits but then...well, you know. I've got a '41 kit but wanted to do an "esthetically abandoned " job with it but who knows by the time I get there. Yours looks terrific. You have a lot of wires to connect. I'm gonna open that box since you pointed me that way. Yes indeed! Who will miss it? ?

[customline]

Just a couple of things. I didn't like the air cleaner from the kit - it didn't seem correct so I found a replacement in my stash. Now it looks more like what I see in web pics. I hope it clears the hood.  I tried to find an add-on oil filter in my kit inventory without success so I used my infinite talents and made one ?. wooo hoooo!

Then I tackled the rear end/shocks. I discovered that I would not be allowed to sneak the exhaust system under the installed rear axle housing so the axle must be painted by itself and installed in the painted chassis after the exhaust system is in place. I also discovered the shocks would not fit nicely without some cutting away of the spring to axle mounts and thinning of the lower shock brackets (It seems it was designed to have the lower shock mount join the top of the spring right on top of a u-bolt (?) and on an angle.  It could not possibly work like that ?) I positioned all of that with tape and I glued just the lower shock brackets to the springs at the front of the modified axle mounts. This makes painting and assembly a bit easier. I hope.

Then I checked to see if I could slip the engine in after the floorboard was assembled to the frame. Yes- but with a slight reduction of the trans mount. So I glued down the floorboard and hopefully I can get paint on this stuff tomorrow. Thanks for coming by ?. 

 

 

 

 

[dragcarz]

Great work, this is coming along nicely. I really like your attention to detail!

[customline]

  On 12/6/2023 at 10:23 AM, dragcarz said:

Great work, this is coming along nicely. I really like your attention to detail!

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Thanks, Roger, that's where the fun is ?.

Now I wait for the weather to let me paint all that. This kit is, let's say......not the best. After much awkward manipulation using tape and glue, I was able to assemble the firewall/ inner fender/radiator/air ducts. Now it can be painted as a unit. The assembling of this kit, I think, must be completely re-sequenced by the builder in a way that makes painting a priority.  The instructions are weak and in some instances wrong or confusing. This Millennium version provides an instruction sheet made like a road map ( remember those?) and handling it gets old very quickly. I don't usually build OOB so maybe this is why I'm struggling ?.

[customline]

Moving along with the chassis, exhaust system,  and rear end, and the interior, I figured it was time for a mock-up since I had the body ready for paint (almost- I spotted a few glitches that I may or may not try to smooth out). I should have the dash completed in a few days but it's just waiting on guage faces.

Just an FYI on paint. I obtained 5 "jars" (?) of Revell Aqua Colors to see what that was all about. First, I gotta say whoever designed the containers has never, ever used paint and probably graduated from some tech college in East Germany at the bottom of her class.  I have made a habit of cleaning my paint bottle threads and caps to prevent difficulty opening them.  I'm afraid, with these strangely designed vessels, that will be way too difficult for my.....somewhat compromised dexterity. So no more of that, I don't need another paint spill in the dining room.  And just so you know, I'm not real crazy about Tamiya bottles either. Even if I liked this water based paint for models, the cans(?) are the deal killer. Thanks for listening ?.

I wired the tail pipe to the floor and cut about an eighth inch off the manifold end to get the system up tighter against the bottom. I pinned it at the manifold. The pipe was painted with MM metalizer "magnesium ". Soon it will be no more. ☹️

The interior is just primer gray.... nothing to see here.....

The inner fender/ firewall/ radiator/air ducts thing is a bit askew but it's staying that way as a reminder ( I scored another one of these kits )  it's not obvious to the casual observer (I hope)

I think there's a slight twist affecting alignments but it's too late to fix it now ( I don't care ?). Thanks for looking!

 

[bobss396]

  On 12/5/2023 at 5:09 AM, customline said:

I figured I'd get the chassis assembled so starting with the front suspension seemed like it would be fun. It was not.  The parts fit is fiddly and difficult to to assemble. Because I did not want to paint everything first, I needed to ad lib and I'm sure glad I did. Anyway, I got the lower control arms, coils, and stock spindles all in place, leaving the spindles to swing free. They will be glued later. The instructions call for the wheels/tires to be mounted on the spindles and then assembled to the control arms . You can probably do it that way by forcing the spindles into place after assembling the the rest of the suspension first. The fit is pretty loose.  The spindles are just crude square blocks with round pins and the wheels fit on the dowels and are retained by rings. I glue my wheels, I don't like wobbly wheels. 

Then I got to the sway bar ? .  They made it with the links pointing the wrong way.  Or maybe the anchor brackets upside down. Whatever. I had to fix it and I don't like how I did. I cut the links off and drilled out the bar ends so I could insert new links pointing the other way.  It was a big mistake to use solvent to glue the new links to the bar ends. They split open. Should have used CA. Next time I will make the links more to scale and kill two birds. The pictures tell the story. Thanks for not laughing. (Oh...go ahead ?)

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I started one on Sunday, the hardtop version I got years ago partially built. I had to rip the rear out, broke one leaf spring, an easy fix. It is going back in with 3/64" brass rod. I'm going to pin the entire front end in a similar fashion.

I was considering another 6 engine, the AMT '60 Chevy truck has an excellent one. But no speed equipment. My car will be a figure-8 stock car. I ran across a nice 250 from VCG resins, they also make a stock version. 

The body will be modified, no corrections will be made outside of thinning the window openings. On the hardtop kit, the rear and front glass are separate pieces.

[espo]

  On 12/13/2023 at 3:12 AM, customline said:

Moving along with the chassis, exhaust system,  and rear end, and the interior, I figured it was time for a mock-up since I had the body ready for paint (almost- I spotted a few glitches that I may or may not try to smooth out). I should have the dash completed in a few days but it's just waiting on guage faces.

Just an FYI on paint. I obtained 5 "jars" (?) of Revell Aqua Colors to see what that was all about. First, I gotta say whoever designed the containers has never, ever used paint and probably graduated from some tech college in East Germany at the bottom of her class.  I have made a habit of cleaning my paint bottle threads and caps to prevent difficulty opening them.  I'm afraid, with these strangely designed vessels, that will be way too difficult for my.....somewhat compromised dexterity. So no more of that, I don't need another paint spill in the dining room.  And just so you know, I'm not real crazy about Tamiya bottles either. Even if I liked this water based paint for models, the cans(?) are the deal killer. Thanks for listening ?.

I wired the tail pipe to the floor and cut about an eighth inch off the manifold end to get the system up tighter against the bottom. I pinned it at the manifold. The pipe was painted with MM metalizer "magnesium ". Soon it will be no more. ☹️

The interior is just primer gray.... nothing to see here.....

The inner fender/ firewall/ radiator/air ducts thing is a bit askew but it's staying that way as a reminder ( I scored another one of these kits )  it's not obvious to the casual observer (I hope)

I think there's a slight twist affecting alignments but it's too late to fix it now ( I don't care ?). Thanks for looking!

 

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A lot of work but the payoff in the appearance now has to be worth it. 

[customline]

  On 12/13/2023 at 1:57 PM, bobss396 said:

I started one on Sunday, the hardtop version I got years ago partially built. I had to rip the rear out, broke one leaf spring, an easy fix. It is going back in with 3/64" brass rod. I'm going to pin the entire front end in a similar fashion.

I was considering another 6 engine, the AMT '60 Chevy truck has an excellent one. But no speed equipment. My car will be a figure-8 stock car. I ran across a nice 250 from VCG resins, they also make a stock version. 

The body will be modified, no corrections will be made outside of thinning the window openings. On the hardtop kit, the rear and front glass are separate pieces.

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I think the '51 would make a great short track car. The kit's not great but the car is worth the work. I hope to see it soon, Bob. 

[customline]

  On 12/13/2023 at 4:16 PM, espo said:

A lot of work but the payoff in the appearance now has to be worth it. 

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This sort of modification work is what elevates my enthusiasm, Dave. It "gets the juices flowing", to use a well worn cliche. Once I get the "main idea" done, the project becomes routine and my enthusiasm sorta fades. Then I start thinking about the next "big idea". ?.

I have another Fleetline kit that I decided will get the kustom treatment but I need to finish a half dozen other builds before I can put my hands on that one. It's quite a mess I have going here ☺️.

[ModelcarJR]

Looks good, Jim!  I can't wait to see it with paint and foil! ??

[customline]

  On 12/13/2023 at 5:20 PM, ModelcarJR said:

Looks good, Jim!  I can't wait to see it with paint and foil! ??

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Yeah, me too.....just waiting on the weather, John.....like a lot of us here ?.  We do get some good days, though.  I just need to be patient (something I'm not good at  ?.)

[bobss396]

  On 12/13/2023 at 4:34 PM, customline said:

I think the '51 would make a great short track car. The kit's not great but the car is worth the work. I hope to see it soon, Bob. 

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I will try to take pictures later on, I have to dig out my good camera or try posting from my phone. I am a little on the urban-amish side at times...

So far the build is on day 4 and I have a lot done. I'm waiting for the 3D 250, it may impact the floor pan, my biggest fear. I have lots of it pinned to make assembly easy, put angled plastic stock on the interior sides to hole it better for final assembly. I have a built up Fleetline I need to look at for some questions I have on the front end assembly.

I'm sort of following what I recall from the early figure-8 days at the local tracks. I have seen some videos from around 1970 (world championship) that are great reference. The RF safety hubs came along at a later date. Most F8 cars were close to stock before 1975, like any other class they evolved.

[customline]

  On 12/14/2023 at 1:55 PM, bobss396 said:

I will try to take pictures later on, I have to dig out my good camera or try posting from my phone. I am a little on the urban-amish side at times...

So far the build is on day 4 and I have a lot done. I'm waiting for the 3D 250, it may impact the floor pan, my biggest fear. I have lots of it pinned to make assembly easy, put angled plastic stock on the interior sides to hole it better for final assembly. I have a built up Fleetline I need to look at for some questions I have on the front end assembly.

I'm sort of following what I recall from the early figure-8 days at the local tracks. I have seen some videos from around 1970 (world championship) that are great reference. The RF safety hubs came along at a later date. Most F8 cars were close to stock before 1975, like any other class they evolved.

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There's not much space between the floor and the transmission mount. Look how small the kit tyranny is. AMT wants you to install the engine on the frame and the floorboard goes on later. If you choose to glue the floor to the frame in order to paint as a unit (like I did), and install the engine after, you may have a problem. It's tight but a little filing of the mount was the answer for me. Your 3D transmission may be bigger and longer (and probably is). That may give you some re-engineering work to do. But that's why we do this, right?  The front suspension lacks precise joining of parts. The sway bar is wrong and the tie rod is a mystery.  The fun never ends ?. I built the Bel Air as a lead sled custom and didn't use the air ducts due to a V8 engine swap so I don't recall having trouble with the engine bay assembly. But I sure did this time. Again, the parts don't have a precise fit.   

 

[bobss396]

  On 12/14/2023 at 4:24 PM, customline said:

There's not much space between the floor and the transmission mount. Look how small the kit tyranny is. AMT wants you to install the engine on the frame and the floorboard goes on later. If you choose to glue the floor to the frame in order to paint as a unit (like I did), and install the engine after, you may have a problem. It's tight but a little filing of the mount was the answer for me. Your 3D transmission may be bigger and longer (and probably is). That may give you some re-engineering work to do. But that's why we do this, right?  The front suspension lacks precise joining of parts. The sway bar is wrong and the tie rod is a mystery.  The fun never ends ?. I built the Bel Air as a lead sled custom and didn't use the air ducts due to a V8 engine swap so I don't recall having trouble with the engine bay assembly. But I sure did this time. Again, the parts don't have a precise fit.   

 

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I expect to have to open up the floor a bit, once I get the 250, with the 4 speed, I'll have a better idea. So the pan and firewall will stay off for now. I have it posted in the NASCAR WIP forum. 

[customline]

  On 12/14/2023 at 4:56 PM, bobss396 said:

I expect to have to open up the floor a bit, once I get the 250, with the 4 speed, I'll have a better idea. So the pan and firewall will stay off for now. I have it posted in the NASCAR WIP forum. 

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Yeah, it's a whole interior re-do for a stock car. Stripped of upholstery,  skeletonized.