bobss396 Posted May 17, 2024 Posted May 17, 2024 This has been kicking around for a few months. I had wanted to do a build with all the MPC kit issues resolved. 1. The engine needs to be set back around 5/16". What I realized on this one was, a similar amount had to be added in front of the motor mounts, or the tires are too close to the headers 2. The kit cage is junk. So I kit bashed this one. I will move it to the left so the seat fits better. 3. The rear springs need a lot of work too. I used some from Ron Coon Resins and made perches from 1/8" square tube. The too-big axle tube was replaced with 1/8" tubing. Now the springs mount from the bottom. 4. The kit floor pan is very tight for the engine set back. I grafted in a partial pan from my junkyard. I squared off the floor pan to fit the coupe body 5. The headers are almost not worth messing with. I added about .100" to the tube lengths, something that needs to get done with the Vega and Pinto as the bodies are wider. I have a couple here to look at, also Ron Coon and VCG Resins have something worth a look. Other things, the transmission cradle also has to move. The kit coil overs are crude, I make my own from .120" diameter springs. I still have to do the back ones. I'm working on this a little at a time. Next will be the rear coil overs and mounts. That bar over the rear end makes the installation difficult. I may use a stud at the top The side rails always fight with the headers. I may have to make those too. 4
Volzfan59 Posted May 17, 2024 Posted May 17, 2024 I will enjoy this one @bobss396. Thank you for sharing your work from the start of a project for folks like me that are returning to the hobby to see. 1
bobss396 Posted May 18, 2024 Author Posted May 18, 2024 Thanks all. I like the kits but I hate them too. I grew up with these cars at the race tracks and it pains me to see what people will settle for. This is my 5th build since around 2011 of them. I did an AMT '37 Chevy body on one, the Pinto and Vega recently and a '36 Richie Evans coupe as a consignment (deals with the devil) for a good modeling friend. I tried a lot of new things on that build. I went through my 3D printed header stash and have a couple that may be workable on this build. I'll have to extend the header tubes and see how well it plays with the side rub rails. It may be time to start making my own rails from brass tubing, the kit ones are another struggle. Ron Coon also has 2 sets of big block headers I would like to pick up. Another option is solder, but all I have is .062" and anything else is too fat. The solder also droops in long lengths. I have also been eyeballing a 427 Ford engine I built for another build. The generic engine that comes with the kit (could be built as a Chevy or Ford) is fairly ambiguous. I had a set of injectors made up for a previous build, but had problems plumbing them up to look realistic. I picked up some other injectors, one nicer one from 3D Scale Parts that may be workable. 1
Rescued customs Posted January 30 Posted January 30 Those valve covers are epic I want a set for a few drag cars love them
bobss396 Posted January 30 Author Posted January 30 1 hour ago, Rescued customs said: Those valve covers are epic I want a set for a few drag cars love them Possibly from VCG Resins. Most other 3D parts I find on eBay. I have to get back on this. I ran into am issue with the rear partition or firewall location. The kit headers are a horror show. I have a few sets on order from Ron Coon Resins.
bobss396 Posted February 4 Author Posted February 4 Ok... the Future Mod is back. I got disgusted with botching up the body to chassis fit.. BACK IN THE BOX! I decided to try some new Ron Coon Resins parts on it. Last night I was able to get the body in a good location. I used some styrene angle and pinned it 2 places along the rockers. This is one of my major dislikes with the kit. The disc brakes (not shown, just been primed) are from Ron Coon and fit inside the wheel backs. Next up is to add a ledge to the firewall to make fitting the "glass" easier. I have to fix the battery box, or make it modular to install the battery/box as a single unit. Then I have to pin the transmission to the crossmember, the Muncie is a VCG Resins piece. I may try to improve the front motor mounts. I don't want the engine coming loose. I have a few headers to choose from.
bobss396 Posted February 5 Author Posted February 5 Now the body sits straight, goes back together the same way every time. I'm doing some bars and having 2 ends with a compound angle makes it harder. I now make the bars in 2 pieces. Get the angled ends right. Cut the other ends that meet square. Now you can index the ends, glue the middle. Rear kicker bars are up next. More fun since the cage is offset to the left. Which was common on modifieds. The kit does not give a ton of room as it is, even worse with the floor pan left stock.
bobss396 Posted February 5 Author Posted February 5 Calling the cage DONE. The rear kickers are 2 pieces, the upper pieces are pinned to the lower, to be installed at assembly. Ron Coon disc brakes are complete and look good. I had to remove material from the caliper top to get them about 1/2 way into the wheels.
bobss396 Posted February 6 Author Posted February 6 The things you think of at 4:30 am when the cat wants to play. I was looking for a decent steering box for this build. I don't want to Crack another kit open. So I made a couple. I'm not sure if it will fit... but these are prototypes. I used 1/8" plastruct square stock that has a center hole. Some 3/32" and 1/16" aluminum tubing and a craft jewel, a 1/32" pin to hold it to the chassis. I got them in primer right now. 1
bobss396 Posted February 6 Author Posted February 6 13 minutes ago, Vettegasser said: Really liking where this is headed. Nice job Thanks. The steering box came to me in the wee hours. I had it designed in my head by the time I got up.
bobss396 Posted February 7 Author Posted February 7 Steering boxes, what fun! I took those craft jewels off, cut the heads off of some Woodpile mini nails are used those. The pitman shaft comes out for adjustments. Patched the gaps on the floor pan, reattached the battery box. The body needed material added to the driver side wheel well. The body was out of symmetry by .090". I made a longer oil filter, much better. 4 speed again is from VCG Resins. That will be pinned in place. The kit headers are about as good as they are gonna be. I have a set of Ron Coon headers I extended the tubed on. I have flanges made up. Hanging pedals are parts box items. Shocks are complete, the fronts will use 3/64" brass rod to locate. Front spindles are pinned, ready for the disc brakes. I have a pretty long laundry list that I'm slowly getting through. Next up is a full test of the headers and rub rails.
bobss396 Posted Tuesday at 04:42 PM Author Posted Tuesday at 04:42 PM Plug wires are done. Distributor is homemade. Plug boots are some mil-spec wire that was discarded at work. Outer diameter is .045" and it slips over the wires easily. 2
Rattlecan Dan Posted yesterday at 01:40 AM Posted yesterday at 01:40 AM Some really nice work going on here. Should be a great build at completion. 1
bobss396 Posted 18 hours ago Author Posted 18 hours ago 10 hours ago, Rattlecan Dan said: Some really nice work going on here. Should be a great build at completion. Thanks, I'm hoping so. These are kits with many flaws and shortcomings. I see too many built box stock-ish on the contest tables. I grew up watching the real coupes, Pintos and Vegas race.
Vettegasser Posted 15 hours ago Posted 15 hours ago This kits are simplistic. But they can be done up really cool. Still some of favorites. You’re doing a nice job on this one. Just like the others you did really great 2
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