1982 Dodge Street Van

[mrmike]

My newest project, the 1982 Dodge Street Van. Even though the box says Rescue 911 Ambulance., I dipped into my parts box for the parts to make the Street Van. I will paint the van with Testors One Coat Lacquer Mystic Emerald with the custom interior painted a contrasting green. The engine will be wired and has been assembled and holes drilled in the distributor cap and the heads for the wires.

Edited April 20 by mrmike

[mrmike]

I painted the engine last night before turning in.  I added the valve covers, carb and wired distributor to the engine block this morning.

[Brenton]

Looking good so far. I love that lacquer from Testors. The green should look really nice on the van.

[mrmike]

I hope so, too Brenton!  

The wheels and tires are done and the engine is getting there. I just need to add the air cleaner and the ignition coil. I am probably going to far adding details the a van without an opening hood.

 

Edited April 23 by mrmike

[Valvefloat]

Groovy

[mrmike]

Thanks Alex!

I moved the oil filter to the other side of the engine block.

[mrmike]

These are the last pictures of the 360 engine that I am going to take. The engine is done and it is what it is.

[Valvefloat]

19 hours ago, mrmike said:

These are the last pictures of the 360 engine that I am going to take. The engine is done and it is what it is.

What it is, is a nicely detailed engine.

[mrmike]

Thanks Alex!  

[Leica007]

Always enjoy seeing vans come together, and your color choice is excellent.

[mrmike]

Thanks Lei!  Stay tuned, there will be more!

[mrmike]

I painted the Street Van yesterday and I had a very difficult time judging the nozzle on the Testors Lacquer can.  The Street Van is in the tub covered with Easy Off Oven Cleaner to remove the paint.

[Leica007]

Sorry to see that happen. "Keep on Truckin" it will work out.

[NOBLNG]

Looks like too heavy of a coat in one pass. I haven’t used a spray bomb in a while, but when I did I would start spraying off the model, make a brisk pass over it and stop after I’m past the model. Probably 6”-8” away and multiple light coats.

[mrmike]

On 5/9/2025 at 3:44 PM, NOBLNG said:

Looks like too heavy of a coat in one pass. I haven’t used a spray bomb in a while, but when I did I would start spraying off the model, make a brisk pass over it and stop after I’m past the model. Probably 6”-8” away and multiple light coats.

That is were my troubles began!  The trigger didn't react like it should and it sprayed very heavy.  Light coats?!!!  I wished!!!

[mrmike]

I removed most of the green metallic paint this morning. Now for a lot of sanding.

[slusher]

Mike I feel for you but I was using a can of flat Testors paint and in a light coat it was runny like water I can’t use Testors since it was bought out. I have some original cans when it’s gone that all be Tamiya and other brands. I will follow along. We have been friends a long Tim Mike back on Scale auto forum…

[mrmike]

Carl, I do remember you from the old days of the Scale Auto forum.  I wished they had at least kept the forum, but now that is gone like the magazine.   I remember a lot of the people from that forum, good and bad.  Since Testors was bought out by Rustoleum, you can't rely on their cans of paint for a long time or they start to leak.  Some don't and some do.  I only use half of a can or less of paint.  The president wants us to buy American, but how are we suppose to do that when the cans don't last that long?

[chryslerjunkandstuff]

10 hours ago, mrmike said:

Carl, I do remember you from the old days of the Scale Auto forum.  I wished they had at least kept the forum, but now that is gone like the magazine.   I remember a lot of the people from that forum, good and bad.  Since Testors was bought out by Rustoleum, you can't rely on their cans of paint for a long time or they start to leak.  Some don't and some do.  I only use half of a can or less of paint.  The president wants us to buy American, but how are we suppose to do that when the cans don't last that long?

You ain't wrong about em bein.. not great.. ever since they were bought out.. BUT, I feel like I should tell you about what happened to me when I got hold of a can of trash paint from em..

Went to spray a Moebius '65 Plymouth in some off-white color, paint came out of the nozzle full of dried up chunks of paint mixed with runny awful paint, then stopped entirely, and it WAS a brand new can too..

Anyway, called customer service and asked em what the hell was happening with my paint, and what was they gonna do about it..

They sent me a free replacement ENTIRE CASE of spray cans of that color, as well as a big bag of 50 or so new nozzles, FOR FREE, and I had it at my door in TWO DAYS..

Replacement paint went on like velvet..

SO, their customer service is 100% on-point..

Overall, not great, but far from terrible..

[mrmike]

Let me tell you about an incident I had with Rustoleum.  I went and pulled a brand new can of Hemi Orange spray paint from my paint drawer and it was completely empty of propellant.  No leakage I found.  I sent a note to Rustoleum and received a 3 pack of Hemi Orange spray paint about a week after I went out and bought a new can of spray paint..   Then I read the notice about Testors/Model Master paint was going away.  The president wants us to buy American, but superior product comes from overseas. 

Edited May 22 by mrmike

[mrmike]

There is something missing from this kit! No cross member to hold the exhaust system up. Plus there are no radiator hoses for cooling. Lucky I have some extras in my parts box!

[mrmike]

I scratch-built a cross member for my Street Van. Next are radiator hoses.

[mrmike]

The radiator hoses are on. If this is the wrong positions, too bad! Now I can concentrate on the body.

[Leica007]

Here's a tip for radiator hoses t.\hat I use a lot.  You know those strechy black cords that come on shoes and other things; they're flexible, look ribbed, come in different diameters, and they are free.  If you dip in glue/super glue right after cutting, they don't fray. Plus if you use super glue they attach in seconds.

Looking forward to seeing more.

[Perspect Scale Modelworks]

On 5/9/2025 at 12:26 PM, mrmike said:

I painted the Street Van yesterday and I had a very difficult time judging the nozzle on the Testors Lacquer can.  The Street Van is in the tub covered with Easy Off Oven Cleaner to remove the paint.

I recently had very similar results from a can of Testors.