1967 Mercury Cyclone

[Swifster]

After a 30 year layoff from building model cars, I found 5 at a garage sale for $2. My skills as a teenager were nothing special, especially since I didn't have a lot of patience. I'm hoping time has allowed me more of this special commodity. I figured the best to learn with is the '67 Mercury Cyclone kit. The others are a little more detailed and this kit seems to be closer to the kits of my youth in the '70's.

Feel free to participate with suggestions as I plan on being a sponge. Constructive critiquing will be most welcome. There are many things I don't know and would like to learn. Back in the day, my glueing and painting were horrible and I hope I drastically improve since my childhood.

According to the instruction sheet, there are 16 steps towards building this car. I'll definitely update this at the end of each step. I'll probably also update (seek help and guidance ) more often than that. I've been reading the great 'Back to Basics' article and I've learned a lot. This should be a great learning experience and a lot of fun (and frustration ).

Here's the car...

This is the cover art. The kit was open...

But everything appears to still be wrapped inside the box.

And everything looks to be there.

(Dang Photobucket ^^^^^ )

I gave the parts a soapy bath and have washed everything clean. The second kit is a Tamaya VW Beetle. As the alternator is part of Step #1, I hit it with Easy Off to remove the chrome. That's the one old trick I remember from back in the day. I have a can of Tamaya semi-gloss black paint for chassis detailing. I still need to get some gray primer for the underside of the car.

Step one should be rather simple as it's just attaching the fan and alternator to the belt assembly. I have the paints for this, but I think I'll try thining the belts (I hope it doesn't break ). I'll be painting the fan and belt assembly with the semi-gloss, and detailing with flat black (belts), gold (alt pulley) and aluminum (alternator). I plan on making a alternator bracket (something I never did as a kid) out of a pop can when the time comes to attach the fan assembly and water pump to the engine. On a 390, the bracket bolts to the pump. I'm also going to order a pre-wired distributor for both the Merc and the Bug. Plenty of detail stuff to play with on the engine. In the meantime, hopefully I'll see the real deal (or a Fairlane, Mustang, etc.) with the same engine for pictures.

Thanks to anyone who follows along and thanks for any help and tips along the way.

Edited August 1, 2010 by Swifster

[diymirage]

looks like your off to a good start there

(not sure why it makes me want to eat chinese food though)

like you said patience is the name of the game but you'll get there

[nails3825]

I must be living in the wrong neighborhood... all the yardsales around here consist of baby clothes and cheap looking lampshades. Good luck on your build! I'll be watching your progress

[Swifster]

Well, I'm still painting engine pieces. I will say there is a lot more flashing and mold lines on the parts than I thought. I've been able to play with sanding these down and prepping for paint.

I did order the two MAD distributors the other day so I'm waiting for them to arrive.

I am deviating from the paint directions in the kit (aluminum intake & chrome valve covers). I found looking at real S-code 390's the the intake was painted blue like the rest of the engine. This isn't a problem. The valve covers really were chrome and the kit's are not (why not plate the covers?). I've decided that as this is just a project to get back into the swing of things, they'll be blue too. If this was going to be a show car, I'd by some Alclad or sent them out. Not on this car.

I do have a question for the masses. The fan, in mounting it to the fan belt assembly, is really rather loose. How can I 'fill' the hole so that the fit is tighter? I'm thinking of SG as a filler. Any suggestions?

[mediamonk]

Welcome back to the hobby. You'll like the MAD distributors. If you don't have one, get a pin vise to drill the really small holes in the engine for the plug wires. I think SG would work just fine as a filler. You could also use putty (Testors works for me for small holes), fill the hole, sand and re-drill it. Good luck.

[Chuck Most]

I must be living in the wrong neighborhood... all the yardsales around here consist of baby clothes and cheap looking lampshades. Good luck on your build! I'll be watching your progress

Heard that, James!

Tom- That's one of my favorite kits, I love '60's midsize Mercs, and this kit is a fairly good kit, detail wise. Great choice for returning to the hobby!