Autocar Rebuild Update

[SpreadAxle]

It's been awhile since I've taken a min to work on this one. mainly been trying to keep my 1/1 scale Flatbed KW alive. To those who didn't see the original post, this is the Autocar Dump Truck chassis by AMT. I built it 10 years ago as a logger with an AMT Peerless log trailer to match. the cab was Model Master Classic Black with the kit stripes. I'm rebuilding it as it has suffered from moving several times. It will now be pulling a triaxle dump trailer. The details shown were here the first time around. Modifications include: rear fenders from Monogram Snap KW Aerodyne, air brake details, detailed Cummins NTA 370(turbo charger and aftercooler from Diamond Reo Kit), Main/aux trans setup from KW alaskan hauler, and will include a wet kit to operate the dump trailer. I had the fuel lines to the tanks including crossover, air brake lines, luberfiner lines were done, and power steering lines will be added.

Today, the frame has been repainted, wheels installed, and fenders mounted. color of frame is testors #1208 Light blue. the weathering when I get to it will be modest. i want to appear to be a 3 or 4 yr old truck that gets washed and taken care of, but you can tell it is driven and worked.

[Old Albion]

Ray,

This looks great. Like the airline details and the blue paint, looks very effective.

[mackinac359]

Nice plumbing.

Tim

[SpreadAxle]

This is a combination of the info listed in Phil Jensen's "Building Model Trucks"(or as I call it the Bible) referring to detailing the lines on the Ford LN's, and a article that appeared in Car Modeler's detailing model trucks column. In Fact, It was that column's first article. The kit brakes are the wedge type brakes, like the Ford kits. I'll have some pix to post in a little bit. Think I'm going to hang the fuel tanks and install the engine tonight. thanks for looking

[SpreadAxle]

Here are the first shots of the trailer for this truck. This is the mid 70's Ertl issue. The frame rails were warped outward, but gluin/clamping seems to have straightened them out. The frame will be black. Aluminum colored box. I'm debating and would like your opinions on this. I may make a second trailer for this truck to make it a Michigan train. I can't decide. :roll: Either way, I think converting it to a dump tractor was a good move.

[Old Albion]

Ray,

Progress looks good so far. With regards to colour, maybe the frame the same blue as the Autocar with the aluminium body. Either way it looks like it will turn out great.

Have Fun

[SpreadAxle]

that's an idea Dave. That's the way the Peerless logging trailer it originally pulled was painted. Light blue with black log bunks. that's an idea I will consider.

[Guest zebm1]

Kool toolz Ray......I have a question. What iz tha actual Model #/designation of tha Cummins twin-turbo in tha Revell Peterbuilt 359? I have been searching tha web for pics, but am having tha Devil's own sweet time finding reference photos.

Besides tha common detailing features and since mine is going into a Semi-Indy racetruck, I want to be able to define which parts to Alclad chrome...such as tha turbos, exhaust manifolds, etc.

TIA,

Zeb

ps; tha biggest engines I have evah worked on is tha 7 litre type passenger car types, Fords, Mopars annn...shudder Chubbys.

[Old Albion]

Zeb,

The Cummins twin Turbo Charged Engine in the Revell Peterbilt 359 is an NTC 475. See the link below.

http://www.dieselenginemotor.com/diesel/engines/27,1.html

Hope this helps!

[Guest zebm1]

Thanks Dave, am curious tho...says 475 HP @ 2,100 rpm. What's tha RedLine on this engine?

[Old Albion]

Zeb,

Not sure what it red lines at but it wont be much more than 2100 RPM. You will need to check in the Cummins manual for this or look at a tacho in a truck with the same engine. (Not sure if all Cummins 855 cu in engines red line at the same RPM)

Sorry I cann't be of any more help.

[Guest zebm1]

I wonder what a Cummins NTC 475 would redline at, racing at Indy? :roll:

zeb

[rottin1]

Excellent work!! Can't wait to see some pics of the cab sitting on the frame. Nice work on the dump body as well. What color you thinking for the cab and fenders anyways? Looking really good and keep the pics coming!!

[SpreadAxle]

That is an NTC 475, but diesels don't like it when you get beyond 2,200-2,500 RPM. When they runaway(overrev), you need to get as far away as possible. they will explode. As for my paintjob, it's Testors Classic Black the brown and blue stripes that come with Autocar Dump Truck kit. I will have that repainted soon.

[SpreadAxle]

I spent monday evening stripping the old paint off the cab/hood/fenders. I thought I still had a can of Testors Classic Black, but I don't, so I'll just be going with a gloss black, and either the kit striping again, or I also have a KFS pinstripes and scrolls decal sheet that is about the color of the frame. May do a little of both. I used Polly S ELO(Easy Lift Off) and this stuff works great. Although if left on too long, some parts will have a spiderweb cracking much like a windshield when hit, but a little putty and sanding will cure that. I'll have the painted pix on here soon. Thanks for watching guys. It's making me keep on going.

[SpreadAxle]

I do remember that to get the torque on most diesels 20-30 yrs ago and beyond, you had to be in the 1,800-2,100 rpm range. "lugging" the engine at lower rpms was a BIG NO NO. the bossman would get mad if you lugged it. But, nowadays, your torque is in the 1,200-1,450 rpm range, so you are encouraged to operate @lower rpms. I know mine is governed to 1,800 rpm, but in top gear(13 speed and 3.55 rears) that is still 85mph roughly. Hey, I had to know what my new toy could do! 8) LOL. But I keep near the speed limit, which is 70 in most of the states I run. My old engine would go up to 2,200 rpm, but with a 3.70 rear axle ratio and a 10 spd, it needed some rpm to get those higher speeds, but it was a '98 Cummins N14, so the torque was in the lower rpm. I don't drive very fast, but when no one's looking, I do like to see what it will do at least once if the road is empty. 8)

[Old Albion]

Ray,

Interesting observations. One important thing to remember is that diesel engines are normally more fuel efficient running aroung their peak torque output. With the price of diesel nowadays you can see why its very important when looking at your overall operating costs. To give you an idea what Diesel costs in the UK. It costs £ 0.939 per litre last time I filled up. One US gallon is 3.78541 litres. Thats £ 3.55 a US gallon or (3.55 x $ 1.977) = $ 7.01 a US Gallon. Yeah, operating a truck in Britain is expensive!!

[SpreadAxle]

WOW DAVE. how do they afford it? Is most of the price taxes?

[Old Albion]

Quite right Ray. They reckon on 70 to 80% of the price of diesel is tax. We all have our cross to bear!! :x

Good Luck with the Build

[SpreadAxle]

That's incredible Dave! Are you a driver yourself?

[Old Albion]

My profession is an Engineer and we are always hiring in trucks particularly with a Hiab type crane for on site work. Due to the cost of hiring I'm considering buying our own truck but haven't come to any definate conclusions yet.

I have my vocational license to drive a Semi Truck and I also have my Certificate of Professional Competence in both National and International Haulage. In the UK by Law You need someone in your truck company who is a CPC holder just to be able to apply for a truck operators license. Don't even think about buying a truck until you have a CPC Holder. Thats just the start of the application. Once you complete the application its down to the Traffic Commissioner to decide whether you are fit to have an Operators License or not. The penalties for failure to comply can be severe. No Operators License No Operation.

You also have to have a license to operate a Hiab or self loading crane. I passed the course last week.

My Dad used to drive a truck and my Brother in law drives a truck. I,ve always been interested in trucks, trailers, diesel engines, steam engines, earth movers, machinery in general. Anyways I think I've gone on for long enough good luck with build, keep us posted with progress.

Best Wishes

[SpreadAxle]

Sounds like you have to jump through a lot of hoops.

[Turbo590]

Ray,

Nice "old" rebuild. Can't wait to see more progress. Please keep us all updated.

Kurt McLucas

[SpreadAxle]

Thanks Turbo. I've been following the progress on that Petermonster you're building. This Autocar was my favorite model of all I've done. I have 2 more teenage builds to restore, which include the very first truck I ever built. Progress has slowed somewhat, but the cab is stripped and ready to be primed. I just have to find a good way to make the headliner. that's what's on Ray's drawing board at present.

[SpreadAxle]

Incidentally, it's official. This will be pulling a "michigan Train". I grabbed 2 more dump trailer kits from the basement while I was home this weekend. I with the leftovers, I can at least begin 2 other projects. I'm going to shorten the second trailer the same way Tim did to his Michigan train, making it a "pup".