Jantrix Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 (edited) I think we've been over the common building do's and dont's enough like mold lines, ejector marks, etc. But lets go over the mistakes folks make mechanically speaking, usually out of ignorance. Not all of us are mechanically inclined when it comes to automobiles (speaking for myself certainly.). So I figured we should compile a list of mistakes folks make that make a build, "not mechanically possible" or "no mechanic would do it this way". Once of the most famous here on MCM, is floating alternators. I've learned accessory brackets are very easily made from beading pins flattened, cut and bent into shape. Another and a major peeve for me is huge tires tucked under so that front wheels could never turn. Drives me nuts, especially when the rest of the vehicle is high quality. Also, you would be surprised how many contest judges will call this a no-go. Go ahead and add more that you have seen, but lets try to keep personal tastes on car types out of it, or else we'll end up with another donk bashing thread. Edited June 22, 2013 by Jantrix
Deano Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 . Another one that come to mind is spark plug wires running over the valve cover to reach the plugs. Only engines with spark plugs in the top of the head would do this. Everything else would run them around the outside of the valve cover so the valve cover could still be removed without disconnecting the wires. . You mean like vintage Chevy Big Blocks with wire separators welded to the valve covers? Personally, I'd rather have the wires over the top instead of laying on the headers; but that's just me.
Guest Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 Thanks Deano, I was just going to mention that! A picture is worth a thousand words!
signguy2108 Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 Plug wires over the valve covers was pretty much the norm on early 70's hotrods. Ran them over the covers and into looms bolted to the valve covers. As stated, keep them off the headers.
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 Having the wheels end up NOT in the center of the wheel openings really gets me. I mean, come on. Frames and engines dragging the ground where the model ISN'T supposed to represent a bagger is another one. Engines installed at odd angles that would instantly shred universal joints, tires rubbing on fenders that would positively slit them wide open, and impossible suspension setups that have zero basis in reality are others. Oh yeah, and roll-cages and bars that are as big as sewer pipes, with no thought for scale diameter...not even close. Throwing Chevy valve covers on an obviously NON-Chevy engine, completely disregarding intake manifold and exhaust port spacing, and getting 4-header pipes coming out of the sides of flathead Ford engines (which only have 3) are some more
Dragfreak Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 (edited) . Throwing Chevy valve covers on an obviously NON-Chevy engine, completely disregarding intake manifold and exhaust port spacing, and getting 4-header pipes coming out of the sides of flathead Ford engines (which only have 3) are some more That's a big one for me when people disregard port spacing when kitbashing and throw BBC headers on a SBC Edited June 22, 2013 by Dragfreak
Jantrix Posted June 22, 2013 Author Posted June 22, 2013 A picture is worth a thousand words! You are sooo right! Just because something has been done in the automotive world, doesn't mean it was always done or done for very long. There are are plenty of ways to keep your wires off the manifolds without going over the valve covers. Most every manufacturer found a way. But feel free to be argumentive if it makes you happy.
JunkPile Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 What really bothers me the most is when gaskets are not properly seated and the model leaks fluids all over the contest tables.
lordairgtar Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 Jantrix, that is pretty much an aftermarket engine you are showing. Custom bits to direct the wires around the head in a neat manner is awesome, but it still is not the way it was done on the assembly line. Owned many a Chevrolet and they all had wires going over the valve cover...except for the inline six...LOL
Jantrix Posted June 22, 2013 Author Posted June 22, 2013 (edited) Very well. I did some checking. I was incorrect in this matter. I have edited my original post. Edited June 23, 2013 by Jantrix
Dennis Lacy Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 I didn't think scale mechanical fidelity was important? I was under the impression that as long as the model is jam-packed with stuff and shiny paint that it's good enough for the girls we go with? Now that I know accuracy is important to some people, I need to re-think my approach.
blunc Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 most car makers with very few exceptions routed spark plug wires over the valve covers unless the exhaust manifolds were upswept from the exhaust ports like some mopars and ford y-blocks. my six years of experience in a tune-up shop is how I know this, I've had my hands on about fifteen to twenty thousand cars. the "rivets" I count are: improper custom driveshaft installation, the u-joints need to be positioned correctly improper fuel line/linkage placements on engines, if you can make it to this forum then you should be able to find pictures of how linkage and fuel lines are mounted/attached upper radiator hoses but no lower radiator hoses missing power brake booster vacuum line, if you're gonna run brake lines...how about adding the booster vacuum line also? door/trunk/hood hinges that have not changed since the 1960's, I have the magazines to prove it. (and the tooth picks to hold said hoods/trunks open)
highway Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 I'm surprised that with all the BBC comments so far, no body mentioned putting them on upside down! I've seen that more times than I can remember.
zenrat Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 I didn't think scale mechanical fidelity was important? I was under the impression that as long as the model is jam-packed with stuff and shiny paint that it's good enough for the girls we go with? Now that I know accuracy is important to some people, I need to re-think my approach. I only go with girls who are qualified engineers and experienced model builders. It's a lonely life... I rarely add the lower radiator hose as it's often not visible from above (rods excepted). I also never add the interior rear view mirror on closed cars. Lack of darkened panel gaps bugs me as does decals crossing said gaps uninterrupted and a failure to do anything with the window trim. All faults i've seen on a supposedly "Great Model" in the centrefold of a model car mag that rhymes with Ale Scorto. Uprated engines whilst retaining the original rear axle. And i'm surprised no-one has mentioned incorrect firing order. Rat rods in general also irritate me. Both in scale and in 1:1. However, the most glaring "error" is readily accepted by pretty much every builder - scale thickness. If we were really going for accuracy we'd be shaving down the edges of all body openings to wafer thin proportions. So much so that even breathing on the thing would cause it's collapse. And don't get me started on the thickness of the windows...
Tom Geiger Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 Wow! I thought I had commented on this thread but my post isn't there... Peeves... guys using doll house accessories (1/12 scale) on models and dioramas.. Since junkers and beaters are my area... builders who rust out cars in places the real car would never rust. For instance I remember a '57 Chevy that was rusted through on the center of the roof, but the places the cars actually rusted, like the tops of the headlights were pristine. Do some research, it's pretty easy today with the Internet. Dioramas with tires and rims sitting on the ground with the lug nuts still on them. Junkers with missing front and back windows but the chrome surround that holds in said window is still intact. And the biggie... junkers being offered for sale on eBay that are nothing more than an old built up some kid built a long time ago that the opportunist has smeared a bit of mud and red primer on, including on the glass and interior and calling them PRO BUILT junk yard relics. That just cheapens the art of those of us who do it right!
PowerPlant Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 Incorrect firing order of ignition wires on the distributor...
blunc Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 (edited) I like to start my firing order on #8, even if it's a 4 cylinder. Edited June 23, 2013 by blunc
southpier Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 Peeves... guys using doll house accessories ...... i'm with you homie
philo426 Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 Right on Festus!dumping on the less skilled so one may feel superior reveals bad character flaws!It is supposed to be fun after all!
heinz74 Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 i agree...but there are a lot of kit's out there that aren't realistic even when built boxstockcheck out the rideheight on the new Shelby mustangs..that's not right ..is it?some things are virtually impossible to fit ,like radiatorhoses and such..and another example..those 3/1 kits of the past..'strip' option with a blower and stock exhaust headers?..4 speed on the floor..but the kit doesen't come with a clutch pedal..floating alternators..decals for a small block Chevy airfilter saying '396',paint codes in the instructions that never end up looking like the real thingit's not always the builders fault..and if you don't know any better
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 (edited) Right on Festus!dumping on the less skilled so one may feel superior reveals bad character flaws!It is supposed to be fun after all! Nobody's dumping on the "less skilled", just the lazy. The original object of the thread was, I believe (correct me if I'm wrong, Jantrix) to point out GLARING mechanical errors on models that even a first time novice builder CAN AVOID by paying attention, instead of being offended. Skill comes with practice and experience, but it also comes as a result of CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM and guidance from those of us who've been there, done that. If YOU or anyone else WANTS to build toy cars that couldn't possibly function in 1:1, and you think that's fun, you have every right, I defend your choice, and I hope you enjoy it fully. If, on the other hand, you want to build MODEL cars that represent how things work in objective reality (which I personally think is fun) then this thread can help to achieve the goal of BEING A BETTER MODELER. Edited June 23, 2013 by Ace-Garageguy
Ace-Garageguy Posted June 23, 2013 Posted June 23, 2013 it's not always the builders fault..and if you don't know any better Which was the whole purpose of this thread....NOT TO PICK on anyone, but to HELP THEM TO KNOW BETTER. If novice builders have pointed out to them obvious things to avoid, it's better, right ??
Jantrix Posted June 23, 2013 Author Posted June 23, 2013 Which was the whole purpose of this thread....NOT TO PICK on anyone, but to HELP THEM TO KNOW BETTER. If novice builders have pointed out to them obvious things to avoid, it's better, right ?? This was my intent with this thread. To educate those without intimate mechanical knowledge how things are supposed to work if was 1:1.
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