Revell 1984 Olds 442

[charlie8575]

Re: Kit body issues.

I took a look at mine- closely.

All my corners lined up, the roof isn't smushed, and I don't have any visible short-shot. 

The QA lapses are disturbing.

Charlie Larkin

[niteowl7710]

Re: Kit body issues.

I took a look at mine- closely.

All my corners lined up, the roof isn't smushed, and I don't have any visible short-shot. 

The QA lapses are disturbing.

Charlie Larkin

I forgot to mention mine is also missing the passenger's side mirror insert off the chrome runner straight out of the shrink wrap. 

[charlie8575]

I forgot to mention mine is also missing the passenger's side mirror insert off the chrome runner straight out of the shrink wrap. 

Haven't opened the chrome. I'll check mine later.

Charlie Larkin

[niteowl7710]

Haven't opened the chrome. I'll check mine later.

Charlie Larkin

I didn't open it either, but mine came in a handy clear bag I could see through  

[charlie8575]

I didn't open it either, but mine came in a handy clear bag I could see through  

Less chrome than I thought. I usually have to go digging, clear bag or not, to see what's there.

Yep, got both my mirrors, too. 

I say again...someone at Revell's packing and QA checkpoints is asleep on the job.

Charlie Larkin

[Bob Ellis]

The '78 El Cam is 1/24, but it might work.

The Turbo T/A V6 would require a new intake and such. 

While I suppose it is conceivable a 229 Chevy might have ended up in a few Cutlasses (production scheduling or something similar,) the Chevy V6 would be completely wrong, at least for U.S.-spec cars. I don't know if the Canadian cars had 229s or 231s. 

Charlie Larkin

The chevy v6 was .75X350 much bigger engine. I was thing of cutting a 1965 Riviera V8 to 75% problem is it's a nailhead

the AMT ERTL Somona has the 4.3 V6 not 231ci and it's a tuned port 

[charlie8575]

The chevy v6 was .75X350 much bigger engine. I was thing of cutting a 1965 Riviera V8 to 75% problem is it's a nailhead

the AMT ERTL Somona has the 4.3 V6 not 231ci and it's a tuned port 

Actually, there were three displacements of small-block-based Chevy V6.

1978-79: 200 cubic inch (VIN M,) used in Malibus and I think Monzas. "Gutless wonder" is being polite. I think they were 98 HP.

1980-84: 229 cubic inch (VIN K,) used in RWD A/G, B and 1980-81 F bodies, and some C/K-series trucks. These used 305 internals. 

1985-2013: 262 cubic inch that everyone knows and loves. I think one variant was carbureted, the others were all EFI of one type or another. These used 350 internals.

The 2014-up engine is based on the LS-series engine. 

There is one other source for a Buick V6 that's a nice engine: the Jeepseter Commando. You'd have to cobble up the smog equipment, but 90% of what you need is there.

I do agree it's time for a new malaise-era Buick V6. As much as nobody really wants to admit it, it's a very significant milestone in American automotive history. 

Charlie Larkin

[ranma]

I Think that the 442 will be the next one to be done of this kit, sometime next year maybe?

[Rob Hall]

I Think that the 442 will be the next one to be done of this kit, sometime next year maybe?

That's the rumor I've seen...'85 442 w/ optional FE3-X verison..hopefully they will do an '84 Hurst/Olds also.

[ranma]

All I can say by the email that I had gotten from revell stated that a Flat hood version maybe in the works for next year.

[1972coronet]

 

There is one other source for a Buick V6 that's a nice engine: the Jeepseter Commando. You'd have to cobble up the smog equipment, but 90% of what you need is there.

Charlie Larkin

The 225 "Odd-Fire" V6 found its way into Oldsmobile A-bodies through 1964-1965 . Its nomenclature was Econo-Way ; a 'relabelled' Buick 225 .

[Chuck Kourouklis]

The Fiero had the 2.8 V6 which IIRC was a 60 degree engine design while the 3.8 V6 is a 90 degree engine design (think small block V8 minus 2 cylinders) and would differ in appearance slightly in scale. A closer match might be the 4.3 V6 from the Revell S10 kit, but that kit would be fuel injected.

Might be time for someone to cast a 3.8 V6 !

Yup - reason I pointed out MPC put an optional V6 in the kit before the actual Chevy V6 hit the market is 'cause I wondered if MPC anticipated the 2.8, conjectured the Buick, or just did up some generic V6.

Actually picked an original '84-issue kit up not long ago, should pull it down and have a look-see.  Considered the S10 and the Syclone as well - maybe the S10 induction could pass.  Only kit I can imagine with the 3.8 in 1/25 is the AMT Anniversary Turbo Firebird, if they actually did up the engine.  Used to know one way or the other, 'round a quarter-century ago... 

[Rob Hall]

  Only kit I can imagine with the 3.8 in 1/25 is the AMT Anniversary Turbo Firebird, if they actually did up the engine.  Used to know one way or the other, 'round a quarter-century ago... 

I believe it does have the 3.8...I have an unbuilt one in my stash, but I can't recall..

[1972coronet]

The Anniversary Trans Am kit (silver 1979 version , originally from MPC) has a 301 cube V8 .

The Grand National / GNX and its 3.8 litre / 231 cube V6 (and accompanying TH-200-4R) , the 1989 Trans Am Pace Car , and the Cyclone / Typhoon (was the latter ever kitted ?) were the only kits with the 3.8 litre engine . Not sure if the 4.3 litre V6 would pass as a Buick engine , as the 4.3 was a 'chopped' 350 Chevy V8 .

[Rob Hall]

The Anniversary Trans Am kit (silver 1979 version , originally from MPC) has a 301 cube V8 .

The Grand National / GNX and its 3.8 litre / 231 cube V6 (and accompanying TH-200-4R) , the 1989 Trans Am Pace Car , and the Cyclone / Typhoon (was the latter ever kitted ?) were the only kits with the 3.8 litre engine . Not sure if the 4.3 litre V6 would pass as a Buick engine , as the 4.3 was a 'chopped' 350 Chevy V8 .

Wrong anniversary....the discussion was about the '89 20th anniversary Trans Am, which had a turbo Buick V6.  This kit: http://www.firebirdgallery.com/Model Images/3rd Gen/89gtamd11.1.jpg

Edited May 17, 2016 by Rob Hall

[dshue76]

The Anniversary Trans Am kit (silver 1979 version , originally from MPC) has a 301 cube V8 .

The Grand National / GNX and its 3.8 litre / 231 cube V6 (and accompanying TH-200-4R) , the 1989 Trans Am Pace Car , and the Cyclone / Typhoon (was the latter ever kitted ?) were the only kits with the 3.8 litre engine . Not sure if the 4.3 litre V6 would pass as a Buick engine , as the 4.3 was a 'chopped' 350 Chevy V8 .

The 4.3 L is just a Chevy 350 minus 2 cylinders. All SBC accessories mount to them. Tomorrow if I think about it I will see how the 3.8 from the GN looks in the Cutlass. A hot air turbo 3.8 would be the only way to make power from the lump of cast iron that robbed a boat anchor of it's existence. 110 HP I think was an over estimate. 

Edited May 17, 2016 by dshue76

[1972coronet]

Wrong anniversary....the discussion was about the '89 20th anniversary Trans Am, which had a turbo Buick V6.  This kit: http://www.firebirdgallery.com/Model Images/3rd Gen/89gtamd11.1.jpg

My mistake . If I'd recognised that it was the 20th Anniversary version , then ... yeah

Edited May 17, 2016 by 1972coronet

[charlie8575]

The 4.3 L is just a Chevy 350 minus 2 cylinders. All SBC accessories mount to them. Tomorrow if I think about it I will see how the 3.8 from the GN looks in the Cutlass. A hot air turbo 3.8 would be the only way to make power from the lump of cast iron that robbed a boat anchor of it's existence. 110 HP I think was an over estimate. 

I would tend to agree. 

Although, driven right, it would perform okay- decent low-speed torque. 

Charlie Larkin

[echoxrayniner]

So in regards to the kit, are there a whole bunch of decal instructions missing or is it just me? Noticed the (its so tiny I can't tell for sure but I think)shifter decal and the steering wheel one long after I put the thing together, also some in the engine bay I reckon. Also man I'm glad they segmented the stripes, they're hard enough to set decently even if they're an inch long.

Edited May 20, 2016 by echoxrayniner
Spelling is hard

[Bob Ellis]

Less chrome than I thought. I usually have to go digging, clear bag or not, to see what's there.

Yep, got both my mirrors, too. 

I say again...someone at Revell's packing and QA checkpoints is asleep on the job.

Charlie Larkin

Probably texting . That is what I saw in a Bejing factory

[charlie8575]

Probably texting . That is what I saw in a Bejing factory

Oh brother. On the other hand, it's refreshing to see Americans aren't the only ones with short attention spans. 

Charlie Larkin

[dshue76]

So in regards to the kit, are there a whole bunch of decal instructions missing or is it just me? Noticed the (its so tiny I can't tell for sure but I think)shifter decal and the steering wheel one long after I put the thing together, also some in the engine bay I reckon. Also man I'm glad they segmented the stripes, they're hard enough to set decently even if they're an inch long.

I think one of the decals you are refering to is a dash plaque. 

[echoxrayniner]

I think one of the decals you are refering to is a dash plaque. 

Yep... You're correct, and thanks actually! The images I used to try to replicate the interior were from a second hand Olds from eBay that had the hell beaten out of the interior.

All of the decals that need to go to the interior besides the dials are actually never mentioned in the instructions, kinda annoying they messed up there.

Edited May 24, 2016 by echoxrayniner

[Bob Ellis]

The 225 "Odd-Fire" V6 found its way into Oldsmobile A-bodies through 1964-1965 . Its nomenclature was Econo-Way ; a 'relabelled' Buick 225 .

Wasn't one of the V6s a "FIREBALL V6"?

[1972coronet]

Wasn't one of the V6s a "FIREBALL V6"?

That was Buick's name for the 225 V6 . This is the same engine , but in an Olds F85 .

Edited May 28, 2016 by 1972coronet