mrmike Posted August 10, 2014 Posted August 10, 2014 I had reached the conclusion that the engine in this kit is a 428 FE engine instead of the Boss 302 as stated on the box art and the instructions. This engine is comparable in size with the 428 CI engine in the Revell '69 Mustang Mach I Cobra Jet. I am building this kit as a standard Cougar with the 428 Super Cobra Jet engine. The wheels come courtesy of Classic Plastic Model Club member Barry Fadden aka Mr. Prestigious. The wheels are the factory issue optional Styled Steel wheels. My paint is Testors #1628 Gloss Orange aka Competition Orange courtesy of Classic Plastic Model Club member John Davison. I have already started on some bodywork by filling in the holes on the trunk lid for the spoiler, removing mold lines and flash. I still need to fit the front valance panel to the body. More to come...
MeatMan Posted August 10, 2014 Posted August 10, 2014 I've always loved big block Cougars. I've seen that engine issue before with AMT. Have fun!
Bob Ellis Posted August 10, 2014 Posted August 10, 2014 I believe those wheels are the stamped steel Cougar wheels. Something happened to the 302 engine after ERTL did two versions of the Cougar in the '90s. Somebody may understand the story better than me.
ChrisPflug Posted August 11, 2014 Posted August 11, 2014 The Cleveland engine isn't that much smaller than the FE in real life- having one slightly large in scale and the other a little small can easily make them the "same size" in plastic LOL Believe all the older versions of the AMT Cougar used a "428" and XR-7 trim- the Boss 302 was tooled up for the ERTL "Eliminator" versions- whether or not it's sized accurately is another story
Bob Ellis Posted August 11, 2014 Posted August 11, 2014 Originally in 1969, this kit had "390" on the fenders and as said earlier, XR7 trim.
mrmike Posted August 12, 2014 Author Posted August 12, 2014 The standard engine in the Eliminator was a 351 2 bbl. with the 4 bbl., 428 CI, and the Boss 302 optional. My info came from a '69 Cougar Eliminator owner and expert. My original question from several months ago, concerns the kit engine and the more research I did, the more info centers on the fact that the original issue of this kit had a big block FE engine and this reissue has a 428 logo hood stripe decal, but with Boss 302 written on the instructions. I compared the AMT engine with the Revell 428 SCJ Mustang engine and both are the same size.
ChrisPflug Posted August 12, 2014 Posted August 12, 2014 (edited) Did a little digging on the history of the AMT Cougar-as far as I could find the original and 70's "Countdown" issues had an FE engine, 390 badges and the XR-7 interior and trim. The Matchbox-Lesney "Street Machine" version had the same body and interior but a hole in the hood and a Boss 429 drag engine. The "revamped" 1992 ERTL 428CJ (6529, red car on the box) kit had the trim revised and the engine was actually the MPC 428 from the MPC Cougars through '73. ERTL later released the Eliminator version (6960, yellow car on the box) with a newly tooled Boss 302- all the releases since have used the Boss 302 regardless of labeling I've only got two in my stash, the "yellow car" Eliminator and "The Replica" plain box issue- the engines are both Boss 302s as far as the design of the engine, whether or not the engine is accurately scaled may be a different story The 352-428 Ford FE series engines look "cut down" for lack of a better term- the upper half of the intake ports are cast as part of the intake manifold and the top of the valve cover actually bolts to the intake rather than the head where the Boss 302/ 335 "Cleveland" series are much more conventional looking Edited August 12, 2014 by ChrisPflug
microwheel Posted August 12, 2014 Posted August 12, 2014 Great subject Mike, cant wait to see how this comes along.
mrmike Posted August 21, 2014 Author Posted August 21, 2014 I've been painting this afternoon. I got the front valance installed, but I am not completely happy with the fit. This will need some additional work. More to come...
mrmike Posted August 23, 2014 Author Posted August 23, 2014 (edited) Thank you Carl! As I mentioned previously, additional work was needed on the front valance. I applied some putty after doing some sanding and a little shaping of the corners of the fenders and front valance panel. I assembled the front and rear suspension. I mockup the drivetrain so I could set the rear axle angle. I noticed that when I glued the rear springs to the axle, the springs tilted in towards the axle center. This was a result of the molded U-bolt that went around the axle itself. I removed part of the bolt that interfered with the spring sitting flat. The wheels have been painted and the lug nuts picked out in silver paint. I may repaint the tire lettering. More to come... Edited August 23, 2014 by mrmike
slusher Posted August 24, 2014 Posted August 24, 2014 Mike what did you paint the wheels with? Is it a gun metal ?
Jeremy Jon Posted August 24, 2014 Posted August 24, 2014 Looking good Mike, always liked the Cougars of '60s
mrmike Posted August 26, 2014 Author Posted August 26, 2014 Thanks Carl and Jeremy Jon! Mike what did you paint the wheels with? Is it a gun metal ? Carl, I use Humbrol Gunmetal Metallic #53.
mrmike Posted September 6, 2014 Author Posted September 6, 2014 After not looking at the Cougar for about 2 weeks, I painted the body and hood this morning with Testors #1628 Competition Orange. Since this is an enamel paint, it'll sit for at least a week before I do anything else to it. More to come...
mrmike Posted September 29, 2014 Author Posted September 29, 2014 Thanks Luis, Carl, and Jeremy! I finally finished the interior. The engine is complete and installed into the chassis. Proof that this is a 428 Cobra Jet! More to come...
freakshow12 Posted September 29, 2014 Posted September 29, 2014 That's a boss 302. On a FE engine the intake manifold created a piece of the valve cover rail. This clearly has the cover only on the heads. Plus the covers themselves are boss 302 units. But call it whatever you want
mrmike Posted September 29, 2014 Author Posted September 29, 2014 I know, I know, I know... I do appreciate the info, Fred! But, when I compare the AMT engine block with the Revell Mustang Mach I engine block and they are the same size, then to me, they are the same size big block engine. I also used what was in the box for engine parts since I can't be bothered ordering pieces for a so-so kit like this Cougar. If the correct pieces were in the kit to begin with, then that would be a different story. I am making do with what I have and what I have here is not what I would call a very accurate kit to begin with...just look at the chassis with its GM style front inner fenders! Not accurate.
Mr. Moparman Posted September 29, 2014 Posted September 29, 2014 Looking good Mike! I just started back home from New Hampshire, made sure before I left to stop by Hobby Emporium in Tyngsborough, MA. Picked myself up Revell's 1970 'cuda, a Monogram '71 GTX and paint for both. Also got me a few packs of BMF, I am all set for a bit!
mrmike Posted October 24, 2014 Author Posted October 24, 2014 Thanks Brandon and Carl! Brandon, good luck on your new projects! I've built both kits. After a bit of light polishing, I applied another coat of Testors #1628 Competition Orange. I want to get this model off the bench and soon! I just need the time to work on it! More to come...
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