Polished it up today. Piano wire, 2.5mm, polishes nicely. The front end will have posable (sp.?) steering. The axle and parts are exact scale. Kingpins at 8°, 44" pin to pin. Radius rod and torsion bar brackets scaled also.
Next up is further with the torsion bar connections, then the tie rods. A large assortment of parts arrived today, motor and rear ends along with a pair of 5 slot Halibrands with nice slicks. I'm relieved to be able to finally get the chassis with the rear end set up together.
Thanks Chris. I'm happy with the progress. More on the front end done today. Also, a motor block was mocked up, needs to be widened 1mm each side to meet scale. No problem, this will help the zoomies to clear the chassis rails later on. I do believe now, especially in a large scale car, if the foundation is true scale, the rest has to be also or issues will come up later on. Backtracking is not fun. Get it right or do not attempt the next step.
Joel, I'm happy with the axle so far. The real plans have the kingpins at 8° tilt, just so happens the first attempt on one side was perfect, so the other was done also.....took 3 attempts though to get it right. The result is what counts, I agree.
Torsion bar connectors are done, next few days the radius rods and the 2 tie rods should be finished. Might be worth mocking the front unit up to make sure the wheels will be centered.
@ismael, many thanks for dropping by, appreciated.
Hope you're OK, concerning your absence.
Lots of finicky sub-assemblies to deal with now. Currently, hanging the rear end housing...done. Back bracing also finished. On to the pinion support along with the bottom mounting brackets for the triangulation bars. All tedious and take time, but no rush on my part.
Mike, The rear end really looks amazing. I can really see all the detail and alignment work needed to get it to this point. As you keep on saying, the larger scale makes it easier to accomplish and that much more of a necessity to do.
Joel
On My Workbench: Meng 1/24 scale 1966 Ford GT40 MkII Just completed: Monogram 1/24 scale 1983 IMSA 7-11 Ford Mustang GTP
@joel, yes, I agree. I'm finding further as this project progresses that this scale can allow almost a complete replica model.
Today was a good day. The rear brake cylinder with mounting bracket also for the brake handle and cylinder push rod, was completed. This intricate work can hardly be done in 1:25 without machining parts, which I refuse. The 1:16 scale allows almost everything, although I'll easily admit to not wanting every bolt or U-joint to function fully.
Interesting also, my stash of micro hardware can't be used....larger nuts and bolts are needed. I'll have to write, a welcome situation as the parts can be seen with the naked eye.
Naked eye...and back to your statement, the scale almost dictates that detailing is necessary, I'm still having trouble drawing the line though. Surely a learning process at hand.
The chassis is finished. For now, I'm not aware anything has to be added. Still not too late though as paint will be applied later on, so things can still be soldered on.
New things are, the chassis is now in one piece, the rearmost steering bracket mounted, studs for the rear axle triangulation added, brake cylinder and handle (functional) as well as a small rubber tire at the wheelie bar unit.
Small things left to do in the cockpit. The major work on this car is finished, the rest is a breeze. Maybe before Christmas....a nice goal.
@joel_W, again many thanks. The project is moving forward nicely.
UPDATE: Motor mounts and more of rear triangulation bars.
Today with the basic motor needs. Motor mounts and a blower idler pulley support bar. After viewing the photos, the bar needs to be reduced, too large.
I thought an aluminum valley cover might be nice. Nuts and bolts are ordered and will arrive soon. The lower triangulation bars are done as well. Also added is an oil filter to the chassis rail and a chute backplate. I do think now the soldering is done, so the paint will be soon, a black gloss. Not my favorite color, but this is a replica build, so black gloss it will be.
Finishing the steering column and its support is next on the agenda.
Mike, Not being into drag racing a lot of what you're scratch building is alien to me. But the work & finish is just amazing. I know I keep on saying that, but it's true.
Joel
On My Workbench: Meng 1/24 scale 1966 Ford GT40 MkII Just completed: Monogram 1/24 scale 1983 IMSA 7-11 Ford Mustang GTP
@joel_W, a wonderful comment. I see other models on this forum, Indy cars maybe late 60s that fascinate me. I'd love to tackle the suspension on these, but have absolutely no idea of which model would be suitable to start building. I'd like to have a good kit of a good car, then just do the styrene stuff in brass. What a model....just where to start?
Without proper plans and great photo documentation I'd be lost with this project. The kit models do not go this far, I'm grateful to have solid sources for all of my drag racing models.
Here for instance is my big mistake with the idler pulley bar posted just today. First mine, then the real motor. My stuff is way off, but this little assembly took me 3 days....then to see it's just too large.