I'll be there, I mean here... but there... in a sort of there being here kind of way

Uh........ditto (I think)

 Where???     Here???   There???

I  think I will watch ...THIS ... with a keen interest.

I'll be watching this happen as well. Mirror has some very interesting subjects, but I've seen only a few builds, and they are pricey.

Look forward to your next installment!

Mike

Thank you guys! I will try not to dissapoint you. :)

I did a little research and found out the engine is a Hercules RXC flat head 6 cylinder, 529 ci. 131HP and 396 foot Lbs of torque @ 1k rpms. 

Lots of pictures for reference. :)

First modification is adding the oil dip stick. All the details in this kit and a boat load of parts, but no dip stick. So I added one. Probably the first of many to come.

Not much to show yet. Sorry. I'm still figuring out what the parts are so I can represent them properly. 

Very cool Mike. I've seen these kits and am interested in how yours builds up. 

Hello Mike!

This truck is kinda legendary and the parts look pretty nice after you're done with them, so I'll be watching. Maybe do some before/after shots, to better show us what you are dealing with. Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

Mike,

I just started this kit myself, so I'll be watching. I wish I had better reference pics of the engine--I didn't even know it had a dipstick!.

Also, I noticed that the truck's ride height is too high (based on pictures of the finished kit). But I can't figure out how to lower the ride height easily. Have you given any thought to this?

Gamera

Very cool Mike. I've seen these kits and am interested in how yours builds up. 

 

Well nothing just fits together without the utmost attention, that's for sure. There are few locating tabs and so far those haven't helped much. There is no way to line up the transmission except by eye. No tabs at all, so I hope it lines up with everything later. 

As I said, this is not a kit for beginners. Reference photos are helping though.

Pawel

Hello Mike!

This truck is kinda legendary and the parts look pretty nice after you're done with them, so I'll be watching. Maybe do some before/after shots, to better show us what you are dealing with. Good luck with your build and have a nice day

Paweł

 

Good idea, Pawel. I took one shot, which you'll see below, of the sprue gates on the steering wheel. I know I'm going to have a hard time getting that off the sprue without breaking it. Most of the small parts are like this.

hypertex

Mike,

I just started this kit myself, so I'll be watching. I wish I had better reference pics of the engine--I didn't even know it had a dipstick!.

Also, I noticed that the truck's ride height is too high (based on pictures of the finished kit). But I can't figure out how to lower the ride height easily. Have you given any thought to this?

 

The engine is a Hercules RXC. Lots of pictures online. Firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4 clockwise with the #1 spark plug at the back of the block - 6-5-4-3-2-1.

The ride height should be set for an empty load, but I haven't gotten that far in this build yet, so don't quote me on that lol.

****************

Progress pictures;

The first picture shows the sprue gates on the steering wheel. I'm going to have a difficult time removing that part without damaging it.

The last two pictures show the work i've done to the timing system.

Be back later!  :)

Excellent detailing esp. that dip stick!

M. Brindos

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Your going to need a moto tool of some sort to release the sterring wheel from that tree.

Trying to do it with just an X-acto has failure written all over it!

If you have one, try a rattail file chucked in a variable speed drill. Slowest setting.

No power tools for parts despruing! you will shred it.

I use Trumpeter TRU09917 Model saw, a set of very fine saws, a few strokes & the part will be off without destroying it.

Mirror Models' newer parts sprues have many but finer sprue gates & do need gentle handling.

CMK, Zona and Accurate Armour have some very fine saw blades, just don't use the CMK without a handle.

Mike ;

 Did you know that the same engine was Marinized and used in some boats the navy had in W.W.2 and all the way up to the end of Korea ? A few showed up at my Marina even in the 90s . T.B.

Hi Mike .

  I have had the same problems in the past . Here's how I handle it . Take a sprue cutter and cut the smaller sprue . Use a wire cutter then, on the larger sprue on the outside there . Okay now , take a number 11 blade and score around the joints at the wheel .( I have a lot of problems like this in the model rail-road stuff at the Museum ! )

 Very carefully cut the sprue as close to the wheel as you can get a little nibble at a time . Then cut at the rim .The score lines you've put in earlier actually seem to relieve some of the tension in the sprue/part joint .

 Leave the slightest of bumps at each location and sand to shape . I hope this helps you . T.B.

Thanks for all of the clever ideas guys! I think it may not be so much of a problem when the time comes. There are plenty of parts with sprue gates like that, so I'll have some practice before I need to remove the steering wheel. Fortunatly the plastic is quite soft.

I did finish wiring the plug wires last night. That distributor was a pain. The CA just didnt want to keep a firm grip.

M. Brindos

The engine is a Hercules RXC. Lots of pictures online. Firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4 clockwise with the #1 spark plug at the back of the block - 6-5-4-3-2-1.

The ride height should be set for an empty load, but I haven't gotten that far in this build yet, so don't quote me on that lol.

****************

Thanks for the firing order, I was looking for that. And thanks for the build pics, too.

I was hoping to build up my truck with a full load. Maybe lowering the ride height is more than I can handle.

M. Brindos

There is no way to line up the transmission except by eye. No tabs at all, so I hope it lines up with everything later.

Unfortunately I attached the transmission and then thought about it lining up. If I have to cut it back off later I'm going to be pissed. My fault though.

M. Brindos

Progress pictures;

The first picture shows the sprue gates on the steering wheel. I'm going to have a difficult time removing that part without damaging it.

 . . .

 

Be back later!  :)

 

sorry ... back to this.

Yes, as, Jon_a_its, suggests, use a razor saw while gently pressing the steering wheel part into soft neoprene tape for the first 3 gates. Then the last one with a flush cutter inside a bag, to catch the flying part. 

.

.

Great work on the engine details

I do have a few saws I can use. That method should do it! :)

Thanks!

Mike, looks like you're off to a good start with this one.  Softskin vehicles are not my cup of tea so I can't offer any advice about engines and such, but you have my moral support!!

Thanks, Ernest! Thats a beaut of a Persing you built and I'm sorry I haven't said so yet. Personally I'm a big fan of braille scale armor lol.

Sorry for your challenges, but then you can handle them because your "client" will be greatful - no pressure.   The work so far looks great

watchin' and waitin'