Model A roadster pickup WIP

And some more wiring. There's a vacuum hardline leading from manifold base to distributor too. Some touchups are needed from handling and of course the coil still.

Small update- here's the coil after a small mounting bracket was made from brass sheet cut to size.

An oil filler tube with cap turned from aluminum tubing. There's a nice lil lip at the bottom of the cap that just wouldn't pull into focus?

Of course the engine will need mounts to snuggle into the frame. Styrene was used and attached which the engine then slides atop and down into.

The oil filler tube has bothered me so a new one was whipped up with more definition and this should look better in place.

I wanted a very distinctive and popular style of headers used 'back in the day' and of course those weren't to be found in the spares box?

So like any modeler I set about to fashion em up. Having cast the engine in multiples already I set up a "dummy head" and drilled it for locating holes. I then stretched and blended some styrene tubing to styrene rod to get that tapered look these had. Then it was just a matter of filling in the rest although with the various angles of head to chassis, firewall and body clearance along with maintaining the rake I wanted turned into being a bit of a chore? Now I'll just cut them to length and fashion exhaust flanges.

Oh, and make another side of course.

You're continuing to make great progress.  Looking forward to the next steps.

And they seem to be about where I wanted them. That's surprising?

bobbaily

You're continuing to make great progress.  Looking forward to the next steps.

Sorry 'B.B.', I missed your post? Thank you for following along.

You're welcome but the pleasure is mine.  I'm getting some great tips for building a Rat Rod myself-thinking about doing one for next weekend's "Weekend Madness III GB".  Don't know if I can do it justice in only two days....

Looking forward to seeing the results.

^^^I'll look forward to your project too then!

Made flanges for the end out of aluminum tubing and then started on the flange against the head.

With both sets of flanges done I used some white glue to hold them in place and dummy them back to the engine and chassis. Surprisingly (for me!) they are fairly symmetrical and come out on either side where I wanted them?

I'm gonna call these about done and move onto something else!

Looking better and better with each pic. I have a feeling that this is going to be one GREAT build. Super detail work. You must have very steady hands.

Jim

fox

Looking better and better with each pic. I have a feeling that this is going to be one GREAT build. Super detail work. You must have very steady hands.

Jim

Thank you Jim. The key to steady hands is to only approach the subject in between tremors!

Now I've got to figure out my latest problem though. With the engine in place I fitted the hood with it's new cutouts for the air cleaners on and the level of the valve covers ride up on the hood as it tapers at front? I had mocked everything up before but somehow now it just doesn't want to fit? I'll scratch my head for awhile I guess.

The only problem with "approach the subject in between tremors" is that the older you get, the shorter the time between the tremors.

Jim

The kit hood folds in two and then each side panel also folds up. I'm only running the "top" so those two halves were mated with a fill strip of styrene as well as another across the rear for a bit better fit against the cowl. The track nose was also sectioned for road clearance and then a 'lip' added to locate the hood up front. Everything was also thinned down from the bulk of the molded parts. Never mind the gap against the grill shell- it's just mocked up.

An earlier mockup showed the hood hit the valve covers so new mounts were made and the engine lowered in the chassis by about an eighth inch.

In the rear I've added wider tires than the kit choices. So to widen the rims I first split them and saved the outer lip and 'face'. Suitable brass tubing filled the gap. The chrome trim rings sit atop that now.

The kit has a nice steerable front end.  In stock form it would have worked fine but when lowered and the chassis is exposed without fenders/running boards, the Pitman arm not only appears oversize but simply hangs too close to the ground. Set about to rough shape a new one from brass square.

 I had already moved the steering arms on the backing plates and this is the geometry I would have wound up with. A new steering link and moving the steering arm again that mates to it will align the new Pitman arm and correct some geometry issues. So I'll get to that next.

Comments and critique are welcome. Anyone still out there?

Still here & still enjoying.  This is truly going to be a stunning work of art.

The center link, drag link and tie rod ends with jam nuts will be replaced with styrene, brass, aluminum and music wire.

Of course that's a Penny with one 'jam nut' upon Lincoln's eye to get a sense of scale. The stock chromed parts are above for comparison.

Comments and critique are welcome!

bobbaily

Still here & still enjoying.  This is truly going to be a stunning work of art.

Oops! I missed your post BB? Hey man I was getting "lonely". I appreciate your company and comments!

Thanks.

Here are the new components in place. Most ends are fixed and trimmed but the drag link attached to the Pitman arm isn't yet allowing the front end assembly  to be removed for painting. It does still "steer" (surpise for me!).

We''ll need some shock mounts and headlight stands on the front end so I turned up a combo mount for both.

Front shocks assembly and then fit into place.

Comments and critique are always welcome.

MrSquid

I have to say, I love the work you have done so far.  With regard to the engine How can you tie the wiring together in this scale, I have enough trouble in 1:12 scale going crossed eyed.

I'm really looking forward to seeing more of the interior, no sorry, not just the interior but the res of the build.

Have you decided on any colours yet for both inside and outside?

Keep up with the amazing work you are doing, and just remember you are not alone--- you are being watched LOL.

Best  wishes on the build Macmac

^^^

MM,

 My bad, seems I've misled you and anyone else by not mentioning those are PE plug wire 'looms'. Oh, I've tried similar before and can't match what they offer! So far, those bits of spark plug holders/looms/organizers though are the only PE I've displayed.

 I'm still up in the air about colors but did start out with one thing in mind- red steelie rims wearing trim rings and center caps! I'm also leaning towards a white or red and white interior. Things that bring back that era in my mind.

 Okay, thanks for identifying yourself- it was probably you I heard rustling outside the window then, right, right?

I don't blame you for using the photoetch as they do add that extra "wow" to the engine, even though it's just a tiny detail your eyes are drawn to these details. If you have photoetch use it, unless you are building scratch build why not, if you can get the extra detail in there do it. You've seen the bike I'm building ---I have bought nearly every extra for it expensive yes, but I can't really do scratch build as I'm not in that league.

I do like the sound of the red/white colour scheme ,that will suit your build nicely.

Again good luck with the build.

P.S Damn you found me out, I will have to stop shaking so much LOL.

Cheers

Macmac

^^^

Okay MacMac- since you've fessed up- did you steal my hood? Seriously, I can't find it? Do you have something you want to tell me now?

Otherwise- thanks!