The Ultimate GTO

Funny you should ask. If you're familiar with Fisher Model and Pattern, take a look at the now out-of-production Porsche 917/30 Can-Am car. I hand-carved all the masters for that model; Paul Fisher produced and sold the kit and I got a royalty.

Now that I'm done bragging....

I'm thinking I'll put together a kit of upgrade parts for the Monogram GTO kit, to include all the special engine parts, body upgrades and so on. As long as I don't get overwhelmed with orders (I probably won't) I'd be happy to supply people with my stuff. Look for the kit some time in 2038. (that's a joke)

And thanks for flattering me with the inquiry!!

More to follow.

Nice job so far

Thanks rambenna...BTW, your avatar has the cutest butt ever.:naughty:

Here we go again. I got into the water pump/timing cover.

Here it is in real life; front and rear of one off a real GTO and then a few shots of a new, accurate reproduction part.
http://images53.fotki.com/v432/photos/3/1533023/8071102/BGkKGrHqIOKjYEq4OpENpBK77Buy_3-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v432/photos/3/1533023/8071102/GrHqEOKj0Eq3tDk5m0BK77Bzj0Ww_3-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v431/photos/3/1533023/8071102/1-vi.jpg
http://images19.fotki.com/v37/photos/3/1533023/8071102/2-vi.jpg

Monogram was kind enough to mold this part as a separate piece in the kit, but it of course lacks adequate detail for an OCD guy like myself.
http://images52.fotki.com/v1568/photos/3/1533023/7910507/IMG_2608-vi.jpg

You can see the water pump molded right onto the timing cover. The two need to be separate pieces, of course....
http://images52.fotki.com/v1566/photos/3/1533023/7910507/IMG_2611-vi.jpg

...and that's because the Ram Air V engine used an unpainted aluminum water pump against a blue timing cover. I resin casted the water pump, now I'll set about modifying another timing cover out of the parts box.

First on the list is to remove the water pump detail. I'll also get rid of that crank snout.
http://images52.fotki.com/v738/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2765-vi.jpg
http://images54.fotki.com/v556/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2764-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v420/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2768-vi.jpg

The part isn't thick enough either. I'll add a backing of sheet styrene to fatten it up a tiny bit. This will aslo make it easier to cast later.
http://images54.fotki.com/v556/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2767-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v426/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2769-vi.jpg
http://images51.fotki.com/v1549/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2770-vi.jpg

That's a little better. Next, I'll do the lower front flange that engages the oil pan.
http://images29.fotki.com/v310/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2773-vi.jpg
http://images54.fotki.com/v556/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2774-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v420/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2775-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v419/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2776-vi.jpg
http://images52.fotki.com/v733/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2777-vi.jpg
http://images54.fotki.com/v564/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2778-vi.jpg

Got the flange on there more or less all right...now I'll sprinkle on the little cast-in details and bolt-hole bosses and all the other little bits of junk that make it look like the real part.
http://images54.fotki.com/v556/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2779-vi.jpg
http://images34.fotki.com/v1121/photos/3/1533023/8186747/IMG_2780-vi.jpg

That's all I got done on that before I had to go to bed. I'll get back to this later; I'm pretty psyched to get it done.

Here's some other stuff I did. I wanted to get into the block.

The engine block will be a lot of work. I'm starting with the Catalina block (waste not, want not) but the side-wall detail is wrong. It needs three freeze plugs per side, not two amongst other little issues. But on balance it's one of the best Pontiac blocks out there.

Here it is after I split off the transmission and bell housing (which of course will be sepatrate pieces:rolleyes:)

I also cut open the top area in preparation for accepting the scratch built lifter valley cover I'm going to come up with later.
http://images53.fotki.com/v426/photos/3/1533023/8186715/IMG_2739-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v420/photos/3/1533023/8186715/IMG_2744-vi.jpg
http://images52.fotki.com/v304/photos/3/1533023/8186715/IMG_2745-vi.jpg
http://images54.fotki.com/v564/photos/3/1533023/8186715/IMG_2746-vi.jpg

So now I'll set about "erasing" all that side-wall detail so I can re-make it to be accurate to the Ram Air V.
http://images24.fotki.com/v830/photos/3/1533023/8186715/IMG_2748-vi.jpg

Out comes the Dremel.
http://images52.fotki.com/v642/photos/3/1533023/8186715/IMG_2750-vi.jpg
http://images52.fotki.com/v733/photos/3/1533023/8186715/IMG_2751-vi.jpg

So there you go. Now I've got an appropriate canvas to start detailing on.
http://images53.fotki.com/v426/photos/3/1533023/8186715/IMG_2752-vi.jpg
http://images53.fotki.com/v426/photos/3/1533023/8186715/IMG_2753-vi.jpg


More to follow.

great stuff to fo;;ow and learn from. Thank you :thumbsup:

hands down some of the best work done. i've been gone for a while and i can't believe how much i missed out on your wip. keep up the great work. i'm waiting to see that firewall and engine when done.

Okay folks, back in the saddle. hate being away from my bench for so long, but things get stupid-busy during the Holiday Season. I trust everyone had a good one....

Anyway, here we go.

More cylinder head work; I'm damn near finished. I got the casting details added to both ends now and I added the cylinder boss detail to the block/head mating surface.
http://images18.fotki.com/v437/photos/3/1533023/7727384/NewRoyalBobcatstuff001-vi.jpg?1262113530

Still some finishing touches to add there, so I carefully glued on the exhaust flanges.
http://images108.fotki.com/v1298/photos/3/1533023/7727384/NewRoyalBobcatstuff003-vi.jpg?1262113535
http://images18.fotki.com/v674/photos/3/1533023/7727384/NewRoyalBobcatstuff015-vi.jpg?1262113539
http://images49.fotki.com/v1457/photos/3/1533023/7727384/NewRoyalBobcatstuff016-vi.jpg?1262113541
http://images52.fotki.com/v638/photos/3/1533023/7727384/NewRoyalBobcatstuff017-vi.jpg?1262113543

Pretty soon, like hopefully in the next couple of days, I'll have the bolt heads added and a coat of primer, then I'll make a rubber mold.:cool:

So I took another look at the transmission out of the AMT Catalina I was going to use.
http://images54.fotki.com/v556/photos/3/1533023/8186767/IMG_2741-vi.jpg

The detail's good, but...it's not a Muncie M-21!:shakehead

And the Model Car Garage M-21 is only fair in my opinion. I will use the photoetched linkage detail, though...
http://images54.fotki.com/v556/photos/3/1533023/8186767/IMG_2743-vi.jpg

So after some scrounging, I decided on the Revell '66 GTO transmission. It's a pretty good Muncie, but the tailshaft will need renovation along with a few other things.
http://images52.fotki.com/v8/photos/3/1533023/8186767/NewRoyalBobcatstuff008-vi.jpg?1262113576

I especially like the cast-in wording on the gear case. And the bolt bosses will lend themselves well to attaching the MCG linkage.
http://images35.fotki.com/v1130/photos/3/1533023/8186767/NewRoyalBobcatstuff010-vi.jpg?1262113580

So I glued the two halves together, hacked off the tranny portion, trimmed it all up, and there ya go.
http://images54.fotki.com/v210/photos/3/1533023/8186767/NewRoyalBobcatstuff011-vi.jpg?1262113582
http://images50.fotki.com/v1526/photos/3/1533023/8186767/NewRoyalBobcatstuff012-vi.jpg?1262113585
http://images18.fotki.com/v437/photos/3/1533023/8186767/NewRoyalBobcatstuff013-vi.jpg?1262113587

Looks okay on the AMT Olds 442 bell housing I'm going to use.
http://images47.fotki.com/v1498/photos/3/1533023/8186767/NewRoyalBobcatstuff014-vi.jpg?

Meanwihle on the wheel and tire front, I found these keen little cast resin drum brake details.
http://images40.fotki.com/v1238/photos/3/1533023/7888728/NewRoyalBobcatstuff006-vi.jpg?1262113481
http://images47.fotki.com/v1589/photos/3/1533023/7888728/NewRoyalBobcatstuff005-vi.jpg?1262113479

For the front disks, I'll probably modify these ancient white metal ones, either that or build them all up from scratch.
http://images51.fotki.com/v424/photos/3/1533023/7888728/NewRoyalBobcatstuff007-vi.jpg?1262113483

In any case, I still have the car floating out there in "inspiration land"...I haven't lost the fire; I still love the car!!

http://images17.fotki.com/v374/photos/3/1533023/7719586/SCR799999995-vi.jpg

More to follow.

More to follow.

Looking forward to it! :thumbsup:

Absolutely awesome thread Craig!

I don't think you need any suggestions at all, but I have a tip for mixing small amounts of resin.

I use plastic 35mm film cannisters - local chemists usually gladly give them away, if asked. I do the same idea using a third pot for the mixing but with the cannisters you just put the cap on and shake it like hell - saves an important few seconds before pouring! They are also flexible enough to be able to pull out any excess resin when cured, so they can be re-used.

Good luck with the build mate - looking ace so far.:cool:

I went out in the garage and tried the film cannister method; it worked like a charm. Mixing with a stick can certainly result in a bad mix, sometimes unmixed resin gets into a mold and screws up the works. Shaking is a good way to mix, but I discovered that you have to actually fill the container almost full in order to avoid too many air bubbles. The pressure chamber still squeezes most of them out, but the fewer you start with, the fewer you tend to end up with.

Great tip, cinqster!

I went out in the garage and tried the film cannister method; it worked like a charm. Mixing with a stick can certainly result in a bad mix, sometimes unmixed resin gets into a mold and screws up the works. Shaking is a good way to mix, but I discovered that you have to actually fill the container almost full in order to avoid too many air bubbles. The pressure chamber still squeezes most of them out, but the fewer you start with, the fewer you tend to end up with.

Great tip, cinqster!

Great news!

Yup, I'm still plagued with the old air bubbles - have been looking for a good vac pump but they cost big bucks over here! My best cheating way of getting rid of the blighters is to use open mould casts as much as possible - you can then have a good poke round in the resin with a stick after pouring it first. Another trick is to lightly drop the mould repeatedly against a work top, or connect it to an old running electric compressor/washing machine etc. and let the vibes knock the bubbles out. Works quite well with resin but really well with silicon moulding products - not had an air bubble in my moulds for ages!:iceslolan

Best of luck

Thanks for the updates. Im starting to fall in love with this progress! :thumbsup:

The drum brake details are from what company?

A lot of great information in this thread! I'm loving watching this come together, and all the amazing work that you're doing. Beautiful work!

You are mad, you know that right? :iceslolan

Thanks for all the kind words, folks.

As to my madness, I'd politely refer you to the guy on here who's doing that big Porsche 908/3. As far as the "nut hatch" goes, that man moves to the head of the line!! Absolutely humbling skills on him...

I'll post the manufacturer of those brakes tonight or tomorrow if I can. I got them off eBay....

...Those brakes come from an outfit called "Scenes Unlimited". Go to ePay and search up "resin brakes" and you'll find 'em.

So after some final massagng and addition of scale bolt-heads, the Ram Air-V cylinder head is finally finished. Here it is in primer, ready for casting.
http://images21.fotki.com/v833/photos/3/1533023/7727384/lategreatrav004-vi.jpg

For comarison's sake, here's the AMT '62 Catalina head I started with, all those centuries ago.
http://images49.fotki.com/v1458/photos/3/1533023/7727384/lategreatrav005-vi.jpg
http://images17.fotki.com/v297/photos/3/1533023/7727384/lategreatrav006-vi.jpg
http://images38.fotki.com/v266/photos/3/1533023/7727384/lategreatrav007-vi.jpg

Certainly not perfect by any means, but it should look good assembled and sloshed with that unique, metallic blue Pontiac engine paint.

So I got some Timing Chain Cover work done, too. See that angular bit at the top? It's got that cylindrical boss sticking out...
http://images112.fotki.com/v1534/photos/3/1533023/8186747/lategreatrav003-vi.jpg

I cut a piece of tubing at an angle, glued it to the rear of the piece, and filled it up with putty.
http://images47.fotki.com/v1589/photos/3/1533023/8186747/lategreatrav001-vi.jpg
http://images112.fotki.com/v1534/photos/3/1533023/8186747/lategreatrav002-vi.jpg
http://images18.fotki.com/v437/photos/3/1533023/8186747/lategreatrav008-vi.jpg

While the putty sets up for good, I worked on the block a little more. The front face needs some contouring added; I used .030 sheet stock cut to shape.
http://images21.fotki.com/v194/photos/3/1533023/8069491/lategreatrav013-vi.jpg

Those four holes will be filled with putty...they're only there to allow gluing access. I've started sculpting the contour area there; it's got a ways to go.
http://images52.fotki.com/v726/photos/3/1533023/8069491/lategreatrav014-vi.jpg
http://images17.fotki.com/v521/photos/3/1533023/8069491/lategreatrav015-vi.jpg

...More to follow.

looking good bro. some great work here.

Your doing some awesome work!! Keep it coming!

Charlie
Pro Tech

Those four holes will be filled with putty...they're only there to allow gluing access.

That's actually a really good idea, I'll have to keep that in mind.

all i can say is wow keep up the fantastic work

This is truly inspiring work.

hi !!!

thats absolut amazing work what you shown here !!!

i love it !!!

please can you tell us the producer from the brakes a second time. i can´t find it on ebay - or is the producer down???

greets juergen

Okay, I have come to the conclusion that you are a nut!!! But a nut that I envy!!!!:loser: You are a very talented individual!!!!

This is awesome!! got any updates for us?

I wasnt that much into muscle cars but your work has made me to start to like them lol, best work i have seen keep it up