Alright, a brief update showing the start of the engine, which will be quite a project in itself.
When I build a kit, I usually work on a part, then, while glue and paint dry, I move to another, whichever happens to be on my mind at the moment. So if the order here seems a little illogical, that's why.
Starting with the oil pan. The pan itself is fairly good, but the starter is crud. It has no solenoid, and looks more like a sideways oil filter.
Though starters are easy to make and I probably have a few in the parts bin, the OHV-6 engine that came with this kit had a decent starter. (That engine was fairly good. Too bad the same isn't true for the 400).
With the chrome stripped, that will do nicely. So off with the old.
This removal makes some bolt-head detail necessary, but not yet.
Strangely, AMT molded the tranny separate from the block. That seems good--and really is considering the modifications I will be making. Here is the bell housing, with the kit parts fitment. That is how bad the parts assemble on this model.
Some serious, heavy-duty filing seemed to cure the terrible fit.
I'm beginning to wonder if AMT ever even saw a Firebird with a 400 ci V8. Here is their "front cover."
This part has no real resemblance to anything GM has ever made. In other words, I don't even plan to salvage it. All new parts were in order. But that will have to wait until next time, which is also when you should get to see what I consider the scratchbuilding masterpiece of my lifetime
Thanks for looking. It seems many of you are familiar with this kit and know my "pain" as I attempt to create a model that would make Pontiac owners proud, not angry.
Updates soon!
Alex