So the next trick is to get the engine to sit in the bay properly.
The engine in the R32 sits canted to the left slightly. These are the kit parts for the engine mount and front subframe.
Unfortunately, the engine mounts included with the transkit hold the engine in a level attitude- and cannot easily be used to hold the engine in a suitable position (note the angle here between the engine mounts and subframe- note the engine is resting on the oil pan, which holds it at the proper cant angle).
Fortunately, Tamiya designed the oil pan so that it would help hold the engine in position. The locator pin between the drive half shafts is supposed to rest on the subframe- which provides a very nice position reference.
I'm using BlueTac to hold things in place for test fitting. Lots of BlueTac.
BlueTac here-
BlueTac there-
-and BlueTac on the subrame.
So this is how the engine should sit- and how hopefully the engine mounts will hold it. I cut apart the kit engine mounts to see if they could be used.
Put in place on the new engine, they are pretty close.
A little bit of shimming to improve the fit should be all they will need. I also added some brass pins to align with the holes on the block and to give some added strength.
Glued in place. Again epoxy- nothing else will work here and have the strength necessary.
Perfect. They hold the engine in place accurately and rigidly, without the need for the oil pan to support everything.
Now to see if everything will fit together in the engine bay (it does feel a bit strange to be putting an engine in the front of a car.
) This is a 'preproduction' set I got from Gio, to help him put together the instructions. I didn't get all of the parts that come with the production set, such as the large factory style valve cover that sits atop the engine. But one thing that Gio did include were the small individual camshaft covers usually seen on racing RB26s. I'm seriously considering using them instead- to help give the engine a more 'high strung' look. So, this is how the block looks with the head and camcovers in place- and this is about as large as the engine itself will be. Looks like it fits!
Of course the real test is whether or not I can get the bonnet closed over it. Tamiya included a clear bonnet on the windows and headlights sprue. Seems a bit odd, but I suppose it made sense to organize the parts this way. Yet it's impossible not to think of leaving ti clear when the model is finished. A bit like those all transparent kits Tamiya has occasionally done- or like the engine windows that Ferrari is so fond of these days. I suppose it presents options be considered.
But happily, it fits in place over the engine with no trouble.
Now that I know it all fits, it's time to get with the painting and detailing!
