1/12 Datsun 240ZG

[quadzero]

Originally Posted by stump

And with the amount of time I've spent going over ALL the reference pics I have..the engine orientation did not hit me till I test fitted it....
It NEEDS to slant the opposite way.................DOH !

Isn't that always how it works? Great work on the engine, can't wait to see it painted, it's really something to look forward to for us. Nice save with the engine slanting. Keep up the good work. Also, couldn't you tweak the hood with some heat or hot water?

[stump]

Thanks Quadzero...
Yes, I will try and save the hood...haven't tried yet, but I was thinking some hot water will help. Cheers man.

Well, the weekend got quite busy in the end.............. We have PAINT !

Engine block. Sprayed Tamiya TS-10 (?), topped of with their new matt/dull clear. It gives a nice dull look..




Head was sprayed gloss aluminium, at a distance to try and give the rough cast look...
Rocker cover in matt black, again, it has a semi-rough appearance. The fins are now silver.




Now, the issue with hood clearances I'll resolve later....for now.............
This is the NEW sump/oil-pan. Bigger, deeper and wider. Cooling fins added too..


Comparison beside the stock unit...


This afternoon I added all the bolt heads to the inlet manifold, head and rocker cover.. It's starting to take shape.

More coming soon guys..
cheers
Greg

[scorpiopab]

That looks awesome man, i wish had more time to build so we don't have to so long for updates :P..

Keep up your great work, can't wait to see more..

Paul.

[MPWR]

Fantastic! The new twin cam head is just stunning.

couldn't you tweak the hood with some heat or hot water?

Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever done this and had it work? Not at all to be critical, but I think that's one of those techniques that always sounds good and sensible- up until you try it.

[Viccario]

Originally Posted by MPWR

Fantastic! The new twin cam head is just stunning.



Just out of curiosity, has anyone ever done this and had it work? Not at all to be critical, but I think that's one of those techniques that always sounds good and sensible- up until you try it.

I have used the hot water technique loads (see my Nissan Silvia thread!). Some model plastics are a lot more flexible than others and a lot more easy to re-shape. I have experienced a couple of occassions when the plastic has strated to split due to too much bending but it was usually progressive and therefore any un-repairable damage was avoided!

Just realised I should have mentioned that this is a fantastic thread with superb quality work! The Datsun 240ZG is looking stunning so far!

[stump]

Thanks guys..

MPWR and Viccario,
I gave the hood a bit of a tweak, it didn't require a lot....but it was enough to annoy me.
But it appears to run a little deeper than that.
The hood now rests with all 4 corners touching my bench top, so I must have glued the front end not square or true...
I will carefully unpick it a re-do the front parts....

Also spent the weekend re-doing other parts...
I had something bugging me with the rocker cover.....
Last week I contacted a person in Japan (Mechanic shop owner) who has worked on a car equipped with an OS Giken head.
He very kindly emailed back with lots of excellent detailed photos to help me.
Fresh with new reference, I shaved another 1.5 - 2mm off the top of the cam cover, the bulky part which covers the gears.
This allowed me to finally add the OS logo which has been missing, plus some extra hood clearance...


After a re-paint...also the stabilising bar added to the inlets.


Carb linkages added as well...


Dipstick....


Aside from a few other little tweaks, that's about it this week....
With some luck, once I reset the front end sheetmetal, my hood clearance issues will disappear....

More soon guys...
cheers
Greg

[quadzero]

This is amazing work, can't believe the realism and details. The OS logo looks like a molded on part. How you got the cooling fins on the pan so straight and parallel is beyond me. Good luck on the hood issues.

[675datsun]

WoW
the pan and the valve cover are amazing...i can hear the Datsun fans cheering

[stump]

Thanks so much Quadzero and 675datsun..

Hasn't been a lot of activity here of late, but I did make a new set of headers..

Started adding detail to the block, water bypass pipe added, mesh hose painted matt black.
Also have the oil pump and adaptor in place, ready for connection with a cooler..


Start of the new headers, made from 3.2mm solder.


Done....almost.


Bolts added, also added to the water pipe along the head...lotsa bolts....


And getting ready for plug wires....took forever to nut out how I would tackle this...
I ended up making a punch from brass tube, punched out some .005 inch sheet.
The result left me with six nicely domed tops for my plug towers..


Take no notice of the yellow leads....not for this build....

More to come soon guys...thanks for hanging around.
cheers
Greg

[scorpiopab]

. That's the only thing what i can say..




Keep it up Greg, would love to see your engine done.

beautiful car and build.


Paul

[mugenhb]

this build is looking awesome, I love all the detail, especially on the engine!
Man I would love to build a 12th scale car, you can fit so much more detail in something a little larger.

great job again, and I can't wait to see this project finished.

Steve

[jmpsebring]

Looking great!! Are the tire/wheels still for sale?

[stump]

Thanks so much guys...

Paul,
I'm getting a little anxious myself.....waiting on some parts to arrive...
Even started piecing together the motor for my "stock" 240Z build to help fill in time....

Steve,
If you get the opportunity to get your hands on a 1/12 kit, go for it mate...You will have so much fun it's not funny....
(Darn it....I just bought myself another one this morning............ )

Jmpsebring,
Cheers mate.
Yes, wheel and tyre packs are still available man, just PM me if you like.
AUS$49 plus AUS$12 postage Worldwide.

cheers guys
Greg

[stump]

Hello all,

Well, the small amount of work started on my second (stock) build has escalated.... Oh, but I have started to detail the triple Solex carbs for this build as well...

The stock version will be built along side the other, so I haven't worried about a second thread...
Initial work began on the exhaust system...I had used several key components on the modified car, so.....I began scratching up a stock system.

First version was a twin pipe, twin-tip.....


However, most reference show that a single tip would be more accurate....so I then made that.


The single tip will win out in the end I feel....
Motor reference also show a heat shield fitted to the manifold, a part Tamiya did not add...
I made a basic one from .5mm sheet, added some ribs and bolted it in place.
The carb linkage mounts were also added at this time.




And reworked some detail on the SU carbs. Added a choke cable mount and lever/linkage plus some extra fuel lines.


Once they were mounted, I added extra fuel line connections, vacuum hoses and it was starting to take shape....


I wasn't satisfied that I would be happy using what Mr. Tamiya supplied for the main fuel line either... I is quite prominent at the top of the motor...
So, I made mine from .7mm solder. I added a couple of brackets and fuel junctions to hold it all together.
It is bolted to the front engine cover and a bolt on the rocker cover.
Tamiya's version in the back ground...


From there, I made some mods to the air cleaner...
Adding some extra connections for vacuum lines and making an air cleaner element fro hi-density foam.




Finally, some plug leads....plus an extra hose or two.




There is still a few touch-ups to take care of....but it's getting close.....
More as it happens..( to both builds. )
cheers
Greg

[stump]

Holy crap......embarrassment +++
How long since you guys got an update......? Hmmmm....Here we go then.

First up, the "stock" version.
Basic fuel and brake lines run. Done. Started at the rear.....


Including a new fuel filter I made up...the kit part looked to awkward or weird....??


I made some brackets and linkages for the firewall, they will connect to the throttle linkage eventually....


Added some extra hoses to the motor. Just the heater hoses....Had to re-route my thoughts with these, as my reference showed mixed methods of running them.
I think they will be ok as is.....


And finally, an overall look at the bottom. Motor in place, along with the single exhaust system.


Then, an update on the modified 240.......
After several agonising attempts at plug leads, I had success....
And many.....many hours of testing, cutting, re-testing........I had the carbs ALL linked up..










Work is still (kinda) progressing, all be it slowly......
I've started to modify the guards to fit the over-fenders a little higher than stock.
This will enable the car to sit a bit lower too....which is what I was hoping to achieve....
I'll update as soon as possible guys, and truely apologise for the delay....

cheers
Greg