Cyclone build and tune

[slothead]

[Wobble]

Thanks for that slothead. I found some decals for a '64 Ford that I had no idea where to look for.

[slothead]

To those who are using the Pioneer Charger chassis for the Cyclone build what are you doing to get the front bumper to fit and support the grille? I glued the front body mount in tonight and test fit the grille, but could not get the bumper in place because of the chassis. It looks like a lot of the chassis material in front of the body mounts will need to be removed, perhaps all the way back to the guide flag.

I'm curious how others have dealt with this issue.

[Wobble]

My kits haven't arrived yet but after reading proxieken's 1st post on page 3 of this thread, I figured my plan of attack would be to reposition the mounting posts behind the front axle as I've done on this Monogram Galaxie. It's not a biggie to cut the chassis mounts off on the top side of the chassis and parallel to it and super glue and/or epoxy them behind the axle and add new mounting posts to the body.

DSCF5891.JPG

[proxieken]

[FC47]

Thanks Ken for the insight and pictures.
I appropriately drilled the posts so I could thread a 2mm screw into them, then put em on the chassis. Lowered the shell stance by sanding the post’s chassis face, got it close, then tuned it to settle the shell nice with some sanding across the posts’ upper body facing bridge while mounted to the chassis. Piece of cake.

Thanks for a great car!

[Wobble]

Agree with FC47, "Thanks Ken for the insight and pictures". Looks like an easy fix. Even keener to get hold of them now. Apparently my kits left the States on June 28. Just hoping they aren't in the middle of the Pacific on a forgotten island with Wilson.

[slothead]

Thanks to Ken and fellow builders for info and options. I spent time fiddling with the car tonight while watching a replay of today's Tour de France stage on cable TV (a good way to get virtual exercise while having fun).

I cut the front off the Pioneer chassis back to the mounting posts and sanded some of the back of the front bumper away. Now it looks like it will all fit but I need to paint the bumper before gluing the grille to it for a proper test fit. In my case I think it will take heavy duty gluing to secure them in place - either hot glue or JB Weld. I mention these because something that gives time for adjustments but then dries hard seems like the better option. I guess I'll go with JB Weld because the hot glue might affect the body or paint during final assembly.

All the little issues are being worked out and progress is being made. One lingering issue is the deep guide flag that I had to find a way to secure to the chassis. I improvised using a twist tie wrapped around the base of the post to stop it from wobbling in the chassis, then inserted a piece of wood from a coffee stirrer in the slot in the post to expand it and hold the guide in place. Both fixes worked fine but something is catching and making the guide hang up when turned all the way to the right (which is what will happen when racing on an American oval with all left turns). I didn't cut off the tall guide post which might be rubbing on the front hood brace, but I think the main problem is in the guide mount itself.

If any of you builders also got Pioneer Charger chassis with loose guides, how did you solve the problem? Harry suggested a Slot.It set screw but I don't have any (nearly all my cars have press on plastic wheels and gears). I've haven't replaced a Pioneer stock guide with the deep guide with the tall post so this is new to me. A small O-ring on the guide post was also suggested.

[slothead]

Painted the front and rear bumpers silver this evening, and did the same to the dash board. When they are completely dry I can tack the grille in place with Testers model glue and test fit things for the front end of that body while it's mounted on the chassis.

I forgot to wash the black parts before painting, but will remember Ken's notice to wash the body to remove any release agent residue before painting.

[Wobble]

Getting keen as mustard and then all of a sudden I'm deflated 'cos I looked up the tracking and seems they went back to NY so they could leave again. So the long wait starts all over again.

[slothead]

This may be no comfort at all, but I can tell you it will be worth the wait. I've been doing a little bit each day on the Cyclone and it's a fun build but also takes time. Keeping up with this thread will let you know what to expect and help you out.

Get your primer and paint ready to go and if you'll need to upgrade the rear tires you can prepare for that too.

[Wobble]

Kits arrived and departed Auckland, NZ. Next stop Christchurch. The excitement is building.

[proxieken]

Not trying to monopolize this thread with too many posts, but here are the first of my "pay my taxes" cars.



Tried to go with competition orange and went a little free-style with some of the decals on one of them. The hood scoop spears are a pain but look good if you get them on correctly.

Still the most ridiculous front in muscle car history.



Going to paint the drivers later today.

[slothead]

Ken - no way you can post too much on a thread about your cars. Keep the updates and images coming.

Will you be selling detailed bodies or whole RTR cars? Either way I think I'll be helping out with your taxes.

Looking forward to seeing what you offer.

[waaytoomuchintothis]