Pocher F40 with Autograph transkit upgrade challenge build

[larchiefeng]

Hey guys! It's been a while and I kind of lost track of where I was on the thread and the build. I did do some work on the Alfa and as with the F-40, work got in the way and I had to put things a way for a while. Once it got off the workbench it also kinda got off my mind as well. Winter came and went as did spring and now most of summer. I have been working a lot more than I ever expected I would and to tell the truth, when I get home I'm just plain tired and not too motivated to work on any models. However, having said that, I have been working on the Ferrari for the last month or so and documenting but, not posting. I wanted to make sure that, I was actually making some progress and that, I would be able to maintain some continuity. I didn't want to start and then stop again for months at a time. I have about 150 pictures worth of progress that, I will be posting over the next few weeks as well as continuing to work and take more pictures of what I'm working on now to post in the future. Right now I'm waiting on Uli at Autograph to get back from vacation in order for them to ship me some parts that I found were missing from the transkit. 

At this point I'll be picking from where I left off on the engine. I'm still working on the engine but, when I got everything back out of the boxes, I found some damage to the paint on the main body and one of the doors so, I'm going to have to go back and do some color sanding and shoot some more clear coats to fix it. 

 

This water manifold on the intake gets two sets on brass PE gaskets 

 

Later on, I discovered that, I shouldn't have paint the red on the fittings because the turbo water lines connection slips over them

 

When I was looking for where the other end of the blue hose connects I found that it's supposed to go to the back of the outlet housing.

So, I drilled a hole in it and attached a piece of rod to fit the ID of the hose. You can see the hole I drilled in the t-stat housing.

 

Fitting the water manifold

 

 

Test fit to make sure it's going to be the right length

 

Hose clamps on the water hose and a piece of tubing inside with a hole to insert into the rod on the outlet housing. I find myself doing a lot inserting rods and ways to hold things in place without relying on just glue alone.

It's always good to have a mechanical connection as well as a glue joint. The paint really likes to chip off the white metal even with the metal primer.

 

Everything hooked up and you probably noticed that, I have decided to weather the engine to give it a little more interest. It is supposed to be a car that is track raced on weekends so, the body will be shiny but the engine 

isn't quite as clean.

 

The front cam covers were just placed on here for the picture but, get permanently attached later on. The oil filter and housing have been on and off multiple times dealing with the four line per turbo connections. 

More later.

 

 

 

 

[silver911]

Really pleased to see you back on this build mate.....nice work on this beast...light weathering is a nice touch.

 

Ron

[larchiefeng]

Thanks Ron, I appreciate your input on the weathering. Coming from a master of painting realistic figures and just about everything else, it’s very motivational. I just did some work on the muffler with a few layers of weathered build up using a real F-40 exhaust as a reference. I’m pretty happy with it but, that post is a little bit down the line. 

 

[Codger]

Soooo good to see this back on many levels.

The complexity, the range of skills needed to produce it, the beauty of the subject -and my favorite- it's a 1/8 scale Pocher !!

The engine details make it look as the real thing except it's on a table top. Great point about mechanical connections Wayne - lessons here for all of us.

Carry on and don't disappear again !

[Schwarz-Brot]

I'm still here, watching your steps and taking notes for my own build. I am kind of glad you are leading the way. This is going to be such a huge help!

 

I don't know if you know this thread already, if not it might help you with its detailed pictures: http://modellbauer.forumieren.de/t9425-ferrari-f40-von-pocher-18-mit-autograph-transkit-gebaut-von-paperstev

The forum is all german and mainly frequented by older members, who appear pretty rough quite often. I'd personally rather not post anything there. Still, it is a completed F40 with Autograph Transkit, something we don't see too often. I can help with detailed translations for bits and pieces, if there's something special you need help with - don't know how well you understand german.

[harveyb258]

Like Ron said... it's good to see you back on this, Wayne.

The subtle weathering looks spot-on for a modernish era car....great job.

[larchiefeng]

Thanks for the welcome back guys! SB, I did look at that link and Goggle translates it into English so, no issues with reading it, thanks. His build seems to have a lot better hardware than is supplied in the transkit in some parts. It's another great build and it is the second that, I've seen on that forum. It has great reference for me to use, thanks. As a point of reference, I'm up to about the end of his page one on the engine and my rear frame is done onto his page two. I am seeing some things that I like that he did and if it's not too late I might borrow some of his ideas. 

Anyway, here's a few pictures from a while back.

 

Remember yesterday when I said that the oil filter housing has been on and off several times? These holes are part of the reason. The water line off the side of the engine goes in the front one and, two turbo water lines go on either side of it. The turbo lines are where the hole that goes all the way through is.

 

The fitting that's circled on the block is where the single water line starts

 

The fitting on the left with the red circle is the other end and the parts that are circled are where the braided line connects. The longer pipe with the nut at the end is what goes into the housing on the oil filter

 

A closer view of the pipe

 

The next thing was to add the exhaust header head gaskets. Here's an example of where the transkit didn't supply the correct bolts. You get watch screws to put in there, screws don't go there! So, I had to use these bolts instead

 

 

I also wasn't paying attention at first but, the gaskets are directional on how they go on

 

Finally got them all installed with the .8mm bolts

 

The headers have bungs and I drilled out two hole in each header and installed .080" bolts. Another non transkit bolt

 

Again, another mistake that, I will be correcting in later upcoming posts

 

I made a lot of mistakes and had to redo a few things. In this case, I didn't put bungs in, I just added the bolt heads. I also only put two on the top of each header instead of two on the top and two on the bottom. Each header has four which I go back and correct. Anyway, I don't mind showing my mistakes; this transkit is a real learning experience so, there's a lot of doing things over to get it right. Part of what makes this slow going is trying to think steps ahead and taking into account that if I install this part now, will it be in my way in the next step or two steps ahead. I spend a lot of time thinking about whether or not I'm ready to permanently ready to attach something. 

Edited September 6, 2019 by larchiefeng

[silver911]

It's all in the 'details' mate...and you have to make mistakes to learn...which will mean a better overall finish in the end.

 

If I may...one trick I employed with any added fittings such as bolts...is to gently 'burn' them in...it's surprising how much 'realism' this adds to them with just the application of some heat...the resulting discoloration adds that extra layer of detail...and would certainly be applicable to those bolt heads (bungs) on the exhausts.

You can use various heat sources...a lighter...heat gun...even a ring on a gas cooker (such as I did with the brake discs on the Panigale)...just be very careful with white metals/ali !

 

Ron

[Codger]

10 hours ago, silver911 said:

It's all in the 'details' mate...and you have to make mistakes to learn...which will mean a better overall finish in the end.

 

If I may...

 

You certainly may - it would be a huge benefit to all of us to have your unique expertise on a regular basis again.

[silver911]

17 minutes ago, Codger said:

You certainly may - it would be a huge benefit to all of us to have your unique expertise on a regular basis again.

Almost as much as having your unique brand of work ethic available to us again Mr C 😎

[Pascal]

19 hours ago, larchiefeng said:

...

I made a lot of mistakes and had to redo a few things. In this case, I didn't put bungs in, I just added the bolt heads. I also only put two on the top of each header instead of two on the top and two on the bottom. Each header has four which I go back and correct. Anyway, I don't mind showing my mistakes; this transkit is a real learning experience so, there's a lot of doing things over to get it right. Part of what makes this slow going is trying to think steps ahead and taking into account that if I install this part now, will it be in my way in the next step or two steps ahead. I spend a lot of time thinking about whether or not I'm ready to permanently ready to attach something. 

Nice to see you back Wayne.

 

You dont make mistakes, you just make things better the second (or third) time around.

 

Remember : you are one of a handful of modellers that actually BUILDS this transkit, instead of letting it gather dust.

 

Keep up the good work mate !

 

Sincerely

 

Pascal

[Roy vd M.]

I'm just glad this topic is resumed. It's such a wonderful* kit-aftermarket merger, I can only agree with Pascal's reminder here. 

 

Work so far looks good, notwithstanding what you consider to be multiple mistakes. Each made mistake counts toward further completion of this masterpiece.

 

 

 

 

(*ly impossibly complex)

[larchiefeng]

Thanks for the tip Ron. I just heard from Uli at Autograph today and he's going to be shipping some of the missing parts for the turbo fittings. I think that he switched the casting from white metal to nickle so, they might come out nice. Pascal, your comment really made me think about exact;y what it is that, I'm working on. I forget how many of these transkits were in the initial offering but, I think it was around 200 or so. I know when Rich I and I acquired our two, they were given a special serial number because they were made up of some spare parts that they had left. The demand was so great that he put together about 25 additional transkits; mine is SP 022 so, I got in on the tail end. Anyway, given the low number of transkits and low number of build threads and completed ones, you're right about it being a handful. When looked at in that new perspective, I do feel fortunate to be building this kit. I've known about these transkits for years and always thought of them in terms of the holy grail of kits. I don't think that I ever not thought about building it when I got it. Sometimes you hit a point when you have to let your skills catch up to what you are doing. I've hit that point once or twice along the way hence, the comment about making mistakes. I imagine that, I've probably spent many more hours working things out in my head than I've actually spent on the bench. I have probably gone over different aspects of how to do something 1- 15 times before I hit on the way to get something accomplished. It has been challenging and I guess that's really part of the fun of it.

 

Continuing on, I added the rear mount for the muffler 

 

A little more work on the top end 

 

 

Added the alternator

 

Getting ready for the turbo lines, gathering the materials to make all those braided lines

 

The wire to strip and make this braided line. There will be six of this size on the two turbos

 

With the core stripped out of the braid and solder inserted in its place. At this point, I don't know exactly how long to make them and they all have a slightly different connection to the engine.

I need to see all of the white metal fitting to decide how I'm going to attach them to the turbos. This is where I spend some time trying to come up with a good connection that looks realistic.

 

This is how the turbo piping looks. I don't have anything that looks like the pipe flange on the end of the orange line on the turbo side.

None of the white metal parts allow a connection like the ends of the pink and green lines. I believe the yellow lines are solid piping.

The other reason that the top of the engine is still not complete is because I don't want anything in the way when I make all the connections on the intake manifold area. 

Everything is a trade off.

[Pascal]

If I recall correctly, the total number of transkits that Uli sold is between 450 and 550. There were 2 versions (Speedline street and OZ-racing), the difference between them being the wheels and tires. There was also a seperate set with braided hoses and attachments. That set might have the parts you need to attach the braided lines. 

I'll check my references when I get home tonight. I should be able to give you the partsnumbers of the missing parts.

 

Sincerely 

 

Pascal

[larchiefeng]

Wow, I didn’t realize that there were that many sold. I knew that some had the OZ wheels but, I didn’t realize that the transkits came in two specific versions. I have never heard of the special kit with the hoses and attachments, this is new information to me. This why some of the assembled transkit F-40’s look, a lot more refined at the fittings on the hoses. I have looked for those fittings and never found anything like them. I always thought to myself, where did that get those parts, did he make them? I’m looking forward to seeing if you can get me the part numbers so that I can ask Uli if he has a kit or maybe some of the fittings left. 

He seems to have a stash of parts from the kits left because every time I ask him, he seems to have a replacement for it. I thought that, I would probably be out of luck with the WM41 turbo fittings. And, he said no problem and, is sending them to me so, who knows maybe I’ll get lucky; for a price. lol 😆 

Thanks Pascal

[Schwarz-Brot]

I am also interested in the information regarding the fittings, @Pascal
 

10 hours ago, larchiefeng said:

Anyway, given the low number of transkits and low number of build threads and completed ones, you're right about it being a handful. When looked at in that new perspective, I do feel fortunate to be building this kit. I've known about these transkits for years and always thought of them in terms of the holy grail of kits. I don't think that I ever not thought about building it when I got it. Sometimes you hit a point when you have to let your skills catch up to what you are doing. I've hit that point once or twice along the way hence, the comment about making mistakes. I imagine that, I've probably spent many more hours working things out in my head than I've actually spent on the bench. I have probably gone over different aspects of how to do something 1- 15 times before I hit on the way to get something accomplished. It has been challenging and I guess that's really part of the fun of it.

No matter how many have been sold, they are super expensive and ultra rare. To me this is also the holy grail of modelling, and for me it is certain that I am going to build this beast. I am lucky enough I could afford the transkit on top of the Pocher. How could I not at least try to build this... Why else would I sink so much money into it.

Your progress looks good so far. Though I am not totally sold on the weathering. It feels not right to me - not consistent. This will probably get better with all the layers of parts that will be added on top, so no worries yet. Just keep an eye on it, to me subtle, consistent and to scale weathering is the key to ultra-realistic models.

 

Keep us posted, every post of yours is a cliffhanger!

[Codger]

2 hours ago, Schwarz-Brot said:

 

No matter how many have been sold, they are super expensive and ultra rare. To me this is also the holy grail of modelling, and for me it is certain that I am going to build this beast. I am lucky enough I could afford the transkit on top of the Pocher. How could I not at least try to build this... Why else would I sink so much money into it.

 

An excellent point. This is plastic modeling at the top rung. Not for the faint of heart - or wallet.

[Codger]

6 hours ago, Pascal said:

If I recall correctly, the total number of transkits that Uli sold is between 450 and 550. There were 2 versions (Speedline street and OZ-racing), the difference between them being the wheels and tires. There was also a seperate set with braided hoses and attachments. That set might have the parts you need to attach the braided lines. 

I'll check my references when I get home tonight. I should be able to give you the partsnumbers of the missing parts.

 

Sincerely 

 

Pascal

An enormous help to the few who are tackling this. Remarkable you have this information and wonderful gesture for sharing it.

Thanks for helping Wayne delight us all.

[Pascal]

I checked my references, sofar I've found 2 photos that show where the braided lines (the ones you marked orange in the drawing) connect to :

 

 

 

That last photo also shows where the green and purple hoses connect to the turbo.

 

I don't think that autograph made the connectors for these lines, but they can be easily made with eyebolts and hexagonal bolts.

 

I'll be on holiday from monday till friday, but I'll look for the F-40 video and the autograph braided line set, when I get back.

 

Sincerely

 

Pascal

[larchiefeng]

SB, I understand about the weathering. The majority of the F-40's with, the transkit, are all super clean showroom new without anything but, an as new look. I get that, and I like those but, I just wanted mine to be a little different. It may not be to everyone's liking but, it does seem to be kind of how they look after some wear and mileage. I've been referencing the DVD called "Back to Life" and the wrecked F-40 on the TV show Fast and Loud. Both were LM versions and had crashed. What I'm trying to replicate is what those engines looked like when being disassembled from the body. These cars were raced and used and abused and, even though the body might be clean, the engine and undercarriage definitely were not. I'm just going for a real life, driven F-40 and, I realize that my weathering skills aren't in the same realm as Ron's Ducati but, who's are. If I can get a close representation of the reference material, I'll be happy.

Pascal, I appreciate you looking into the part number of the detail up kit from Autograph when you get back. You mentioned using an eye bolt and hex bolt; what type of eye bolt have you used? I know that there are some supplied in the transkit for something else and, they are just small ones with a coarse thread that, you would use to screw into a wood picture frame or something like that. Is this, what you are referring to? I know that, you use quite a variety of materials and supplies in doing your scratch building.

For those of you who don't know, Pascal has practically made his own Pocher F-40 transkit out of plastic, brass and everything else, in building his yellow F-40 Barchetta convertible race car. He said that the price of the Autograph transkit was too expensive so, he made his own. 

There is a lot of talent here, on this thread and, we all benefit from the discussion. I don't mind if we go off topic now and again as long as we all can get something out of it. There's just too many smart and very skilled guys popping in to not, to benefit from everyone's input.

Thanks guys!

Edited September 8, 2019 by larchiefeng

[Pascal]

Hi Wayne,

 

I use eyebolts like these :

 

 

Cut off the threaded part, insert the stem into the braided hose, use a piece of alu or brass tubing to attach the eyebolt to the braided hose and fix the eyebolt to the turbo with a hexagonal bolt.

 

I've checked my transkit catalogue, the parts that I mentioned above are not in the transkit.

 

I'll look for the autograph cable set when I get back, but I'm pretty sure that those parts aren't in that set neither.

 

Sincerely

 

Pascal

[larchiefeng]

Thanks Pascal! I’ve never seen eye bolts like these. When you get back home do you suppose that you could share where you can get them and any information about them? They look like the perfect solution for the hose ends. Thanks again 

[larchiefeng]

Shortly after Pascal's post showing the eye bolts, I started searching for them. I actually found the exact ones at the Knupfer.com website and I found two other sizes in brass from a company here in the US. I have already received those but, I'm still waiting on the the steel versions from Knupfer as well as the replacement parts from Uli at Autograph. I also received the 1mm nuts from MMC to continue working on the turbo and waste gate flanges. I'm still working on those and when I get caught up I'll be posting about that. I really need all the little associated parts for the turbos, pipes and braided lines to finish. In the mean time I have started drilling the holes in the turbos for the fittings and the braided lines haven't really progressed much since last time. I have the muffler started and a ways along now. So, here are those pictures.

 

I kind of had to guess at the placement of the holes based on the parts diagram and pictures of other builds and the real car

 

Starting on the muffler by removing the pipes to add the PE flanges and 1mm nuts and bolts

 

Starting to add the PE to the muffler

 

The various PE parts for the muffler heat shield or silencer

 

The two main silencer parts

 

Bending the bottom piece to shape around the plastic

 

The exhaust pipes are just there to line up the PE when I glued it down

 

The top side of the muffler

 

Bending the PE brackets for the straps. A 1.5 mm nut gets soldered on the under side of the bracket for the bolt to screw into to hold the muffler to the transaxle

 

The brass strips go over the stainless steel PE as brackets and get soldered to the large flat brass PE gasket. A bit tricky to keep from melting the plastic

 

As you may recall, I've been rewriting and adding things to the instructions that aren't on the Autograph instructions and this is just one of those pages where I had 

typed it up and as I went along, more and more things came up.

 

On another note, one of our group has asked me to to get out all of the finished pieces i.e. the body parts front suspension, rear frame and the engine progress to date. And, to put it all together, in sort of a group picture just as a reminder of how much has already been done and give an idea of where this is all going. When, I can clear enough room on the workbench and, get the various pieces out of the plastic storage containers, I will do this just for fun. I suppose that, I could also use a reminder of what the end goal is as well. Sometimes, when you are engrossed in all the small stuff, you kind of lose sight of the bigger picture and the ultimate goal. 

 

 

[Codger]

You're working on the molecular level Wayne, my hat's off for that effort.

Incentive always results from seeing a 'review' grouping of the overall project. It sure helps get through the tedious parts on the way to the finish line.

Looking forward to seeing the ensemble and trying to decide which museum to call for you.

[Pascal]

Hi Wayne, I'm glad you found the eyebolts. If you do a google search with "augenschraube M3", you'll find lots of places that sell the ones that I showed in the photo. For example Amazon and Conrad. There's a couple of versions (diameter of the eye, diameter of the hole, etc.) , which gives you multiple options.

 

Sincerely 

 

Pascal