Randy Ayers Nascar Modeling Forums

[Les Mosher]

Hey all, I have a couple questions on a Salvino's Dodge Charger. First, I'm working on final assembly, and my engine will not set down into the "engine cradle". The Header on the driver side hits on the top of the cradle, and won't let the engine settle into place on the mounting pin. And if I put the steering box in, it's even worse. The only way I can see to fix this is to remove the engine mounting cross-member and building a new one. Any ideas what I am doing/did wrong? I used the headers on the "white parts tree". Should I have used the headers on the "silver parts tree"? I know everyone says these kits fall together, but this one has really tested my modeling skills. Thanks!!

[hurricane21]

I've had engine fit issues on the Chargers too. It's really tight in there and I often leave the carb and air cleaner off to get the hood to seat all the way down. I always recommend being careful with paint build up on the Salvinos kits because the tolerances are so small and a little bit of paint will throw things out of whack. You used the correct headers. I'll mount the engine, then slide the headers into place from underneath and do the front suspension and spindle last. I usually glue the steering box into the firewall and leave the opposite end unattached and mount the engine and then mount the end of the box as best I can. And just a slight thickness on the chassis paint will make it difficult to push it all the down to connect to the front spindles. There's a little bit of an art to getting that whole area done and correctly in place.

[Les Mosher]

Thanks for your response, it was very helpful. I actually cut the front crossmember out of the chassis plate, and made new crossmembers. I used the original front suspension for measurements and placement of the new crossmembers. I didn't come up with this idea, I found a thread on the Model Car Magazine forum under the NASCAR WIP section. Helped tremendously, tons of extra room now. I'm terrible at scratch building, but this thread saved my butt! And you're correct, a layer of paint makes a big difference on Salvino's kits.