Tommy Ivo's Showboat 1/8 Scale

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Completed the second connecting shield and moved onto making the 32 spark plugs. Using 3/16" aluminum rod I turned the basic shape of the plug with a spacer to index the shoulder for clearance when milling the hex part of the plug. Here is the sequence of making them. They will have to be painted white for the insulator.











I am glad they are finally done. My hex bar order arrived so now back to the fuel system parts to finish them up.

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Wheels are on there way. Here is a picture from Dancing Bear Components, the wheels are 1-11/16” in diameter and are split in the center for assembly to the tires. He did a fantastic job on them.

[MODEL A MODEL]

Those are beautiful!

They machine from files that you created or are these something they already have the data for?

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I sent him a CAD drawing with dimensions and he created these from scratch. He sent 3D renderings for approval before CNC cutting them. Visit his website on Facebook.

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Talk about perfection a perfect press fit into and mating to the tires. These are as good as one can ask for and would recommend him to anyone.

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I pondered over the best way to make the spark plug boots and then remembered a product from my past. Plasti Dip a vinyl dip used to coat tool handles and spring clips. A trip to the local hardware store and luckily they had a small can of Black. Next I turned a few brass mandrels representing the outside dimensions of the plug and wire. Make sure they are smooth as possible for easier removal. The mandrels were then dipped just past the mandrel shoulder and let to set until set. Setting in the sun helped accelerate the setting time. Then came the hardest part removing the set boot shape from the mandrel. I found the best way was to counter twist the vinyl shape while pulling hard apart and after a couple of tries it slipped off the mandrel. The boot was then trimmed with a sharp blade to it's final configuration and then added to the plug until needed for wiring.

[MODEL A MODEL]

Very nice!

[MODEL A MODEL]

Valve seems on wheels?

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Valve seems on wheels?

Yes the holes are in the wheels for the valve stems. Will decide later about threaded valve caps, but not working scrader valves.

[Scott H.]

What a great way to make the plug boots! learn something new everyday. Keep up the good work

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I broke down the engines and painted all the parts, made aluminum block plugs and polished up the brass parts ready for chrome plating Using Caswell's Plug N' Plate Copy Chrome kit. I found that the best results were attained by first sanding and buffing the parts then scrubbing with pumice and toothbrush in water. Then if necessary copper plating to fill any scratches and fine sanding , pumicing again then chrome plating. Once chrome plated then gently polished with Mother's Aluminum Polish. This was all done on the work bench.










Back to plating.

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Continued plating and plated some of the exhaust pipes and figured out a way to plate the 00-90 bolts and nuts without burning them up using a section of rectangular tube drilled and tapped to add more mass for the plating process. The nuts were added to the longer bolts. My wife came up with the idea of using vinyl file folder material for the head gaskets and works perfectly; just have to be careful trimming to the final shape while in place. I also painted the block plugs as well per the original builder's advice. Touch ups are still needed. Will continue head gaskets and bolt plating as time allows, but wife's care giving comes first.

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After chrome plating the various lengths of 00-90 bolts I started assembly of the left bank of engines to be able to finish the engine mounts to the frame rails. The real benefit of the Caswell plating system is that I can plate parts as I go and as needed. Takes about 2 minutes to plate the parts first in copper then chrome and polish once plated . After assembling the individual engines I have started on the connector braces which required making small flanges for each end. Bolted the modified oil filters in place using the original parts for now. The valve cover wing bolts were plated and here is a close up picture; I am real happy on how they came out.










Here is where I am at so far.



I will finish up adding the parts to this bank and then move onto the right bank of engines.

[MODEL A MODEL]

Thank you for sharing! -it’s great to see how someone else works!

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Fabricated all the engine braces with mounting flanges. These really stiffen the entire assembly. Then all were chrome plated and polished. When chrome plated the brass first looks like dull chrome or aluminum; I then polish to get the bright chrome finish.




Next I moved on the exhaust pipe flanges which are made and fitted individually to each pipe. I make two at a time and chrome plate the pipes and flanges together. The chromed pipes really make a difference. The two down pipes are shown; this is how the remaining 14 pipes lay down at the same angle on each other.









Now back to making more exhaust pipe flanges as time allows, will be a time consuming process but the results are great. As I fit each pipe I am removing the engine block bolts and polishing them as well using the Mother's polish which really makes them sparkle. The chrome nuts shine like little jewels against the red paint.