1/16 409 Chevrolet...........

[Don Garrett]

Looks like a 409 to me.......closest I ever got to one was my '60 Impala (rag-top) 348 - 4bbl.
You have to love those stock valve covers.............they were just soooooo cool chrome plated .
Way to go Tony, another winner!

[D-Stroke]

Is this a TDR engine? It's super cool!

[spinellid82]

Another beautiful piece of art Tony!

[ajwheels]

Is this a TDR engine? It's super cool!

A few little pieces to deal with, and then we will see about adding it to the TDR Catalog..............

Tony

[rick g]

beautiful work on the 409 Tony. I have been wanting to scratch build a 1/8th version, but have been unable to find the dimensional info I need. Can you steer me in the right direction? THANKS

rick g

[ajwheels]

Rick........minus having parts in hand, real dimensions are often difficult to come by............extensive searching on the internet sometimes gets you close........swap meets are good places to measure things.........I've had people on various forums go out to their garage and measure stuff.............I also bring images into the CAD program, scale to the appropriate size using a known dimension, and, taking perspective into account, lift other dimensions..............the more one looks, the more one finds.........

In this particular case with the 409, I got basic dimensions at a local swap meet..........

The end result is not perfect, nor is it exact, but for the purposes of a scale model, I have found it to be plenty adequate..............

Tony

[Don Garrett]

There's an interesting point hidden in these last few posts...........whether you scratch build or have the 'puter skills, talent & coin to go through all that 3-D stuff....one thing remains the same.........RESEARCH!
No free rides here gang, you gotta do the leg work.
It takes many hours of research, computer time and money to produce a "scale" prototype model that is up to TDRs standards before we even consider offering it for sale....... we are "gear heads" and modelers just like you.

[rick g]

Thanks for the info Tony. I'm finding your ideas/methods are the norm, and engine blueprints and tech sheets are nearly non-existent. Just thought I would ask to see if I could be lucky. I appreciate your time.

rick g

[spinellid82]

Even with a great bit of info (dimensioned drawings) from Tony I had a lot of research to do getting measurements on a MkIV BBC. It is a true pain to try to get this info on the web. Like you say, tons and tons of pics but nearly no dimensioned drawings. It aint the cheapest way but what I finally did for that project was to buy a full gasket set. Still needed a couple that were easyier to figure or at least guestimate but that solve like 90%. Migh think about giving it a try.

BTW Tony, I lost all of my good stuff when my computer crashed, any chance you could resend those drawings?

spinellid82@yahoo.com

[gigglingmonkey]

It aint the cheapest way but what I finally did for that project was to buy a full gasket set.

Great idea, with a combination of the gaskets, a library of photos and a bit of gommetry you can break its back.

Update:
I asked on ozrodders.com forum for tracing of head gasket & manifold gaskets and any other dimensions and recieved an offer to post (used?) gaskets for 8BA v8 so I'm another step forward

mick in oz

[ajwheels]

Indeed......gaskets are your friend........and many good images of them can be found online............

Tony

[Roger Zimmermann]

Well, I see we all cook with water! I believed I was the only one on that planet measuring dirty parts in a cold store room!

[spinellid82]

Yep, we all need to measure at some point of time and when you gotta jump through hoops to get those measurements we do. Seems that size does matter after all.