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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 5:57 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
I think this is the carb size I am going to go with
Have to chop and reverse the alternator to sit the right way around at the correct location to the movie car

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This one has six carbs!!! Can’t imagine trying to tune that up correctly

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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 5:27 am
by barryf1fan
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Sat Jul 26, 2025 5:57 pm This one has six carbs!!! Can’t imagine trying to tune that up correctly
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:lol:

I hear'ya... I had a 1967 Morris Minor 1000 convertible when I was a kid and it had dual Weber side-draft carbs, and that thing was a huge PITA. :lol:

Love this build (NGL, I dig all of your builds!!)!!

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 10:40 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Hold onto your socks, an nice quiet Sunday morning of building 😊
Dove into my secret box of goodies to finds some detail stuff
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Green fuel lines will look cool…movie car had gross yellow brown clear ones
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Making the carberature stacks out of aluminum. Which polishes nicely but bends about as well as I do right now

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Pretty much there, just some refining and polishing. I made the rotor and wiring too…red hairy thing in the vise
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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Jul 27, 2025 10:41 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Found this in my box
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It is a sticky backed tape. I didn’t smooth the firewall enough. I might put it right over the aluminum bit I made :think:
Ya I am going to try that
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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2025 6:31 am
by Stokesy44
Engine is looking smart with the carbs and wiring :th:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2025 3:13 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Stokesy44 wrote: Mon Jul 28, 2025 6:31 am Engine is looking smart with the carbs and wiring :th:
:cheers2:
Devil is in the details!

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 1:07 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Getting the exhaust headers 3D printed out
I did a print from the file that was 1/25 scale…way small
So I did another with my multiple versions on the same plate each 10% larger…and luckily got two good ones

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Then did a putty test fit with the header and alternator to get an idea of positioning

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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2025 3:14 pm
by digger303
:th: :th: :th:
:cheers2:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 6:20 am
by Stokesy44
That looks superb. The painted carbs are awesome too.

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:06 am
by cor
Its looking good

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2025 4:22 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
cor wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:06 amIts looking good
Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 6:20 am That looks superb. The painted carbs are awesome too.
:cheers2: :cheers2:
Cheers guys, coming along slowly
For my next trick I think I am going to cut open the doors :think:
The exposed external hinges are the issue to solve

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2025 1:49 am
by digger303
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 4:22 pm
cor wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 8:06 amIts looking good
Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Aug 03, 2025 6:20 am That looks superb. The painted carbs are awesome too.
:cheers2: :cheers2:
Cheers guys, coming along slowly
For my next trick I think I am going to cut open the doors :think:
The exposed external hinges are the issue to solve
I'm ready
:pop: :pop: :pop:
:cheers2:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 5:24 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
The exhaust headers on this car protrude out over the frame instead of inside tight to the engine block
So I have to extend the pipes bit am unsure how far
I made an adjustable set up that I can fine tune and then tighten and seal everything up as I add the frame bits and stuff that might get in the way.

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For your entertainment, dog in the weeds. She is a super seeder
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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sat Aug 09, 2025 7:20 pm
by Stokesy44
Excellent work.

And you have a lovely view from the front garden :th:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 6:54 am
by Twokidsnosleep
Well Saturday was fun
I modelled most of the day in the garage at the mini metal lathe!
I made three pulleys for the engine: the fan, water pump and alternator and a piston handle for the shifter
Here we go….
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The shifter handle
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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 7:42 am
by Stokesy44
I know I joke a lot about this side of the hobby but that doesnt mean I'm not impressed.

Those milled parts are absolutely stunning, the skill needed and the final look of the parts is superb.

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2025 5:07 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Stokesy44 wrote: Sun Aug 10, 2025 7:42 am I know I joke a lot about this side of the hobby but that doesnt mean I'm not impressed.

Those milled parts are absolutely stunning, the skill needed and the final look of the parts is superb.
There was also some swearing and anger….the lathe has sat too long unused and precision instrument don’t like to do that
Took a while to get the cross table working right, it was jamming up :wall: :bash:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2025 1:45 am
by digger303
Very good work making those items.....a deft touch when working in such small confines.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Yes when you don't use them often enough the lube gums up and some parts start to get a bit of corrosion and garages or big unsealed sheds tend to get more moisture in.

:cheers2:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2025 8:33 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Video of the lathe in action


Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2025 9:40 pm
by DRUMS01
Looking great Scott, a real labor of love going on here.....

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 1:37 am
by Twokidsnosleep
DRUMS01 wrote: Mon Aug 11, 2025 9:40 pm Looking great Scott, a real labor of love going on here.....
:cheers2: Man,thank you
I don’t know about love though, I think I am building this one for spite :)
I have wanted to build my own parts on the lathe so this was a good project for that

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 1:39 am
by Twokidsnosleep
digger303 wrote: Mon Aug 11, 2025 1:45 am Very good work making those items.....a deft touch when working in such small confines.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Yes when you don't use them often enough the lube gums up and some parts start to get a bit of corrosion and garages or big unsealed sheds tend to get more moisture in.

:cheers2:
Thank you :cheers2:
I hate to admit it but this stuff was all eyeball, seat of my pants design. No detailed drawings and careful measures
I just banged them out…but I did have styrene kit parts as a starting point.

I don’t see how and internal Allen bolt got loose for my wheel nut that is what my problem was and I needed to stop, take a deep breath and figure things out instead of forcing it and breaking something. After I got those things tightened up and rolling smooth, the lathe worked perfectly

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 2:41 am
by bfrd
Spite is a pretty good motivator too. I think the people saying negative stuff are just jealous. This is one very impressive build!

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 6:15 am
by Stokesy44
bfrd wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2025 2:41 am Spite is a pretty good motivator too. I think the people saying negative stuff are just jealous. This is one very impressive build!
I agree. You've got to have an empty dark soul to criticize something like this. I've been on this planet over 50 years now and the ability of people to be mean still surprises me.

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 10:23 am
by digger303
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2025 1:39 am
digger303 wrote: Mon Aug 11, 2025 1:45 am Very good work making those items.....a deft touch when working in such small confines.
:clap: :clap: :clap:
Yes when you don't use them often enough the lube gums up and some parts start to get a bit of corrosion and garages or big unsealed sheds tend to get more moisture in.

:cheers2:
Thank you :cheers2:
I hate to admit it but this stuff was all eyeball, seat of my pants design. No detailed drawings and careful measures
I just banged them out…but I did have styrene kit parts as a starting point.

I don’t see how and internal Allen bolt got loose for my wheel nut that is what my problem was and I needed to stop, take a deep breath and figure things out instead of forcing it and breaking something. After I got those things tightened up and rolling smooth, the lathe worked perfectly
Nothing wrong with your eyes, they came out lovely.
Allen screw coming out was probably a factory issue , just not tightened up enough.

Probably not relevant, but there is a bearing type that integrates the locking screws as part of the bearing as opposed to the type that has a separate collar with the allen screws..so it's a 2 piece thing and it's way superior. Never comes loose as opposed to the cheaper type that always does and causes more problems than one wants.

:th: :th: :th:
:cheers2:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2025 7:12 pm
by barryf1fan
This thing is looking pretty freakin' amazing!! The detail you're putting into that engine build is too much. You actually made R-E-A-L metal pulleys for the engine. I mean, adding fuel line and spark cables, sure - but milling TINY metal circles that actually look like a crank pulley, and alternator pulley, c'mon!!??

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Oh. Wait!! :lol: :lol:

In all seriousness, looking incredible. Been watching, and agree, the people being a bit negative Nancy can go pound sand. :roll:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Wed Aug 13, 2025 1:54 am
by Twokidsnosleep
barryf1fan wrote: Tue Aug 12, 2025 7:12 pm This thing is looking pretty freakin' amazing!! The detail you're putting into that engine build is too much. You actually made R-E-A-L metal pulleys for the engine. I mean, adding fuel line and spark cables, sure - but milling TINY metal circles that actually look like a crank pulley, and alternator pulley, c'mon!!??

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Oh. Wait!! :lol: :lol:

In all seriousness, looking incredible. Been watching, and agree, the people being a bit negative Nancy can go pound sand. :roll:

:cheers2:
It’s all good guys
There are some super supportive and helpful ones there too
I think the others are ‘experts’ or enter contests so they are a bit jerky

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2025 10:24 am
by Tomcat64
Been meaning to catch up on this one for a while - it's great to see the body in that shiny yellow and the detailing on the engine is awesome.

Looking forward to seeing how the exhaust system works out.

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2025 4:43 pm
by Kevthemodeller
:th: :banana: :pop:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 3:28 am
by Twokidsnosleep
Skip through a bit here, lots of pics

I opened up the driver’s door and made a hinge…or three
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Then found some proper rear drag tires as extras from another kit in my stash!
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3D printed some proper fitting rear wheels for those tires.
Mr hobby surfacer black base and Alclad chrome with Tamiya panel liner

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Then a quick mock up and stance test. As Matthew said, “it looks mean”

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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 8:39 am
by Stokesy44
The wheels and tyres really look the part.

That cut on the door is beautifully done. I would say perfect work, really well done :clap: :clap: :clap:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sun Aug 17, 2025 11:30 am
by Kevthemodeller
Oh yes coming together very nicely :th: :pop:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 4:40 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
I have some Revell spray can chrome coming from the far east….Ontario
Should brighten up somethings

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 4:43 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Last night I worked on the exhaust system extensions
Reference for position
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Aluminum extensions
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Test fit
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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2025 1:27 am
by Twokidsnosleep
Figuring out the rest of the exhaust system.
Bending styrene is NOT my forté…just the s curves from the headers, rest is kit

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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2025 6:36 am
by Stokesy44
Cool work.

Sprue bending is no fun at all. If, like me, you use heat, the plastic goes from rigid to completely soft to on fire in a matter of seconds! :lol:

You get a sweet spot of about 2 seconds in which to work the magic but after that you're calling the fire services!

I wonder if the designer of that exhaust system was compensating for something? :think:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2025 8:39 pm
by RangerNeil
Stokesy44 wrote: Tue Aug 19, 2025 6:36 am Cool work.

Sprue bending is no fun at all. If, like me, you use heat, the plastic goes from rigid to completely soft to on fire in a matter of seconds! :lol:

You get a sweet spot of about 2 seconds in which to work the magic but after that you're calling the fire services!

I wonder if the designer of that exhaust system was compensating for something? :think:
FWIW - I find a bowl of hot water works better for sprue forming. Can be a bit messy so a strategically placed towel is advisable.... :)

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2025 5:29 am
by Twokidsnosleep
Some work on the dashboard. There are eight gauges, kit has four. So have to modify

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Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2025 6:36 am
by Stokesy44
Nice work on the dash, the new version looks very smart :th:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2025 8:06 am
by cor
This is a labour of love. Looking good.

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2025 2:37 pm
by Tomcat64
Awesome work chopping that door open - and yes it definitely looks mean up on its boots.

The detailing on the exhaust system & dash look great too - nice work mate :cheers2:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Wed Aug 20, 2025 4:00 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
Cheers guys, thanks for the encouragement!
:cheers2: :cheers2: :cheers2:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 3:54 am
by Twokidsnosleep
I have a very smart helper who is designing this to 3D print

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Version 3 is printing right now…to get the Cali script

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 3:22 pm
by runnerUA
great post! I am reading it and re-reading it daily now. New addiction. I did not know about zero-designs. They have some great stuff. Scott, thank you!

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 8:24 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
runnerUA wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 3:22 pm great post! I am reading it and re-reading it daily now. New addiction. I did not know about zero-designs. They have some great stuff. Scott, thank you!
Cheers :cheers2: please read on, we are all here to learn and show :th:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 8:25 pm
by Twokidsnosleep
This is version 3.0

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That’ll do!

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coup

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2025 8:58 pm
by bfrd
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 3:54 am I have a very smart helper who is designing this to 3D print
A smart helper would have gotten it right on the first try. :tongue:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coup

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2025 2:39 am
by Twokidsnosleep
bfrd wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 8:58 pm
Twokidsnosleep wrote: Sat Aug 23, 2025 3:54 am I have a very smart helper who is designing this to 3D print
A smart helper would have gotten it right on the first try. :tongue:
Ya well there are a lot of factors to work out…program, slicers etc
Also down to the machine it is printed on and the resin used.
Matthew is amazing for designing this :clap: :thumb2:

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2025 2:50 pm
by Tomcat64
Really nice work both of you...

I thought the plate looked familiar, but I hadn't realised that the license number used was a deliberate reference back to THX 1138 (one of Lucas's earlier movies)

Re: American Graffiti ‘32 Ford Coupé

Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2025 12:01 am
by Twokidsnosleep
Tomcat64 wrote: Tue Aug 26, 2025 2:50 pm Really nice work both of you...

I thought the plate looked familiar, but I hadn't realised that the license number used was a deliberate reference back to THX 1138 (one of Lucas's earlier movies)
Exactly
THX 1138 first movie I haven’t seen or really heard about
American Graffiti was movie #2 for Lucas..then Star Wars