1977 McLaren M24 Indy 500 - Tom Sneva

[modelcarjr]

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This kit is from Silver City Models and is a complete resin and white metal kit. I've wanted to build this car for many years as it it the car that Tom Sneva drove in 1977 and broke the 200 MPH barrier for 2 laps in qualifications on the first Saturday, Pole Day. I know because I was there. I positioned myself about halfway up the 1st turn stands toward the short shute side so that I could see the inside of the wall in the apex of the turn. In those days, you could tell how fast a car was by how close to the wall the front tire was in the high part of the turn. And when Tom drove that day you couldn't have put a sheet of paper between the front tire and the wall! I wouldn't be surprised it there wasn't a tiny black mark on the wall. In those days, the first day of qualifications was a big deal and the place was at least half-full of race fans. Everyone was standing and gasping on every lap that Tom turned that day! He is forever in the record books as the driver that broke the 200 MPH barrier. Although A. J. Foyt won his fourth race that year, Tom finished a strong second as he would two more time before finally winning the race in 1983. 

I found this one with a mention by Kyle Dehart and his excellent build of one of these kits from Silver City Models. That's when I finally got smart. Since it cost about 3 time what a normal model would cost, I mentioned to my son that I would really like to build this kit. Low and behold, it showed up for Christmas!  Thanks, son!  Now to get started. I looked at the wheels and they are not exactly the same as a photo of the car. The wheels are a straight 4 spoke cross and the ones in the kit look more like a 4 spoke star. So since I have a few Indy kits I found a set of wheels in a Penske PC-6. But one of the front wheels had bad sink marks in it. So since I have two PC-6s I took the good wheel from each kit and now I have one good set of wheels. I also won't have to clean up the resin wheels and tires. I have already built one PC-6 so I may use these other kits for parts. But I could still build one with bad wheels. 

I've primered the body after cleaning it up ( I am going to minimize the vent holes from the inside) and have started building the engine. I thought I would do any wiring since its hard to drill holes in solid resin. that might end up with broken bits and scarred cam covers. Now I am thinking that maybe I could take an extra Cosworth plastic engine and substitute it. That way I could add more detail because it easier to drill out the spark plug holes in plastic. So that is where I am. I have ordered decals from IndyCals and I am still waiting on a part from Silver City that didn't make it into the box. I want to wait on decals before I try to pick the blue paint that I will need. So that is progress so far!  Thanks for looking! 😎

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[406 Silverado]

Welp.....I got my question answered as to if there was a thread started on this one. I've never heard of this kit manufacturer before but it looks like they've got their act together. That's a great idea on using a plastic engine in there so you can detail it up without worrying about damaging any resin parts. This had to be a welcome surprise as a Christmas gift JR. Beautiful work so far and am looking forward to more.

Bookmarked......

[handiabled]

This will be one to watch for sure! Bookmarked!

[kyledehart5]

Fantastic!! I can’t wait to watch your progress on this one. Kevin’s kits are great. And I think you’ll find that his resin is quite nice to work with. It even drills pretty easily. He also has the wider spoke wheels as well that come in one version of the kit although your wheels that you’ve borrowed from the other kit look really nice. You’re already off to a great start.

[modelcarjr]

Thanks, Joe, Handlabeled and Kyle! I appreciate your comments!

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So to accomplish substituting some plastic for the resin I saw that I couldn't use the extra Cosworth engine/transmission as it was much too long. So I decided I would cut the engine from both the resin and plastic transmissions. I have to use the resin transmission, suspension as it is shorter and the suspension is not as wide as the engine/transmission from the extra Kraco kit that I have. I am also hoping to use the headers and crossover pipe from the Kraco kit because the crossover has a connection to the turbo which is necessary but is not present in the Silver City resin kit, probably because its close or connection is not visible. I don't know. Also the front cover of the plastic kit gives me a little more room when attaching the front of the engine to the body so that I have about 1/16" more room for the rubber tires in front of the side pods. So all of these things seem to make sense to me and I can also add the plug wires - holes are already drilled!  Thanks for looking! 😎

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[modelcarjr]

One other thing; Does anyone know if a wastegate is on this engine? I can't find a photo of the rear of this engine.

[modelcarjr]

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I spoke to Kevin at Silver City Models and he indicated that He couldn't find a photo of the back of this car either.  He thinks it might be an internal wastegate but is sending me an external one when he sends the plenum that was left out of the kit originally. I should have them be Tuesday. In the meantime, I have completed everything I can complete on the engine.  I added plug wires, attached the headers and crossover pipe, sway bar, shocks, and of course, the cam covers, distributor and injectors. 

I couldn't drill out the middle part of the sway bar (the silver piece) so I substituted a piece of brass tubing. I'll paint it aluminum when I finish detail painting the rest of the engine. I can't add the turbo until I get the plenum but I think I try to cut a piece of the other crossover pipe from the Kraco kit to connect the bottom of the turbo to the crossover pipe. Hopefully, it will sit just over the top of the sway bar. In the meantime, I'll paint the headers, assemble the wings, and start getting the body ready for paint. Thanks for looking! 😎

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[kyledehart5]

Good work! Going to make me want to go pick up one of these kits from Kevin. But I have too many Indy car projects already! Can't wait to see you get some color down.

[handiabled]

You scratched together a great looking drivetrain! Suspension and plumbing really add to the look.

[406 Silverado]

That was very cool of Kevin at Silver City Models in helping you out with this JR. That powertrain is looking GREAT and I just love watching these cars come together. Beautiful work bud.

[modelcarjr]

Thanks, Kyle, Handlabeled, and Joe! I appreciate your comments!

Well, I'm kinda in a holding position now. I ordered decals for IndyCals but I think Michael must be on vacation because I haven't heard anything from him all week after ordering decals on Christmas day. I want to match the blue paint to the decals and I have a feeling I may have to mix up some Testors for airbrush to match. Kevin said he thought he used Tamiya Light Blue but that looks too dark to me. Its more like Petty Blue which I don't think would match the decals. Also waiting on the missing parts from Kevin which should be here maybe Tuesday. I've built the wings and painted them and painted the white on the body. Looks like the only other thing I can do is sand down 4 tires and get them ready for decals. Since I'll probably be up till Midnight with fireworks going off, I guess I should get started! Thanks for looking and Happy New Year!

[406 Silverado]

Dec 31, 2023 17:56:42 GMT -5 modelcarjr said:

Thanks, Kyle, Handlabeled, and Joe! I appreciate your comments!

Well, I'm kinda in a holding position now. I ordered decals for IndyCals but I think Michael must be on vacation because I haven't heard anything from him all week after ordering decals on Christmas day. I want to match the blue paint to the decals and I have a feeling I may have to mix up some Testors for airbrush to match. Kevin said he thought he used Tamiya Light Blue but that looks too dark to me. Its more like Petty Blue which I don't think would match the decals. Also waiting on the missing parts from Kevin which should be here maybe Tuesday. I've built the wings and painted them and painted the white on the body. Looks like the only other thing I can do is sand down 4 tires and get them ready for decals. Since I'll probably be up till Midnight with fireworks going off, I guess I should get started! Thanks for looking and Happy New Year!

  I hear you about being up until midnight with the fireworks going off. Looks like it's gonna be a LONG night with the dogs. 

I'm looking forward to seeing your progress on this one when you get to it bud. Happy New Year to you as well big dog. 

[kyledehart5]

I wouldn’t be surprised if Michael is on vacation. I will say a couple times I haven’t been notified about things that have shipped from him and then they show up in the mailbox. Always end up getting them though. In other news, Kevin now has a website, so if anyone is interested in his offerings go check him out there. Believe it’s silvercitymodels.com? Which will just make it easier for me to spend money. 🤦🏻‍♂️😂

[modelcarjr]

Thanks, Joe and Kyle! I appreciate your comments!

I was wrong, I received the decals from Michael at IndyCals on Tuesday. They look great, as usual, and I also bought the tire decals because I can't use the extra set that I bought for the Kraco special because before 1980 the tire didn't include Eagle. But the blue does look like its the grabber blue similar to Tamiya #23 Light Blue. It looks a lot lighteron camera. So I order some paint and it will be here next week. Its either that or drive 30 miles downtown to buy it in the only hobby shop that carries it in Houston.

Today, I also received the plenum and some other parts from Kevin at Silver City that had been left out of the orignial shipment. So I am almost set to complete this one and I can work on the engine and tires but will have to wait until next week for paint. thanks for looking!

[kyledehart5]

Lovely. Won’t take long now.

[modelcarjr]

Thanks, Kyle!

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Still waiting on paint but I have made a little progress since receiving the parts that were missing from the original kit.  The engine is complete but I can't attach it to the bulkhead until I paint the body. I glued a piece of crossover pipe from the extra Kraco kit underneath the turbine to crossover the sway bar to the crossover pipe that crosses over the transmission.  So now that I have crossed over to the crossover, the circuit is complete! The exhaust comes out of the cylinders into the pipes, then into the turbo, is supercharged and into the plenum, then into the injectors and finally the cylinders and the cycle starts again. I am going to assume that the turbo contains an internal wastegate so when disengaged the wastegate will open and the exhaust will exit with the normal exhaust.  That causes that whining sound and backfires when coming to a yellow, i think. So other than that I have sanded out the tires and will apply the decals but I can't do much more until next week when I receive paint and we are suppose to have a hard freeze next week. Thanks for looking! 😎


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[kyledehart5]

That is a great looking piece!

[modelcarjr]

Thanks, Kyle! I appreciate your comment!

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Got the paint yesterday and today it finally warmed up enough for me to paint! Looks pretty good and I just need to raise the blue outline on the engine cover which I already have done but don't have a photo.  The resin doesn't like paint so I hope I can rub this out without chipping or peeling any paint. I did soak it in Bleche White, washed with soap and water, and scratched it up with some sandpaper but that may not have been enough. But so far so good - only a couple spots that I'll have to touch up with a brush but they are not easily visible anyway. Thanks for looking! 😎

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[kyledehart5]

That looks truly excellent!! Sounds like you prepped it pretty well. Out of curiosity what primer are you using? It is true I’ve found my resin Indy cars (from multiple manufacturers) don’t like to be handled. I’ve taken to wearing gloves once I have the paint down.

[handiabled]

Paint looks great! my last experience with a large painted resin piece was miserable. I hope this cooperates with you

[modelcarjr]

Thanks, Kyle and Handlabled! I appreciate your comments! Kyle, right now I am using Dupli-Color Primer at $12 for a 12 oz. can. Bettere than Tamiya at $10 or better for a 5 oz. can. I haven't found a suitable generic or house brand to replace the Brite Touch I was using. Its hard to believe but it was about 15 years ago that I was using WalMart's primer that was made by Valspar for $.99 a 10 oz. can and it was great primer! The good ol' days!

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Finished rubbing out the body and other parts (after 3 coats of clear yesterday) and then painted the interior and bulkhead with a brush. Touched up the edges with a brush. I also picked out the seat harness. Nothing I can do about the ripples in the resin. Maybe I should have sanded it more smoothly with sandpaper and a file but I didn't really see it. The first photo is a before and after rubbing out the sidepods. A few other photos of progress. Thanks for looking! 😎


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[kyledehart5]

By the time you add all the parts and pieces and get it decaled up no one will ever notice any ripples in the resin. I think it already looks really nice rubbed out. Great work!!

[handiabled]

Jan 19, 2024 21:41:04 GMT -5 kyledehart5 said:

By the time you add all the parts and pieces and get it decaled up no one will ever notice any ripples in the resin. I think it already looks really nice rubbed out. Great work!!

I agree with Kyle, one you have this busied up I don't think it will be noticed. The color/shade you chose look like a great match for the original!

[modelcarjr]

Thanks Kyle and Handlabled! I appreciate your comments! The color is Tamiya TS-23 Light Blue. Kevin at Siler City said that is what he used but in his instructions, his pictures look a lot lighter. But when I received the decals they were a dead match for TS-23. Camera photos can be very tricky. My photos look darker than the color actually is.\

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Making some progress as construction is moving right along.  The engine has been glued to the bulkhead and the suspension supporting rods have been attached. Finished the front suspensions too. I attached the left brake rotor to the wheel because the axle on the kingpin is not long enough to attach the rotor there to mount the wheel later. So after I decal the tires I can mount both wheels but I don't want to do that until last. I made sure that the engine cover would fit before doing anything else and did have to remove the engine initially to lower it a bit so the engine cover would fit. Finally, the cockpit detail have also been added; pedals, shifter, dash and steering wheel. No decals for the gauges so I just painted the white metal black and left the gauges in white metal. Thanks for looking! 😎

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[kyledehart5]

Outstanding update!! Really looking the part now! I love this build. Did Kevin or Kevin’s instructions mention using some tiny bits of styrene glued to the bottom to set ride height? It is the easiest way with his kits to ensure you get all 4 tires on the ground. Sometimes the white metal needs a bit of tweaking. At any rate, you’re doing a truly magnificent job on this.

[handiabled]

This is progressing wonderfully. I hope the fit from here on out does fight you

[lyle]

Coming along nicely. These subjects are not something I build, due to the unlimited opportunities to break suspension, etc. I do enjoy watching you guys do amazing work, though.

[modelcarjr]

Thanks, Kyle, Handlabled, and Lyle! I appreciate your comments! Yes, Kyle, I have some spacers on the bottom of the tub. I think they help I just hope I can pull them off when I'm done!

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My goal for today was to have all the construction done so I could apply decals tomorrow and finish this one up. I now have all the construction done. I had a surprise when I test-fitted wheels and tires as one side on the rear was close to the sidepod and the other was not. The first two photos shows the before and the last two are the after shots. The problem was that the wishbone under the transmission has come unglued and the suspension had gone caddy-wampus, that is, closer on one side than on the other. I should have noticed this when I cut the supporting rods for the suspension and I noticed a little difference from side to side but didn't think anything about it. So I straightened it out, reglued the wishbone on the bottom of the transmission and shortened the supporting rods on the left side and now everything is square! Thanks for looking! 😎


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[kyledehart5]

You’re doing a great job on this one!! I leave my spacers on and paint them black. No one picks my models up and looks underneath them. And resin is heavy so the spacers take the weight of the car instead of the white metal which can sag over time. Fantastic work getting this one squared up and on its wheels.

[handiabled]

With your adjustments this came together great!!