Return to the BUILD
“In this phase, you will join the four pieces of the left frame to the main chassis. You will also assemble the fuel filter and the fuel lines.”
Contents
Parts
- 15A – Left Side Tubular Frame 1
- 15B – Left Side Tubular Frame 2
- 15C – Left Side Tubular Frame 3
- 15D – Left Side Tubular Frame 4
- 15E – Fuel Filter
- 15F – Fuel Line 1
- 15G – Fuel Line 2
- 3 x CM screws (+1 extra)
- 5 x EM screws (+1 extra)
- 5 x FM screws (+1 extra)
- 1 x GM screw (+1 extra)
- 1 x QP screw (+1 extra)
Materials: All of the tubular frame pieces are metal, but the Fuel Filter/Lines are plastic.
Magazine – Issue 5
- Assembly Guide: Model Instructions
- Track Legends: Mercedes-Benz R107 SL, Chevrolet Corvette
- The Story of Motorsports: Tracks of Europe
- Ace Racers: Helmut Niedermeyer
- Challenging Circuits: Spa-Francorchamps
Build
The Left Chassis
Step 01
The Fuel Filter has a post with a key on it that match the shape of the hole in the Left Side Tubular Frame 1:
Fit the Fuel Filter to the frame and secure with one (1) QP screw:
Step 02
Take the Left Side Tubular Frame 2 and align it under the Left Side Tubular Frame 1 piece as shown:
There is a bend to the Left Side Tubular Frame 2 piece that will line up all the holes. If it is backwards, or upside down, you can easily tell:
Secure the center hole with one (1) CM screw.
This is your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
Secure the second vertical post (left of the previous screw) of Frame 2 to Frame 1 with one (1) FM screw:
At the other end, secure the rightmost vertical post of Frame 2 to Frame 1 with one (1) FM screw:
This is what you should have so far:
Step 03
Turn the frame around. The Left Side Tubular Frame 3 is shaped like an ‘L’ and fits to the right of the center.
Look for the matching mounting holes to make sure you have this in the right place:
Secure the Frame 3 to Frames 1 and 2 with one (1) EM screw at the top, one (1) EM screw at the bottom left, and one (1) CM screw at the bottom right, as shown below.
You may need to bend the frames a little bit to get these holes to line up:
Step 04
The Left Side Tubular Frame 4 fits just the left of the Frame 3 we just installed. Fit the shorter post against Frame 2, as shown:
Secure Frame 4 into place from the other side with one (1) GM screw. Do NOT put any screw in the top hole, that will be used later:
Step 05
Position the completed framework onto the left side of the main chassis (from the previous phase):
I’ve circled the ends that will be attached in this step:
Secure the rear of the Left Side Tubular Frame assembly to the chassis with one (1) FM screw:
Secure the front of the Left Side Tubular Frame assembly to the chassis with one (1) EM screw.
On my model, this required some effort. The hole in the front of the main chassis was easily 0.25 inch (6 mm) too far from the screw. I had to squeeze the front of the main chassis up to meet the screw. Just a heads up, there will be more twisting and bending of the frames to get many of these screws in:
Next, turn the entire chassis over and fasten the bottom of the Left Side Tubular Frames to the main chassis with two (2) FM at the outer holes, and one (1) CM screw in the center, and two (2) EM screws in between.
I labelled all of the screws needed in the photo below:
Step 06
Before starting this step, take note of the semi-circular holes in the round end of the Fuel Lines:
These holes match the shape of the posts on the Fuel Filter:
Then, note these two holes in the Fuel Pump:
Now, take the rounded end of Fuel Line 1 and press it on to the post at the front of the Fuel Filter.
If this doesn’t match up, try the other Fuel Line. They are fairly similar, but will only fit right one way:
Fit the other end into the outer hole of the Fuel Pump.
I had to use tweezers to get this in place, but it does not require glue:
Press Fuel Line 2 onto the rear post of the Fuel Filter:
This time, fit the free end into the inner hole on the Fuel Pump:
Thoughts
This tubular frame feels just as complicated as the real one was! There were quite a few times I had to force holes to line up to get all the screws in, but in the end, it all fit together fine. I was also pleased with the tiny decal on the Fuel Filter.
Next Up
Phase 16 – Frame: Right Frame
The tubular framework is a nightmare. My left side attachment section (part 15) snapped in two places while trying to force the screw holes together. Had to re-order the part. Oh well, onward and upward.