Throttle linkage

[Shaun32]

I'm trying to figure out a decent way to make some throttle linkage's on the blown motor for revell sentry olds funny car and everything that I've come up with looks cheesy or totally unrealistic! Anybody have any ideas or tips they would be willing to offer up? It'll definitely be very much appreciated! Thanks for any help offered 

[stitchdup]

I've seen them done with the elements from car headlight bulds and it looked pretty convincing

[Shaun32]

43 minutes ago, stitchdup said:

I've seen them done with the elements from car headlight bulds and it looked pretty convincing

Do you happen to have a picture or can steer me in the direction that may have one? Thanks for your reply

[Zippi]

Shaun, I've been thinking about this as well.  I pulled out some small paper clips that look about the right size for the linkage just haven't figured out how to make the brackets to connect to the carbs. I'm sure there is some aftermarket parts that could be bought but I'd like to try it on my own with what I have on hand first.  Hopefully someone will post a pic of what they have come up with. 

[stitchdup]

2 hours ago, Shaun32 said:

Do you happen to have a picture or can steer me in the direction that may have one? Thanks for your reply

off the top of my head this one stands out in my memory

 

[Ace-Garageguy]

There are several photo-etched generic throttle-linkage sets that contain parts that can be used effectively, and filaments from incandescent bulbs can make very realistic springs.

To make your own, as with everything in modeling, look carefully at photos of the real deal, study the shapes and functions of the parts, and copy what you see in scale.

Perfect little throttle linkage bellcranks, levers, and brackets can be fabricated from .010" to .030" brass sheet stock, but the parts will be very small.

Sharp scissors, jeweler's files, miniature pliers, and micro drills in a pin-vise will be necessary...and most likely some form of magnification.

 

[NOBLNG]

2 hours ago, stitchdup said:

off the top of my head this one stands out in my memory

Wow, some outstanding details in that build! I have some 0.015” guitar string that would work nicely for linkage rods.

[Fat Brian]

Wound guitar strings can also be a source for throttle return springs. Cut the winding from the core with wire stripping pliers.

[Modelbuilder Mark]

24 minutes ago, Fat Brian said:

Wound guitar strings can also be a source for throttle return springs. Cut the winding from the core with wire stripping pliers.

Hmm, never considered that, and I have plenty of that around. 

[peteski]

Guitar string "springs", even from the thinnest strings are IMO a bit too heavy looking for realistic return spring.  Unless it is a large scale model. Light bulb filament sounds like a more in-scale idea.

[mustang1989]

I'm right there with you on building convincing throttle linkage Shaun. In the link that Les posted up on my Maverick I used .015 solder for the linkage along with some PE carburetor levers and pivot points. Before cutting the solder to length I stretched a section of it out a bit to make sure that it was nice and straight. After cutting to length I flattened the ends of the levers to make the attachments a little cleaner. The throttle return spring was taken from a 1:1 scale 3157 turn signal bulb. I carefully bent the ends in a hook fashion and attached it to the lever and bracket. I could've gone the extra mile and used some hardware at the lever mounting points but hey......it's gotta end somewhere. 

Edited April 21, 2021 by mustang1989

[peteski]

Is that a photo of the model, or 1:1 vehicle?  Seriously - I thought I was looking at 1:1 scale.

Only after I started looking more carefully at things like the wiper arm, the cowl vents, and the shape of the water pump, I realized it is a model.

[bill-e-boy]

I have used a number of different sizes of copper wire for winding springs. Typically if you strip some electronics type wire they have 3-7 cores that are fairly small. some are even tinned which looks a bit like zinc plating. Also the local electronics store has small rewind wire in small rolls. Small electrical wire can be used for allsorts - hoses, battery cables etc - and is available in all sorts of sizes - most people chuck a lot of it out

You need to wind the wire around a former such as 1/64 piano wire. The scale size of a lot of throttle return springs is about 3/4-1" dia = .75-1mm in 1/25th

See pix of latest build - linkages are as from the kit but the spring pops out from under the air cleaner when added later

 

[mustang1989]

19 hours ago, peteski said:

Is that a photo of the model, or 1:1 vehicle?  Seriously - I thought I was looking at 1:1 scale.

Only after I started looking more carefully at things like the wiper arm, the cowl vents, and the shape of the water pump, I realized it is a model.

Thanks Pete. It took me a while to get a method that "worked" for me.

1 hour ago, bill-e-boy said:

I have used a number of different sizes of copper wire for winding springs. Typically if you strip some electronics type wire they have 3-7 cores that are fairly small. some are even tinned which looks a bit like zinc plating. Also the local electronics store has small rewind wire in small rolls. Small electrical wire can be used for allsorts - hoses, battery cables etc - and is available in all sorts of sizes - most people chuck a lot of it out

You need to wind the wire around a former such as 1/64 piano wire. The scale size of a lot of throttle return springs is about 3/4-1" dia = .75-1mm in 1/25th

See pix of latest build - linkages are as from the kit but the spring pops out from under the air cleaner when added later

Those are very nicely wound & uniform coils you've got on that spring Bill. Great method man.

Edited April 22, 2021 by mustang1989

[bill-e-boy]

I 2nd - 

Is that a photo of the model, or 1:1 vehicle?  Seriously - I thought I was looking at 1:1 scale.

Only after I started looking more carefully at things like the wiper arm, the cowl vents, and the shape of the water pump, I realized it is a model.

It looks great

[Zippi]

On 4/21/2021 at 5:25 AM, mustang1989 said:

I'm right there with you on building convincing throttle linkage Shaun. In the link that Les posted up on my Maverick I used .015 solder for the linkage along with some PE carburetor levers and pivot points. Before cutting the solder to length I stretched a section of it out a bit to make sure that it was nice and straight. After cutting to length I flattened the ends of the levers to make the attachments a little cleaner. The throttle return spring was taken from a 1:1 scale 3157 turn signal bulb. I carefully bent the ends in a hook fashion and attached it to the lever and bracket. I could've gone the extra mile and used some hardware at the lever mounting points but hey......it's gotta end somewhere. 

Killer engine detail man.

[Shaun32]

You guys are all amazing and thanks for some great ideas and even more amazing pictures! I just got finished moving and unpacked all of my stuff over the weekend so I can get back at it! Does anyone have any clear pictures of the linkage that is used in the newer funny cars or top fuel cars as I can't seem to find a clear picture of anybody's set up on newer cars 

[Shaun32]

On 4/21/2021 at 4:25 AM, mustang1989 said:

I'm right there with you on building convincing throttle linkage Shaun. In the link that Les posted up on my Maverick I used .015 solder for the linkage along with some PE carburetor levers and pivot points. Before cutting the solder to length I stretched a section of it out a bit to make sure that it was nice and straight. After cutting to length I flattened the ends of the levers to make the attachments a little cleaner. The throttle return spring was taken from a 1:1 scale 3157 turn signal bulb. I carefully bent the ends in a hook fashion and attached it to the lever and bracket. I could've gone the extra mile and used some hardware at the lever mounting points but hey......it's gotta end somewhere. 

Thank you for posting this pic! Your attention to detail is nothing short of amazing and I'm with the others that you'd almost need to convince me that this ISNT a 1:1 car but is a model! 

[Paul Payne]

Armature wire for electric motors is great for return springs and other fine wiring.

[Straightliner59]

I used a length of guitar string for the return spring on my dragster. I don't think it's too large, at all. I'm not sure what gauge or brand they are--or even where I got them, anymore. It was just in a baggie of wadded up strings I picked up, somewhere!