22 December 2017

Build the Back to the Future DeLorean - Issues 015-018

Build the Back to the Future DeLorean, Issues 015-018
Two shipments this month, the latest one arrives just in time for the holidays.  I also got the license plate and binder that they owed me from past shipments.  Both the plate and binder are not that impressive.

The license plate is the OUTATIME plate that you have seen, but it has printed registration stickers. Yep, not 'real' stickers.  It looks good in photos and from far away, but not great when you really take a look at it. Good enough to pass.

As the for binder...well, they used images of the Time Machine that are totally wrong. I will get into it more some other time, but I have talked to people in charge of this official artwork and obviously, they did not listen.  Anyway...we should get to the issues...the real issues...I mean, the build.

Issue 015 contents
Issue 015 - Rear Wheel

Finally, the last wheel.  We have done this three times so we know exactly what to expect. 

Assembled rear wheel mounted on frame assembly
Now that the fourth wheel is installed, we have a frame with wheels that kinda looks like what one would see in a DeLorean show room.  A nice presentable way to display the model, so far.

Issue 016 - Transmission


Issue 016 contents
I had the honour to work on this piece for a video shoot...but, that episode has yet to air.  Now, I get to build it again with the knowledge of some problem areas.

Pro tip:  It is suggested that some of the screw bosses be pre-tapped before final assembly.  The holes are a bit tight and the screws need a little encouragement to go in all the way.  A proper screwdriver is also very helpful.

This issues also introduces the new EP screw.

Issue 017 contents
Issue 017 - Engine

The next few issues will deal with the engine area.  I guess we kinda already started with the transmission.  The Oil Pan and front wall of the block are assembled directly onto the transmission.

Note that the instructions show DP screws used to assemble the front wall of the engine.  This is an error, they mean DM screws.  Your kit will (should) come with the correct DM screws.  Speaking of screws, new FP and JM screws make their debut in this issue.

Issue 018 contents
Issue 018 - Engine

This issue has you building the side walls and back wall of the engine block, along with the manifolds, and oil and fuel filters.

Pro tip:  This is another area where pre-tapping is recommended.

Your finished assembly of issues 016-018 should look like this:

Most of the engine block with transmission
Keep holding on to those inner drive shafts from the last shipment.  The parts you worked on this time are not ready to mount to the frame just yet, so you will have some floaters for now.  The parts from Issue 001, 002 and 004 (Rear Fascia, Left Front Fender, and Reactors) will not be used for a long time, possibly another year, so keep those in a safe place.

After four months and five shipments, this is the last issue of the year.  Folks in UK and other markets are somewhere in the 50's with their builds (they have yet to use the parts from 001, 002, 004).  Apparently, Eaglemoss has new subscriptions available in the US as past subscriptions were sold out.  If you missed the first subscription window, you can might be able to start in January.  Head to https://www.deloreanbuildup.com/form-4.php to start your subscription...if you want.

Now for the screw count, after 18 issues:  19-AP, 7-BP, 2-CP, 5-AM, 6-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 7-DM, 2-DP, 1-FM, 3-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM, 1-EP, 1-FP, 1-JM

to be continued...

08 December 2017

Build the Back to the Future DeLorean - Issues 011-014

Build the Back to the Future DeLorean, Issues 011-014
The most recent shipment of Issues 011-014 came in a nice little box.  The box is perfect for storing the booklets until I get my binder...which they still 'owe' me.  Speaking of IOU's, I received another IOU, this time for the OUTATIME licence plate.  So, for those keeping count, that is two things they owe me.

Issue 011 contents
Issue 011 - Engine Support

I like this easy build.  This one is pretty straight forward, and introduces a new screw.

Assembled engine support
Depending on your luck, you may have an easy time with the screw bosses.  It might be a good idea to pre-tap the bosses.  Having a better screwdriver, with better leverage, is also a plus.

Once the engine support is assembled, it gets mounted onto the frame.  We will check on that towards the end.  On to the next issue.


Issue 012 contents
Issue 012 - Rear Left Suspenson

This is a difficult one to tackle.  There were many screw bosses that needed pre-tapping.  Some screws just did not want to screw all the way down easily.  Again, a quality screwdriver helps.

Screwing into the top linkage is quite a challenge.  There is not a lot of area on the linkage to grip, and the hole, with paint, is very snug.  For the inner drive shaft, there is virtually no grip and leverage to torque the screw.

Another area that needed attention, or modification, at least for me, was the caliper and disc.  The registration holes were too small for the pins to fit into.  I had to scrape paint, maybe some metal on the disc and modify the pin on the caliper to make it fit.

Most of this assembly is done on the frame.  The rear springs, while awkward, were easier to work with than the front springs.  Oh, there is a new screw introduced in this issue.

Issue 013 contents
Issue 013 - Rear Wheel

Same method as the front wheels, this is pretty simple.  Heck, you have done it twice before.

Assembled rear wheel
 I imagine that the other rear wheel will be the same.

Issue 014 contents
Issue 014 - Rear Right Suspension

Now that I have tackled the rear left suspension, the right side should be a little easier.  Knowing what obstacles will be coming helped in this issue.

I think the rear suspension assemblies have been the must difficult, so far.  This is based on fitting and torquing the screws.

The completed frame, up to Issue 014, looks like this:

Frame with rear suspension and one wheel installed
The rear wheel fitted in nicely and there was no need to adjust or modify like I needed to for the front wheels.

Note that I do not plan to make modifications unless structurally needed.  As mentioned, there are many other builders that are doing excellent mods such as painting the frame the correct colour, and other modifications.

There are also two 'floating' pieces, the Inner Drive Shafts:

Inner Drive Shafts
The next shipment of issues 015-018 will include the transmission (Issue 016) for the inner drive shafts will mount to.  I am pretty sure that 015 will be the last wheel...unless there is a spare.

Now the fun part, the extra screw count after 14 issues:  16-AP, 6-BP, 2-CP, 3-AM, 6-BM, 4-EM, 4-CM, 4-DM, 2-DP, 1-FM, 2-GM, 3-HM, 2-IM

to be continued...

05 December 2017

FUCK YOU, STOP CALLING ME - December 2017

Final month of 2017. Everyone is on holiday mode...except for the fucking telemarketers.

5 December 2017
  310-849-4134  Beverly Hills, CA - Obviously, this is another spoofing call. I wonder if these fuckers are going to pick it up for the holiday season, like how some retailers hire more staff to cover for the mass shopping season.  Oh wait, telemarketers are usually bots.  Do bots have holidays?  I know they sometimes get weekends off. Sometimes I get calls on Saturdays. Where am I going with this?  No where, just like telemarketers.  Fuck you!

  423-405-1562  Athens, TN - There is already an Athens in Greece. Come up with your own name.  Fuck you!

8 December 2017
  310-849-9946  Beverly Hills, CA - For those keeping track, this is the eleventh time this number has called, dating back to May of this year.  Fuck you!

11 December 2017
  201-579-9233  New Jersey - Not one...

  201-579-9233  New Jersey - Not two...

  201-579-9233  New Jersey - Not three..

  201-579-9233  New Jersey - But four calls from this number.  Oh, it gets better.  Four, count them, four calls in less than a minute.  Fuck you!

I downloaded an app called Call Protect which pre-blocks number s that are from potential fraud callers. My phone did not even ring, just a notice...well, four...that calls were protected.  It is free, try it.

13 December 2017
  310-849-8558  Beverly Hills, CA - Another spoofed number from Beverly Hills.  You know the routine...it looks legit, but it is a fucking telemarketer/spam.  Because of the spoofing, the app I downloaded did not pick this up as a potential fraud.  Oh you fucking telemarketers, are so sneaky.  Fuck you!

19 December 2017
  310-849-9946  Beverly Hills, CA - Look who called again.  That makes it twelve calls since May.  While most, okay, all telemarketer calls are annoying as fuck...I actually look forward to getting calls from this number.  I am not sure what the record of calls from a single number is, but twelve calls in seven months should rank in the top three.  There is a really good chance that I will get another call before the end of the year,  Until then, fuck you!

20 December 2017
  801-797-3714  Utah - Call Protect listed this as "Potential Fraud" and "Threat:  Severe".  Fuck you!
  
26 December 2017
  310-849-1194  Beverly Hills, CA - Awesome, a Boxing Day call.  So did they have Christmas off?  Another spoofed call, but this time from a new number.  Fuck you!

28 December 2017
  510-947-0283  Walnut Creek, CA - Lori is a cunt!  Another text from fucking Door Dash, courtesy of fucking Lori.

Funny thing is, I did a search for this number and this site came up.  Yep, they have texted me before with Lori's fucking dinner.  God damn it, I want to kick Lori in the throat.  Then, maybe Door Dash can feed her dinner through a tube.  Fuck Lori, fuck Door Dash, fuck you!

 29 December 2017
   323-642-1423   Los Angeles, CA - Oh, this is going to sound crazy, but I got not one...
  
   323-642-1423   Los Angeles, CA -  Not two...

   323-642-1423   Los Angeles, CA -  Not three...
 
   323-642-1423   Los Angeles, CA -  Not four...
 
   323-642-1423   Los Angeles, CA -  Not five...

   323-642-1423   Los Angeles, CA -  Not six...

   323-642-1423   Los Angeles, CA -  Seven!..Nope, just kidding, not even seven...

   323-642-1423   Los Angeles, CA -  Not eight...

   323-642-1423   Los Angeles, CA -  Not nine...

   323-642-1423   Los Angeles, CA -  Ten!  I got 10 calls within a minute that was fortunately Auto-Blocked by Call Protect and marked as Potential Fraud.  Never even heard the phone ring.  Call Protect, thank you.  Telemarketers, fuck you!