12L3 score

[NomadRacer]

I got my eBay gloves on yesterday and beat out some guys (21 bids) for a 12L3 for $65.01! from all the pics it looks like it's in fairly good condition. I hope, in this case, that pictures don't lie. I have my heart set on a Porsche 930 Lemans body from oldrc. I have no idea what would be "period correct electronics".

[Coelacanth]

Nice score! My first AE build was that same car, it began with a carbon chassis parts lot I found on eBay with a bunch of extra parts, and one of the chassis' was an RC12L3. That's the one I decided to build. The other chassis plates were Speed Merchant. Yours looks to be in a little better shape than what I started with, and certainly more complete. I'm looking forward to your project.

I resto-modded it here, turning mine into the first ever convincing hobby-grade Buick GNX RC car:

https://www.rc10talk.com/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=35541

I didn't use period-correct electronics, mind you.

[mk-Zero]

Nice score!

Is this the body you plan to use?


It was real tough for my not to use that one on my 12e. I may have to do another pan car just to use that body too. I'll be watching your build with interest.

[NomadRacer]

Yes, that's the body. I all ready have a paint scheme for it.

[NomadRacer]

I got the car! It's not in bad shape at all, will know more once I tear it down and seriously clean it up. It has been raced, lots of glue on the bottom to clean off the chassis plate.

[NomadRacer]

Worked a little this morning by stripping down the front end. The parts look good with the exception of one ball stud, looks like some pliers marks on it. I'll have to replace it along with all the ball cups There is some rust on the turnbuckles, no worries, Dremel to the rescue. Time to dunk everything in a denatured alcohol bath. The king pins need polishing and the springs replaced. The springs (.018") have been under tension for who knows how long.

[NomadRacer]

Parts are soaking so I figured I'd make something real quick.

I took some 3/16" alum. rod, drilled and tapped the ends for 4-40. In the center, I cut three grooves since it's a 12L3. The new brace tube is the same weight, 1.7g.

[XLR8]

denatured alcohol

[NomadRacer]

denatured alcohol

Denatured Alcohol...

It's used as a fuel for camping stuff, as a solvent, to clean windows without streaking, etc. It has no water in it like rubbing alcohol. it works great for removing Sharpie pen marks from lexan bodies.

[NomadRacer]

I got these axles today from eBay. I don't like the outside e-clip retainer, I will constantly be looking for it every time I take the wheel off!

[XLR8]

denatured alcohol

Denatured Alcohol...

It's used as a fuel for camping stuff, as a solvent, to clean windows without streaking, etc. It has no water in it like rubbing alcohol. it works great for removing Sharpie pen marks from lexan bodies.

Hmmm, well I should give it a try. I've always used simple green, dishwashing soap, paint or lacquer thinner to clean my barn finds (depending on how aggressive I need it to be). I never thought about using denatured alcohol. Thanks for the tip!!

[Coelacanth]

WD-40 is fantastic for degreasing and cleaning up gunky parts. I use that sh*t on everything.

I never use it as a lubricant, though. Just as a cleaner/degreaser.

[NomadRacer]

After the front end parts were scrubbed up and king pins polish I assembled with all new hardware and my custom brace. The angled servo mounts are CRC # 4017. It's coming along pretty good now. I have some parts coming soon so will work on the T-Bar next.

[LoboNYC]

After the front end parts were scrubbed up and king pins polish I assembled with all new hardware and my custom brace. The angled servo mounts are CRC # 4017. It's coming along pretty good now. I have some parts coming soon so will work on the T-Bar next.

This front end is looking sharp and lethal

[NomadRacer]

@LoboNYC

Thanks!

On the hunt this morning, turned up a used Kimbrough servo saver and a like new Futaba S9650 digital servo (actually, two of them!).

I have to replace the T-bar One of the tweak screws is installed crooked, causing some de-lamination. I found a new one on eBay for $2.98 shipped.