Customer Reviews

Revell Visible V-8 Engine 1:4 Scale

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

This is an update to the early review of the Visible V8 kit. Revell has moved their manufacturing of this kit to, (surprise) China sometime during the past few years. The kits are now supplied with metric screws and nuts. The kit was designed here in America about 1960 using 2-56 screws and nuts. The metric nuts and screws are larger and will not fit into some of the pockets and holes correctly. This causes some of the holes not to line up correctly requiring some drilling and cutting of the plastic parts. A stupid cost cutting move at best.

Anyway, if you build one of these kits I would go to a hobby shop, buy the correct 34 2-56 nuts,14 2-56 1/4 inch screws,20 2-56 1/2 inch screws, not use the supplied metric nuts and screws. 2-56 Nuts and screws are usually available at hobby shops as most hardware stores don't carry screws that small. Mc Master Carr has 2-56 nuts and screws available on line, but you may have to buy a full box of them. Nylon screws and nuts will also work if needed, but they must not be over tightened. You might also find steel, brass, nylon 2-56 nuts and screws on E Bay from time to time. Steel, brass, and nylon screws can be cut to fit if needed, but stainless steel screws will be harder to cut.

Another reason to use the correct screws and nuts is that the nuts are held in place with epoxy and per instructions, placed in position first. Then when the screws are put in, many of the holes won't line up, but you have already epoxied the nuts in place. This can be a problem. Using the correct screws and nuts is a better way to go as some might fit, but some won't.

The kit will go together better and faster. These kits will fit together if you take your time to trim and pre fit the parts before using the exoxy and styrene glue. I use epoxy and plastic welder rather than the standard model airplane glue. They really do look good when finished.

Update: Dec 22 2010 Do NOT use vegetable oil as the instructions tell you to do to lubricate your Visible V8! Use labelle plastic safe oil or similar. Vegetable oil will trash out your engine after month or two.

I remember the original with little lights to represent spark plug ignition. This is a cost-reduced copy of poor construction and badly fitting components that require a LOT of post-mold re-engineering. It's a great learning tool, but a very badly produced copy of the originaly excellent quality model. I would recommend it only in the sense that it it appears to be the only one available, but it is by no means the quality that Revell used to deliver. Over-all, I would not buy it again.

Despite some of the bad reviews, I purchased this to build with my son. From the first step, this was a disaster. The tiny nuts that were supposed to fit in to the base did not fit for the most part. They had to be filed and cut to accommodate the nuts. The rest of the steps were not any better. For a model that cost $50, this was a tremendous disappontment. I also noted that the people who gave positive reviews did not specify that they built this.

This is a skill level three kit, age 12+ years. Younger children may be ok with adult supervision. This kit will fit together if you take your time. It does not just snap together. Styrene Glue, epoxy, a small file set and a sandpaper assortment is required. You must trim the flash, file down the ejection pin marks and dry fit each part before gluing. If you are skill level three, then of course you already know this. If you have built plastic model cars or planes before, then this kit should be no problem. If you are looking for a simple kit that can be put together in a afternoon, this is not it. Allow a few days of off and on work to finish. I got my first Visible V8 as a Christmas present in 1961. I have built five Visible V8s since and I am working on #6 now. There is a DVD available that gives step by step instructions for building the Visible V8 on E ---, if needed, however with some time and effort, these kits become a nice little model to show to all your friends. Please remember, this is a scale model and not a toy for little kids to play with, even though it is listed as a toy on Amazon. The Visible V8 is a great educational tool for that young future auto mechanic or engineer.

Important product update: May 31 2010. Do NOT use vegetable oil to lubricate your Visible V8 as the instructions tell you to do. Soybean oil will destroy your Visible V8. Unsure about other types of vegetable oil at this time. I would use Labelle plastic safe oil available from Labelle lubricants until a different type of oil can be found that does not melt the plastic used in the Visible V8.

Most of the reviews on this model complain about the difficulty of assembling it. As a reasonably experienced but by no means expert model maker, I knew going in that it would not be a trivial job. I took my time, trimming and pre-fitting every piece carefully. Averaging maybe 20-30 minutes a day, it took me about a month to complete. As a result, it works perfectly, and I'm very pleased with the results. I only have two issues. The first is my own fault - I put the cylinder blocks on the wrong sides. It still works fine, but it caused minor fit issues down the road. The blocks are hard to tell apart; the way to know is to look for the dipstick tube guide on the appropriate side. The other problem, with the model, not me, is that the upper water pump flanges should be screwed on, not glued; there's nothing to prevent the pump from swinging out a bit, so it doesn't sit straight against the block. But the accessory belt still works fine. All in all, a challenging model that would be entirely inappropriate for a kid under 12. A great project for an automotive enthusiast with a little time to spare.

I built one of these as a 14 year old and learned quite a bit about how an engine works. Either my memory has gotten worse or this product has. I don't recall as a teen (about 35 years ago)that this thing was so poorly made. The parts don't snap in or line up properly and there is way too many things that don't fit easily or should have been done for you, i.e. glue nuts in tiny notches. All in all, I was quite frustrated and disappointed. Too bad because it has great potential.

Looking for a model that will keep your child busy yet educated then this is the one. I had one of these many years ago and now I am buying one for my son. This will teach your child how the basic principles of a engine work, because when your all done putting it togethor you can actually turn it and see all the moving pieces that a engine actually does.

Good product, a little more time consuming than previously thought. Need to get epoxy cement instead of regular model cement. A lot of fun though and a really good learning experience. A great way to learn how engines work.

The model was fun to build and my son learned a lot while helping us put it together. It only lasted a week before the moving parts on the inside started catching on each other and breaking.

As 'Netron' mentioned, the biggest problem with this model is that the screws and nuts are over-sized. This is inexcusable. They do not fit without cutting, drilling and filing. Very frustrating to spend all your time fixing this oversight. I can't believe Revell hasn't gotten complaints on this. I made a trip to Lowes and they do not even carry screws that small (2-56), so it was cut, drill and file for me. Got the whole crank assembly working smoothly though, which is where most of the trouble was.

As far as epoxy goes, that's a disaster in the making. I used model glue for the whole thing and super glue to hold things like nuts in place.

I thought the note on the instructions: "Please don't be concerned about the holes not lining up" was indicative of how Revell is handling the quality control on this model.

I, too, had this as a kid when it had little lights for spark plugs and a motor to turn the whole thing. I think this model is the same in that if you were handy and found a little motor at the hobby shop, you could rig it up. Much preferable over the hand crank. I'll report back if I have any luck with a motor mod.

As I get into the guts of this kit (cam, rods, lifters, rocker arms, etc.) I'm left wondering if they should be making a plastic model out of something this complicated in the first place. As ill-molded as these little intricate parts are (the cam is awful and crooked), I can't imagine it all working correctly when finished (which, I'm sure, is why they dropped the motor drive).

All said, though, this is a very cool model and quite a show piece if you can pull it off. Not for the faint of heart though.