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“In this assembly session you will build the radiator and attach it to the front panel of the engine housing.”
Contents
Parts
Materials: Everything in this stage is plastic.
Assembly Guide (Digital Version)
Build
Assembling the Radiator
Stage 29.1
Fit the Rear Panel of the Radiator into the matching recess of the Main Body of Radiator as shown. The top of the Main Body of Radiator has a pin in the center. Make sure these two screw holes of the Rear Panel of the Radiator are opposite this pin. Secure these parts together with four (4) AP screws:
Stage 29.2
Slide the Radiator Filler Neck over the pin at the top of the Main Body of Radiator, making sure the horizontal pin of the Radiator Filler Neck is facing to the rear, as shown.
Take note that there is a D-shaped hole on the Radiator Filler Neck that matched the D-shaped pin on the Main Body of Radiator:
Then, press the Radiator Cap down on top to secure these in place:
Stage 29.3
Retrieve the Front Panel assembly from the previous stage. Align the four mounting tabs of the Radiator assembly to these matching locations on the Front Panel and secure with four (4) AP screws, as circled below:
Slide the free end of the Expansion Tank Hose (from Stage 28) onto the pin of the Radiator Filler Neck.
Unfortunately, we forgot to do this until much later in the build, but note the arrow in the image above. That pin is where this hose connects.
Stage 29.4
Retrieve your Chassis assembly and turn it over. Remove the one (1) CM screw from the rear hole of the Lower Front Panel Plate (6F) as well as the two (2) AP screws on the ends of the Lower Radiator Cover. Remove the entire Lower Radiator Cover assembly:
Stage 29.5
Turn the Chassis assembly upright again. Slide the socket end of the Upper Radiator Hose over this upper pin of the Water Pump:
Slide the socket end of the Lower Radiator Hose over this lower pin of the Water Pump:
Stage 29.6
Fit the entire Front Panel assembly (with the Radiator from Stage 29.3 above) to the front of the Chassis assembly as shown. There are two pins on each side panel that will align this. At the same time, fit the pins of both Radiator Hoses into the matching holes of the Radiator:
Stage 29.7
Secure the Front Panel assembly to the Left Panel 2 (22B) with one (1) MM screw.
This is your friendly reminder to try using 3-in-One Oil on all screws going into metal:
Secure the Front Panel assembly to the Right Panel 2 (23B) with one (1) MM screw:
Stage 29.8
Carefully turn the Chassis assembly over again and reattach the parts removed in Stage 29.4 above. New AM and CM screws are supplied with this stage, if needed.
Stage 29.9
Secure the Front Panel assembly to the Right Panel 2 (23B) with one (1) EM screw at this location:
Stage 29.10
Secure the Front Panel assembly to the Left Panel 2 (22B) with one (1) EM screw at this location:
Thoughts
This final photo was taken before the Expansion Tank Hose was connected, but it connected now. The engine bay area is now completely surrounded.
Next Up
Stage 30 – Chassis (Middle Section)
I missed the part in the instructions to remove the lower Radiator Cover, which probably explains the difficulty I had attaching the Radiator assembly. Between the very tight fit and the lower hose constantly falling off, it took me about 45 minutes to get this attached.
Though it can be done, I learned a very valuable lesson: Don’t just “read” the instructions first – always review your site as well before assembly!