Our giveaway project is back at the Mopar Muscle shop and being assembled. Don't forget to sign up for the drawing at TWSpeedshop.com, and maybe you'll be the new owner of the project Timber Wolf Super Bee!
If you've been following our latest project, you know we're working with the Timber Wolf Speed Shop to build a very nice '69 Super Bee that will be given away to a lucky winner. Although we began this project with a complete, very solid car, we won't say the build has been completely trouble free. Though the car's paint looked ok, it was poorly applied and had to be stripped completely from the car before we could coat it with Diamont FY1 Top Banana paint. The engine was another issue. while our car's engine ran when we got it, the motor was a high-mileage unit and needed a complete overhaul, so we decided to make some performance improvements along the way.
This month, we'll assemble the engine of our Super Bee, install it, and begin the time-consuming task of reinstalling the trim and interior components. To assist with our project, we enlisted the guys at Auto Instruments.com to refurbish our gauge cluster. Classic Auto Air also pitched in, rebuilding our car's factory airbox and installing an all-new air-conditioning system under the hood of our Bee. YearOne provided the parts we needed to make this car show-quality. As far as the engine, we enlisted the help of Auto Performance Engines to perform the machine work on our factory block, and then assembled it ourselves with parts from Mancini Racing and Comp Cams.
We haven't finished our project yet, but we're making good progress. Follow along as we finally get the main components of our project in place, and work on some of the details that will make this a great street/strip car.
You could win this car or one of five other classics at the Timber Wolf Speed Shop.
Go to Twspeedshop.com for details.
No purchase necessary to enter or win in the Timber Wolf Speed Shop promotion. For official rules and info on how to obtain a free code, visit www.twspeedshop.com. Starts 12:01 a.m. CT 5/15/07 and ends 11:59 p.m. CT 11/1/07, or while supplies last. Open to legal residents of the contiguous 48 U.S. & D.C. (excluding VA & MA), 21-or-older, tobacco users, and who have a valid U.S. driver's license. Void in VA, MA, and where prohibited. Sponsor: Pinkerton Tobacco Co. LP.
With the paint applied, we...
With the paint applied, we rolled project Timber Wolf back into the Mopar Muscle shop to be reassembled.
Auto Performance Engines cleaned...
Auto Performance Engines cleaned and inspected our block, then treated it to an .030-inch overbore and line honed the main journals before installing all new cam bearings and freeze plugs. We'll be assembling this engine ourselves with new parts from Mancini Racing.
The cam we installed is a...
The cam we installed is a Comp hydraulic flat-tappet unit that should provide a broad torque curve and good power at a streetable rpm.
We recommend using a dial...
We recommend using a dial bore gauge or micrometer and telescoping gauge to check oil clearances, but if you don't have those precision tools, a set of dial calipers will work. Our clearances were right in the middle of the tolerance, so we were ready to assemble our 383.
Flat-tappet cams require special...
Flat-tappet cams require special break-in lubricant to protect the lobes when the engine is started and broken in. Comp also has break-in additive, which we'll add to the oil before start up.
Another upgrade we're making...
Another upgrade we're making is by adding a Comp double-roller timing chain and gears.
The windage tray was missing...
The windage tray was missing from our car's engine, probably because someone either couldn't get it back in with the engine in the car or because they only had one oil pan gasket after dropping the pan for some reason. We had an extra at the shop, so we cleaned it up and installed it.
We always prime an engine's...
We always prime an engine's oil system after assembly. Make sure you spin the oil pump counter clockwise and turn the engine over while priming to get oil to the rocker arms and upper valvetrain.
We decided to use an Edelbrock...
We decided to use an Edelbrock Air-Gap dual-plane aluminum intake manifold, which should work great with this combination.
After installing the engine,...
After installing the engine, our project car is beginning to look a little more finished. Wanting to hear the engine fire always motivates us to keep working on a project.
Our new Hooker headers are...
Our new Hooker headers are a tight fit and will require the use of a mini-starter, but the performance improvement will definitely be worth the trouble.
To make this a more enjoyable...
To make this a more enjoyable ride, we're installing Hushmat insulation panels under the carpet and inside the car's body panels. This will keep road noise and vibration to a minimum.
By adding Hushmat to the floors...
By adding Hushmat to the floors and inside the doors, we insulate the car's cabin from both road noise and the outside environment.
Hushmat does not require complete...
Hushmat does not require complete coverage of the area. They recommend approximately 60-percent coverage.
Our YearOne carpet set went...
Our YearOne carpet set went in next, primarily because we'd rather lie on carpet than steel when installing the rest of the interior!
Auto Instruments.com did a...
Auto Instruments.com did a great job of restoring our gauge cluster. look for an article on the complete overhaul of our car's gauges in an upcoming issue.
The guys at Classic Auto Air...
The guys at Classic Auto Air did a fantastic job rebuilding our car's factory airbox.
In a factory air car like...
In a factory air car like ours, Classic Auto Air rebuilds the stock airbox but uses all new hardware in the engine bay. A Sanden compressor is utilized and is much more efficient than the original RV-2 compressor, and is compatible with R-134 refrigerant.
The Classic Auto Air air conditioning...
The Classic Auto Air air conditioning is efficient and looks cleaner in the engine bay than factory air when the hood is raised. Look for a future article covering the entire installation.
We still have some details...
We still have some details left, such as installing the rear Super Bee stripe, but the car is coming together nicely. Be sure to read the rules and register to win this beautiful '69 Super Bee.