My Superbird Build

[dreamcatcher]

First of all thanks again to all who shared information with me to help me along. With that said I thought I might post a few pictures to share of my build.I had wanted to get the car ready and bring it down to Branson.I have run into a few snags and now don't think I will make it down but here is the car.I welcome comments on the car.I had only seen a Superbird in person once when I started this car.I and my beautiful wife did ALL of the car ourselves start to finish.Enjoy!

[dreamcatcher]

I have about one year in the car right now.

[dreamcatcher]

More pictures

[dreamcatcher]

Here are a few more.

[69rtse4spd]

Looks good  , like the color,keep us posted.

[dreamcatcher]

This is the engine bay.I went a little off the norm with a 426 six pack.

[dreamcatcher]

I am getting ready to put on the vinyl top and again this will be a first for us.I only have a few more parts to install and then on to the interior.

[mikepmcs]

I really like the color.  You're doing a great job!!

[69rtse4spd]

I like the 426 6-pack, it is different,  could always go with a cross ram someday.   

[dreamcatcher]

Well my thinking was to be different.Everyone seems to have the 440 six pack and I cant afford a 426 hemi.I was going to put a viper motor in it and go resto-mod.How ever I couldn't get it to fit with out mods that were too much for my talents..And I found this motor with a single 4 bbl...I had the six pack to here it is.

[BigBlockSam]

  i like it big time 

[hotrod98]

That's looking awesome. Sure wish you were going to be at Branson.
Are you planning to be at the Monster Mopar show in the fall?
You're more than welcome to park next to me and Allen.

[nascarxx29]

  looking good

[moparstuart]

 LOOKS great don glad your getting her done , I really hope you can still make it to branson even if you have to bring it on a trailer , I have had to do that   


    Keep up the great work
       

[charger_cody]

I'm not digging the low profile wheels. But hey that just my 

BUT,

That car turned out amazing so far. Keep up the good work. I'll be following closely.
 
Cody

[billssuperbird]

 

[tan top]

  like the color!  real nice job 

[bobs66440]

  Holy Smokes! What a transformation!! Huge difference from beginning to end. Major amount of engineering there!! You can be proud of that one!! Wow!

Bob

[Al]

Congrats to you, you are doing a great job. I'm really keen on seeing the finished car. 

[FJ5WING]

looks fantastic!!!!!

[superbirdtom]

Wow   ,  I like the motor combo and think the vinyl top will make it look great.  The ac is a big plus  on those scorching days  you will be glad you put it in. hope you make it to a wingcar meet this summer  you put a lot of work into this  and did everything yourself that you can be proud of. 

[41husk]

Let me know how that AC works, My car had AC and I have a big block AC set up in the basement.  Larry was concerned with the car overheatin and everything I have read suggest over heating was a problem with the non AC Daytona's, due to the lack of air flow through the screen on the nose.

[Charger-Bodie]

Update??

[dreamcatcher]

Coming soon!I had to take a few months off.Was supposed to be ready and going to Branson.I went ill and was totally down for almost 3 months.So a little behind...But it is coming on strong now and so am I.
Thanks

[dreamcatcher]

This is about as updated as I have right now.But I will have more pictures very soon.

[superbirdtom]

boy  ac is the only way to go   looks great don  a one of a kind  built the way you like it well done!

[moparstuart]

boy  ac is the only way to go   looks great don  a one of a kind  built the way you like it well done!

[Highbanked Hauler]

 like the color, beautiful job

[DoubleDlover]

So what are we doing for the rear window moldings??? ron

[billssuperbird]

  let me know on the rear window molding

[dreamcatcher]

Well now I can make us all feel old...I had a glass company come down to install my new windshield in the bird.The guy didnt have any idea how to do it   I had the guy leave yesterday because he couldnt figure it out and was going to mess up my paint job   Said he had never installed a window in a car this old  

[moparstuart]

Well no I can make us all feel old...I had a glass company come down to install my new windshield in the bird.The guy didnt have any idea how to do it  I had the guy leave yesterday because he couldnt figure it out and we going to mess up my paint job  Said he had never installed a window in a car this old 

thats  sad   

[montana bird]

 

[dreamcatcher]

The glass company sent out a different guy today.He knew what he was doing.Did a very nice job and was more careful with my car than I am  These windows are different for sure.I was surprised to find out that with this windshield you instal the rubber seal followed by the window.Then the rubber kind of locks together after it is in.Anyway I am ever so much closer!

[moparstuart]

The glass company sent out a different guy today.He knew what he was doing.Did a very nice job and was more careful with my car than I am  These windows are different for sure.I was surprised to find out that with this windshield you instal the rubber seal followed by the window.Then the rubber kind of locks together after it is in.Anyway I am ever so much closer!

  the new glass is thinner and will most likely allow it to leak around the rubber , plus these old cars leak everywhere else also .

[BigBlockSam]

these old cars leak everywhere else also .

yep , very true 

[dreamcatcher]

   Well....I got this far and now the transmission dont work.I put in a re-built 727 and she no go... Nothing in 1 or 2 or drive and nothing in reverse...figures..This is the way it has been from the start!Engine fired right up and runs fine...but no go.....Full of fluid ...when I put it in gear I felt it grab then nothing...Are there any of those pintos left   I swear I could fall into a barell full of teats and come out sucking on my thumb! 

[Brock Samson]

  I swear I could fall into a barell full of teats and come out sucking on my thumb!

                     

[moparstuart]

 Well....I got this far and now the transmission dont work.I put in a re-built 727 and she no go... Nothing in 1 or 2 or drive and nothing in reverse...figures..This is the way it has been from the start!Engine fired right up and runs fine...but no go.....Full of fluid ...when I put it in gear I felt it grab then nothing...Are there any of those pintos left   I swear I could fall into a barell full of teats and come out sucking on my thumb! 

you might consult with RD on this board he is a tranny expert

[dreamcatcher]

Thanks Stuart I sent him a message.I can do almost anything on a car from engines to body ,paint and interior.But never tried to do an auto transmission before.And don't really want to.Other than it not going its great  And it is done now.Well after I get it to move that is.I will post some finished pictures when I can.Thanks again.

[dreamcatcher]

Well I have added the last few touches to my bird.I installed the fender scoups and A-piller covers.I painted these cheap ones to get by for now.Might change them at a later date when I heal up from this whole project.It took a lot of modification to even get them to fit.But my bird it custom and I dont think they look too bad.

[Charger-Bodie]

Looking great....Now the fun can begin!!

[montana bird]

Very Cool. Now go out and make some heads turn.

[sound5262]

your bird that you have is quiet something. congradulations!!!!! i have a question though, do you put the crome molding on under the air reflectors, and it appeared that your window plug was a janek one, do you cut anything before you install it? we are in the process of test fitting all the parts now. steve

[dreamcatcher]

I didnt use the stainless air deflectors on mine mine are just fiberglass painted,There is a guy on here that sells very nice stainless ones.And yes it is a Janak window plug.There is a piece that has to be trimmed off on the underside of the plug.It is just part of the mold when they cast the piece.You trim it off so the plug will lay flat.No cutting on the car itself.Let me know if you have any questions.I think I have been through it all 

[sound5262]

thanks for the info. i'm assuming the piece you are talking about is the long piece that is hitting the car below the existing window? steve

[dreamcatcher]

Yes that is the piece.Trim it down just so your plug lays flat on the car.That is all the modifing needed for the rear window.

[DoubleDlover]

Hi. well. We still havent seen anything about what your doing for rear window moldings....

[70Sbird]

 
  the new glass is thinner and will most likely allow it to leak around the rubber , plus these old cars leak everywhere else also .


[/quote]
I'm with you there brother
after the downpour that was the trip to Talladega last year the glass compnay that installed my new windshield sealed it agin this fall and found that their original job leaked. the process of sealing new glass intoo and old car seems to be a lost art
Scott

[dreamcatcher]

Hi. well. We still havent seen anything about what your doing for rear window moldings....

I did get a molding of sort that looks good.I will post a picture later.Truth is I had this thing purring and was ready to load it up for the exhaust shop.It quit in my drive way over three weeks ago.I have spent three weeks trying to figure it out.At this point I am about to pull the engine and replace it with a 429 ford engine.No one can figure it out.I can get it running but it pops very loudly out the exhaust.Like it is about to blow apart.I have changed the carb the dist.and even the intake manifold and gasket.I've checked for bent or missing push rods and stuck valves.I can not find anything wrong.I cant keep it running long enough to really trace anything down.I am about sick of the thing and at this point dont really know if I even want it any more.I might belong back in the ford camp I guess. 

[sound5262]

the rear window molding i'm using is made by janak. it's a one piece fiberglass that comes black (at least mine did) i think it looks good and it fits perfect, even better.

[sound5262]

when the window plug was installed, i noticed that the metal frame was sticking up higher than the plug. the area i'm talking about is at the very bottom of the stock window in the middle. does one beat the hell out of this to make it go down in order to make a back panel that fits over the deck covering the speakers as well as fitting up against the back seat. i hope this makes since. any suggestions?

[hotrod98]

Hi. well. We still havent seen anything about what your doing for rear window moldings....

I did get a molding of sort that looks good.I will post a picture later.Truth is I had this thing purring and was ready to load it up for the exhaust shop.It quit in my drive way over three weeks ago.I have spent three weeks trying to figure it out.At this point I am about to pull the engine and replace it with a 429 ford engine.No one can figure it out.I can get it running but it pops very loudly out the exhaust.Like it is about to blow apart.I have changed the carb the dist.and even the intake manifold and gasket.I've checked for bent or missing push rods and stuck valves.I can not find anything wrong.I cant keep it running long enough to really trace anything down.I am about sick of the thing and at this point dont really know if I even want it any more.I might belong back in the ford camp I guess. 

You may have flattened a lobe on the cam or possibly bent a valve. Hope not.

[montana bird]

Hope you were using a zinc additive in your oil.  Us old car guys now have to use a zinc additive in our oil if the oil does not have it. The oil company quit putting zinc in the oil as new cars have roller cams and do not require it. I have a buddy that broke his cam and lifters in his new rebuild and did not use zinc. All rebuild motor company's will not warranty there non roller motors without it.

[dreamcatcher]

No... I dont use zink...never had issues with the newer oil.It just depends on your point of view I guess.Like low sulfer diesel in my 2000 dodge truck.Some say it will hurt it.But at 200000 miles she still runs great!I have built a bunch of engines and never had cam problems with any.I either use castrol or rotella truck oil in most of mine...oil is oil....turned out the back carb was flowing gas into the manifold (un-detected) and fuel fowled about half the plugs they were a mess with big clumps of burnt fuel on them.....also the mallory dist. burnt up...(twice now) and at 75.00 a wack lets just say you couldnt run fast enough to give me another mallory ANYTHING! I had an old points dist. laying there and put it in for now.I changed the six pack to a 4bbl manifold changed plugs and she once again runs like a top.I will go ahead and get the exhaust done and re-work my six pack to go on later.I used some molding on my rear window from a place called flex chrome...not right but looks very nice and I spent under 75.00 and I like it.I hope to post a picture here in the next day of so.What a month!Merry Christmas to all!

[BigBlockSam]

 

[superbirdtom]

don't give up on the mopar engine. get it to a mopar expert and just have it rebuilt. youve gone too far to throw in the towel  it looks great and I like the painted deflectors  looks real custom and goes with the cars theme.    Send  the motor to a good mopar engine builder  and get that 426 back in there.  youve spent so much time and got the ac going an all. Good luck!  let us know what happens

[dreamcatcher]

Thanks Tom,I did get it running good again.I get up set but NEVER throw in the towel....I want to leave it as it is now till I get the exhaust on it.It runs good but I took off the six-pack and went to a point dist. and that isn't how I want it.I am going to send off the 3 carbs to have them redone before I put it back on.And I think I will just go with a mopar electric ignition.I just never installed a engine I didn't build myself so was very unsure about the thing from the start.Then it is my first mopar engine as well so just trying to get used to the change as well.There are differences for sure.But I wanted to try mopar for a change of pace.Will post a picture soon of the rear window trim and on how it turns out. 

[moparstuart]