Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

No more <span style="font-style: italic">Beater Bee</span>. Now it will be... <span style="font-style: italic">Beauty and the Bee</span> ! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

You are moving along nicely!!!

I agree with keeping the finish on the rear, Looks great and history is preserved:-)

Ryan

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Beauty and the Bee:-)

I get it:-)

Ryan

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

I like it! Beauty and the Bee!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] OK, been quiet around here, so an update is in order. As of today, it's offikal , the metal work is DONE!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif[/img] I originally thought about doing full quarters on the car but after some careful assessment of what was, and more importantly, what wasn't in front of me, I thought to myself, &quot;Self? There's a whole lot of solid metal here, and it would be a real shame to hack off all that good ole' fashioned Mopar sheetmetal (even though it rusted coming down the line!). I really only needed lower pieces, and one upper wheel well lip. Now, I don't consider myself any sort of a metalurlologist [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] or anything, but I thought if I could patch these things up it would save me a lot of work. Guess what? Quite the contrary. I've put full quarters on plenty of Chargers and Roadrunners, and a full quarter is a heck of a lot less work that three patches on one quarter. And the good news is all the patches are spliced in so from the inside, there's no visible evidence of a patch installed! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif[/img] Factory undercoating, spot welds, and body lines are all intact!
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-dscn1376a.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-dscn1377a.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-dscn1375.jpg
That last photos shows the dent that I have not massages out yet. On that quarter panel I replaced the trunk extension, lower rear quarter panel, and a very small patch on the forward front part of the quarter. I have to get those welded-stud-puller-thingies and try and pull that dent out a bit. The cool thing? This dent is what's responsible for the Gray primered fenders on the Beater Bee. While coming home one night, Gary lost control in the snow and spun off the road. What resulted was that dent, the front fenders being dented, and him clipping a mailbox and taking a chunk out of the hood scoop. Fortunately, he had the smarts to go and get the broken piece and he Bondo'ed it back onto the hood!
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-dscn1379.jpg
After all that work, the bodylines on the quarter are saved!! This quarter also needed a trunk floor extension, lower rear patch, lower front patch, wheel well arch (top 12&quot;), as well as a few inner wheel house patches. The line above the wheel well is a little soft, but I'll sharpen that up when I start blocking it out. It's there, but a little more faint than the rear line. Man.....7ft quarter panels, and they're all convex/concave/conpaininmy...well, you know what I'm sayin'.. I'm thinking of holding a Block Party. Maybe invite a few guys over for some good ole' fashioned block sanding! I&quot;m thinking after a couple two-three beers, I'll probably be farther behind than when I started. Hmmm....I think I'll hold off on that idea for now.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-dscn1383.jpg
I decided a checklist was in order, and I don't know why people make such a big deal about restoring cars. Seems pretty simple to me!!!!
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/haha.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/no.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img]

cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]
Dave

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Looks good Dave. You have that list down to the last few things....what's the hold up? [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

That looks great, keep up the fun posts :thumbsup:

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Looking awesome. I love your posts. Keep up the good work!


Jason

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Excellent work and amazing detail.. Car is gonna be freakin sweet..

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

My spread sheet is a little more detailed:-)

I even have a few tasks to make lists, of lists:-)

Ryan

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Thanks for the updates. Very informative and entertaining.

Motivates me to work on my 69 Charger RT

Lawrence

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Great! Get that Charger going! I've done three. A 68, a 69, and a 70. Glad you enjoy my posts. More to come soon!

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

TAAA DAA!!!!! This is a monumentabulous event! The metal work is 100% done as of yesterday with only one thing left to do on the initial body assembly and that's strip and prime the decklid! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] What did the Beater Bee need? Michigan (and Gary) took a toll on the body. Luckily, having been taken off the road permanently in 1977, the salts couldn't do more damage than they did. A driver's side floor patch, both trunk extensions, the passenger quarter needed 3 large patches (fore and aft of the wheelwell and large top portion of the wheel lip), part of the passenger outside wheelhouse, the driver's side quarter needed a small forward patch, a large rear patch, and lastly, a passenger side window corner. There's some extensive fiberglass work that I need to do on the hood. That thing really has taken a beating! It's good to see the car as a whole entity again! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-julylate4.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-julylate5.jpg
Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

You think YOUR hood is hard to align? Try aligning something with 4 pins that each go in any direction they want to and when you tighten the bolts down, they move, which screws up what you thought you had initially lined up perfectly!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif[/img]
I think I got the gaps pretty close right now, but still some more massaging to do on. These hood pins use 5/8&quot; heater hose as spacers on the hood. The idea is you push the hood down which compresses the rubber (never a good thing..I'm just sayin') and when you install the pin, that makes a nice rattle-free and secure hood hold down. How the heck they did this on the line in the time allowed as the car came rolling down is beyond me. This took 5hrs, 3 beers, 4 lost tools after they became airborne somehow, and a whole lot of words used I never even thought I knew!
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif[/img]
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-julylate6.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-julylate8.jpg


I'm pleased with the line up so far, but there's still some tweaking to do.

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...-julylate9.jpg

The BB is already getting excited about MCACN 2017!!! Most see some previous MCACN passes draped over the front end. I see a hood that needs some serious fiberglass work, the results of someone that doesn't even know how to spray primer, and a very rusty rotisserie that needs some attention after this thing comes off of it. UGh...more work!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/frown.gif[/img]
Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Dave

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-img_5276.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-img_5280.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-img_5278.jpg

In keeping my restoration correct, I took about 100+ photos of my Bee as I disassembled it. Some things really caught me by surprise and others were just head scratchers! This was something I thought was neat and that is trunk hinge grease painted right over with the Hemi Orange! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] Do I do this on my restoration? Of course I do!!!!!

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-img_5282.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-img_5283.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-img_5291.jpg

A few more. Side marker reflectors that show the rear bumble bee stripe folded over to the inside after being applied to the rear quarter panel and then being razor slit in an &quot;X&quot; pattern. That black spray paint you see is from Gary after he got the car. He rattle canned the engine bay, trunk, and door jambs black since he thought it looked better. And a piece of the headliner material hanging in the back. Several Mopars I've had have this either here, under the carpet, or both.
[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif[/img]

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

And probably the coolest thing I've found was this tag hanging in the quarter window for 47 years!!!! It's a telltale clue as to how the car was built too. The tag is a parts tag with the number of the quarter panel written on it. This tag was actually wrapped around the eyelet of the quarter panel edge where the interior panel is welded to. It is also sprayed with Hemi Orange paint as well as undercoating. So the tag was between the two panels prior to paint. The tag is a parts bin tag that says &quot;O.K&quot;. From my understanding, the tags were applied to random parts on a pallet of parts that were &quot;O.K.&quot; to be used on assembly. On a pallet of 20 parts, maybe there were 10 tags installed (just a guess). So not every part had them, but various ones did to let inspectors know that whole pile of parts were OK to be sent to the line and be used. Usually, they are removed but this one wasn't and has been hanging in this quarter window for 47yrs!!!!
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-img_5302.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-img_5303.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-img_5304.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...6-img_5305.jpg

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...7-img_5442.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-img_5444.jpg

Here we see a factory goof!!!! You know these things happen, and here's documented proof! This is the clutch pedal bracket that helps hold the clutch pedal in place. On the firewall there are two dimples (all cars have these). If the car has a 4spd, these dimples are drilled out and then a bracket is installed with two studs. Those studs go through the holes on the clutch pedal assembly and are secured by a nut/washer combo. Well, I guess the line worker snapped a stud off, it was hammered over and a bolt/nut was installed in it's place. The hammered over broken stud was covered with sealer when they installed that in the gaps at the firewall/inner fender union. Pretty cool!!!!! You can see the factory Hemi Orange paint on the boo-boo too! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-img_5443.jpg

Here's the clutch pedal assembly removed, you can see the rate marking on the spring, and the two holes that brac ket goes through are at the bottom of the picture.
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-img_4431.jpg

A better illustration. So do I keep it this way or make it right? Now why do you even have to ask that! Of course it's staying like this!!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Awesome work and documentation, appreciate the information. Can't wait to see the finished product.

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Amazing...absolutely amazing. And entertaining too! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Bashton

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Love the details, love the updates!!

Your posts have mucho personality!!

Ryan

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Thanks guys! Glad you're enjoying the progress! So, today the car is sitting in 3 heavy coats of DPS3055 [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] and I'm all set to start blocking the bad-boy out! I've been doing some stretches, loading up on carbs, and think I'm all set. A Triathlon is a walk in the park compared to blocking out 7.5ft 60's Dodge Quarter Panels! I can tell you one thing, to those that don't know, this stuff is friggin' expensive and the best part? About half of that is going to pile up on the floor.... or in my lungs! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif[/img] Anywhooo....first thing's first and it's mounting up the remaining panels: trunk and front end parts.

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...8-dscn1599.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...9-dscn1601.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...0-dscn1595.jpg

Now it's onto everyone's favorite game: Align that Door! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif[/img]

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Door Alignment 101: Let me walk you through a day in the life of a highly skilled bodyman. To start, you need to BE one with the door. Don't fight it, embrace it. OK, after you get all kumbaya'y with your sheet metal shell, get out the sockets, scrap wood shims, and oh what the heck, the 5lb sledge. So where to start? It's all about Geometry here (I flunked math), and once you master that mathematical thing, door alignment is nothing more than a walk in the park with your favorite dog. Just always remember who walks who! Lets see. If I raise this end a bit here, that drops the back end of the door. OK.....so, then if I raise the back end, then the front should go down? No? Let's see...loosen this...let me (wedge)...wait....Oh, that needed to be tight first. OK, let me try that again. Loosen this, raise (bang bang bang) that. Hmm...that's worse than it was before. The top is out too far and the bottom is hitting the rocker. Well lets (rachet rachet...bang bang) tap this...( bang ) whoops! Well, that's what bodyfiller is for. That should line up nicely aaannd, it doesn't. OK door, my New Jersey is getting up here....let me try and lower this part and push (bang bang) this in....OK, why is the trunk out of whack now?!?!?!? I didn't touch that!!!!!! Starting to feel like that dog is walking me!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/mad.gif[/img]

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-dscn1572.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-dscn1573.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...3-dscn1574.jpg

How did this get done on the line so fast??? This took me 4 days, 12hrs, and I can't even tell you how many Scotch and Sodas!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/hmmm.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/whistle.gif[/img] In all seriousness, I'm very happy with this side's door alignment and now it's onto the passenger side. More to come....

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Still a few more tweaks here. The front end is about 3/16th too low, so I'll need to raise that up. But I know what'll happen. I'll do that and the Challenger's hood won't shut! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/thumbsdown.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img] Yeah, I don't know why that would affect a totally different car, but it will! The good news about the panel alignment is looking at survivor cars, their alignment wasn't exactly spot on either. You remember that Lexus commercial with the ball bearing running over the door gaps and such? I'm aiming for that...with a bowling ball. I think I'm almost there!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img]

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-dscn1581.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...5-dscn1582.jpg

Oh, and that big unsightly gap at the bottom of the door? Welcome to Mopar B-Bodys!!! I've had 7 of them and they're all the same. Chargers, Bees, Roadrunners....all the same deal. Not sure why they left such a big gap underneath. OK, a little more work needed on this side and next week I start block sanding with a little help from the wife!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Brilliant. Lots of hard work but that's gonna be beautiful when done.

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

And just to add a bit of nostalgia to the restoration, I hung the fender tag by a wire under the dash like they did as the car was coming down the Lynch Road factory back in the day! An interesting thing about fender tags: Lynch Road cars were coded differently (different format) than the other assembly plants and they also got attached to the car in a different way. St. Louis car, etc, were attached to the fender by one screw and the tag was bent up so it could be painted underneath the tag as the car was going down the line. Those tags have a distinct bend on the tag and one painted hold down screw. The other screw is not painted since it was installed after paint. Lynch Road car tags were hanging somewhere inside the car, usually under the dash, and only got a dusting of paint depending on how much overspray made it to the tag. Some show more paint than others, but both screws are unpainted and no bend in the tag corner. So next time you're at a show you can flex your Moparness! Or you can keep your mouth shut and just enjoy the nice cars! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif[/img]

https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-dscn1600.jpg

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Looks good!

Here is an important tip.......put weight in the doors when you align them to mimic the weight of the glass, mechanisms etc. It makes a big difference.

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

This is the first time I saw this post. Really cool to follow and a super awesome build. very excited to see it completed.

Kenny

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RS_COPO_Canuck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Looks good!

Here is an important tip.......put weight in the doors when you align them to mimic the weight of the glass, mechanisms etc. It makes a big difference.</div></div>

HaHa -- absolutely ... learned that trick when hanging doors on 70's Camaros/Firebirds. Those doors are heavy as hell and need the weight to align properly. TAZ [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Nothing like having a helper out at the shop to let you know that you better get a move on! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/grin.gif[/img] I jump back in on the Bee here shortly after the Thunderboid' is painted. I'm hoping to have the Bee in paint this fall. Practice on the 'Boid, Per-Fect on the Bee Er...something like that. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/dunno.gif[/img]
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-isitdone.jpg


Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Your project is unBEElievable:-)

Your helper is lovely:-) (hope to see you guys at MCACN again this year)

PS: helpers normally wear Daisy Dukes when sanding Hemi Orange MOPARs....... ?

Ryan

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Very NICE helper. The lady has chop, chop written all over here pretty face!! TAZ [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

I bet none of you even noticed there is an arm reaching up from the engine compartment.... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: RS_COPO_Canuck</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I bet none of you even noticed there is an arm reaching up from the engine compartment.... [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/smile.gif[/img]</div></div>

A what?

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

Ha! Yeah, that spindley stalk is connected to me. I continue the block out next week after I paint the 57 T-Bird this week. Anxious to get back on it. That girl cracks the whip pretty hard! Wait, that didn't come out right [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/crazy.gif[/img]

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

[img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

Bet they'd like to see the pictures I have...but guess they'll just have to wait until the new MCACN 2016 magazine comes out!

If you aren't on the MCACN mailing list, (or not sure if you are) sign up now to get your very own FREE issue! http://www.mcacn.com/carshowmagazine.htm

Bashton

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

I can't wait for my copy to come here!!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] And here's another to add to the &quot;pic&quot; pot! I was very fortunate to have Gary's daughter, Kristen, come out for some photos with the car right before I paint it. She was so excited to see her Dad's old car and she's planning on being there next year during the unveiling! I have something special planned for that!! [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img] [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/cool.gif[/img] I was able to walk around and tell her about a few things on the car that Gary relayed to me. She laughed, and I could tell it meant a lot to her and the whole family that this car is coming back to life. I'm anxious to get back on it!!!!
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...1-dscn1730.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...2-dscn1737.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...4-dscn1739.jpg
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/pics...925_103038.jpg

Cheers [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/beers.gif[/img]

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

The best part of bringing an old car back to life is sharing it with the family who used to own it!!!

Now back to grinding crust and dust, and rust, and Zeebart&quot;, you get the picture.

Ryan

Re: "The Beater Bee" becomes "The Better Bee"
 

I'm with her as I can't wait to see it done as well.