A fellow Hamber turned me on to this and I picked this up a few weeks ago just now starting to see what she needs. Vin tag states it came with a 406, which I'm checking now looks original but can't tell yet, crus-o-matic and bucket seats. Hope to have her back on the road in a few years. Have most of the chrome and the ones I don't have are becoming a problem to find so that's why I'm asking. Any of you Ford guys know of any places I can get used parts, some Galaxie gurus out there that has a hidden stash? Floor boards are rust free, little damage as you can see on the front wheel well and some rust on the rear lower quarters. So if you can give me a few suggestions on parts, Thanks!!!!
That's a Sunliner. Skyliner was the retractable hardtop '57-'59. Cool start to what could wind up as a really nice piece. Keep us in the loop.
I will have to dig it out when I get home but there is a salvage yard near willows, Ca that may have something. There is a thread on here about it also. Mike
There is a big 'all Ford' swap meet in Columbus Ohio every Fall the weekend after Thanksgiving at The Ohio State Fairgrounds.
I've been in your spot of needs a few times over the years. I found a Guy who targets 60's full size Ford's and has had everything I ever needed plus. He's a character and knows his stuff come Galaxies. Every part I ever got from him was better than I expected and have been very pleased. It was a one man show, and his secretary is his answering machine. Be prepared to leave a message and he will return your call once he checks for the parts you're asking about. He's Stan the Ford man and his number is 360-687-1216.
There's this guy way north of me... 1963 1964 Ford Galaxie Parts - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive sale - craigslist He has a lot of stuff, particularly small parts... No catalog, you'll need to know what you want. His phone number is 425-238-5088. Says local pickup only, but I think he'll ship smaller parts that can be easily boxed. I see stuff on eBay also, start checking that regularly. I haven't seen much exterior repo stuff yet for these other than scripts and plastic emblems. But there are more than a few vendors that specialize in these that have NOS or good used stock, you have to call around. You probably won't like the prices. The car looks like a very good start. The Stan mentioned above is another very good place to check. I'm glad he posted that, I lost his number... I strongly doubt that it has a 406 however. The top-of-the-line option at the start of the model year (the 427 came a bit later), they weren't offered with the Cruisomatic as it couldn't take the 385+ HP, instead it came with a T10 four speed. They were also solid-lifter-only, aluminum 4V intake IIRC (definitely on the 6V versions), no power steering or brakes, bigger brakes with 15" wheels/dog-dish caps, and distinctive cast-iron headers rather than the square 'log' manifolds used on all the 352/390 FEs. The 406 was dropped when the 427 came out. The 390 and larger FEs had displacement emblems on the front fenders, the 352 didn't. You could install a stroker though...
Thanks for your reply's so far already called Stan he had one part I needed and still looking for more. I've done a lot of net searching even called desert valley. I'll find what I need sooner or later only problem is the more time I'm on the computer thingy just means less time in the garage.
I have a Buddy that has lots of Ford stuff in his stash . Let me know if you can’t locate something I’ll ask him to dig it up
The actual VIN will have the motor ID and that's located on a stamped metal plate right above the heater in the engine compartment. This info should also be on the trim tag below the line you've given as the 'warranty number'. The fifth character is a letter, that's the engine code. The unit serial number follows that. The V8 engine codes are as follows... C = 289, F = 260 (dropped early in the year), X = 352, Z = 390 4V, P = 390 4V Interceptor, B = 406 4V, G = 406 6V. If you find a number there (5, 8 or 9), those are low compression versions, usually for export. A six, 260 and 390 in that order. If you find a E or a V, those were 223 sixes. The tag line you posted is the 'trim' tag. Tells you the body style 76B (XL 'vert), M exterior color (white), 88 interior color (light gold), build date 25D (April 25), DSO 42 (Fargo), transmission 1 (three speed manual... somebody has been at it!) and rear axle 4 (3.25).
Set up an eBay search and check it now and then. Check out Sam's Vintage Ford Parts in Denver. He's plugged into guys who have parts cars, etc.
Found it: Big M Automotive I bought a spare tailgate for my wagon and some trim from him even with shipping to WA the price wasn't bad at all. Mike
Well done looks like a great starting point. I’ve got a 352cu in my Merc. Even in that form they’re a great engine. I was really surprised when I got mine up and running how well it moves an ocean liner down the road!
Ok the tag in the engine bay, 3G69Z?79998,the ? mark is either a 1 or I. Guess the car came originally with a 390. My engine guy has the engine that came out of it and no word as of yet what it is or if its rebuildable. If in fact this was a manual car at one time they did an great job in the swap, no sign of a 3rd pedal was ever there. The factory insulation is still around the brake and gas. Now if in fact the engine is trash hears my options: early 302 built with small block c6 late model 302 with an AOD 351 cleveland 2v heads with c6 429 out of a tbird with c6 late flathead with manual trans and for you Dodge guys 383 or 440 with 727 trans So what about it how about the pros and cons for each engine in the car. Its going to be a very mild custom used mostly for cruzin and maybe an occasional show off.
Good score.....I'm kind of a weirdo in that if it came with an FE, I like to keep it an FE, especially if it's going to be a cruiser. They're damn stout when built right, reliable, and look awesome when done up right.
I'm thinking the history of the car is that some kid or Motorhead had this car at one time. I found a secret compartment in the back seat with 2 beers still there. In the back of the council there is 2 lights hidden in the back made out of cans and the switches for them on the front of the council. There's speakers where they shouldn't be. There's an aftermarket gauge set mounted to the council. Then I also found a bill for the installation of dual exhaust from 1983, the exhaust is still there and in good condition. The beers where in here. and these are some of the parts I'm looking for The c molding on the right could probably be repaired the left in the picture might be beyond my talent. The 2 center parts are missing on one seat.
My opinion here: If you are going to go with a small block I would go with a 351W, more for the torque it will generate. If you can get a Cleveland that would be great but I am kind of a stock guy and I would throw a 390 back into her. I would back it up with an AOD or something similar so you get more than about 2 MPG in her. Mike
I would never put a C-6 behind a 302 just due to the amount of power they use up for no return. I would however put a C-6 behind the FE before I reinstalled the Cruso-matic. The AOD you have will bolt up to the 351-C motor. That's a better combo in my book. First and foremost, I'd use whatever motor I had that didn't require a trip to the machine shop.
390 and C6 drive it like you stole . Aluminum intake and water pump , not much more weight than a 289
If the engine that was in it is rebuildable that's what I'm going to use all I know right now that's it's an early FE the other engines mentioned is what I have available. Thanks for the input and I'll take more helps in the decision making.
If the FE is rebuildable, stick with that and the Cruisomatic. Stay away from the C6 as those are mileage killers even though they're nearly bulletproof. If you decide to warm the 390 up, don't get carried away or you'll trash the Cruisomatic. Stock rebuild with a mild cam will deliver good power without breaking the bank. Personally, I like FEs a lot but they're not a particularly cheap motor to build for power. I'm going to have over $10K into my 445" stroker FE/TKX 5-speed by the time it's in and running. These are heavy cars, I like 'em to be able to move.. Too rich? Best-bang-for-the-budget-buck, I'll second a 351W/AOD. The 302 just doesn't have enough torque for this weight. That's why Ford dropped the 260 so quickly; the car was real slug. The 289 was better, but not by much. You will want to drop the rear axle ratio to at least 3.50, a 3.70 would be better. This will make OD more useful. For longevity, the AOD should be rebuilt with some stouter parts to handle the torque and weight. This a pretty easy swap. If your car still has the surge tank, you'll need a new radiator. You could do a C4 also, but I'd definitely beef one up for this application. If you want even more zip, for about $400 over the cost of a stock rebuild you can build a 396.... Speedway Ford 351W Stroker Cast Steel Crankshaft Gobs of cheap power, mileage be damned? A 429 or 460/C6 will deliver in spades. A bit more difficult swap, but bits to do it are out there. If stock isn't enough, it's not overly expensive to make more! Not a fan of Clevelands, the worst oiling system used in a modern Ford V8. Not a lot available for them anymore...
As to the trans change, 'back in the day' a dealer would sometimes do things like this if it would sell the car. The trim? Send it to a pro for restoring. Won't be real cheap, but very likely less than buying a NOS piece. I know Stan has a guy that does it for him, you might ask him. Repairing that anodized aluminum is harder than stainless and if done poorly will really show.
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