Projects 1962 Galaxie Wagon...need hambers knowledge

So helping out a friend equals me getting a car!!!!

well to me its a good foundation to a decent criuser, but it need some lovin.

I wanna make roundup this year in it and with that i need some hamb advice and local hambers know how.

so here is my list on what the bads are, but easy to get to be road worthy.

brakes are soft
windshield has softball holes in it
390 engine is shot(PO states the rings are bad) may need rebuilt, bored, etc...
instrument cluster was pulled(parts are ****tered on the front seat, but looks to have everything there)
transmission cruise o matic or ford a matic???? I'm about clueless on the difference. I have the vin and can post if that helps.

I honestly feel like i can get it going, but time may not be on my side.
all opinions and suggestions are wanted. and if any one has some local insight...let me know.

so here are some iphone pics.

 

Glad to see the snow off it in the second pic. That exhaust should be next.

Nice ride!

 

Cool car. As a 62 owner I can tell you they are fun cars. Your car should have a cruise-o-matic. It is a 3 speed transmission whereas the Ford-o-matic is a 2 speed transmission. If you don't change anything on the car, change the master cylinder. The factory fruit jar master is not something I trust. I have had 4 different single reservoir masters fail on me. If I can help in any way, feel free to ask.

 

I has a couple of '64 wagons, great cars overall. If possible, evaluate the 390 (if it is a 390, most came with a 352) to see if it is actually shot. But anything from a 332 to a 428 fits with ease and the 429-460 is a good swap. I liked the Cruise-O-Matics too, always shifted well for me.

I second the motion to upgrade the brakes to a dual master cylinder. Go over the brake lines and hoses while you're at it. The 11" drums will stop well with a general overhaul, spring for new wheel cylinders all around.

Bob

 

Instrument cluster should be an easy enough fix. If you dont have one, get a manual that shows dash ***embly and connections. (electrical AND mechanical, hook-ups etc.) The rest is a day spent with soft rags, mild cleaning materials and your favorite music and beverages.

 

That's an awesome car, I love the 62 and really miss my vert. If the 390, or more likely 352 is shot you'd be able to find a replacement here on the hamb. Those are good motors and have a lot of torque. I'd doubt it's shot to pieces so you might be able to fix it. Good luck.

 

Buddy of mine has a 406 tri power sitting in his garage would be sweet..large bucks tho any bbf will work great.. cool ride..dito on the brakes

 

Thanks guys!!!! Yeah the guy I bought it from said the guy before pulled the 352 out and replaced it with the 390. Lord willing it's going to be a simple rebuild. he replace the water pump and installed a billet radiator(vomit) I'll want to get a more traditional radiator, but that will be have to be later.

On the dual master cylinder setup is there anything i should lookout for or is it a straight swap from the original one? any recommendations on a dual master cylinder? I'll check out the lines for any rot and deteriorations.

Being that the cluster is out would it be a good time to replace the speed cable? if so, it looks pretty simple to get to with the cluster out.

I sourced a new windshield and ordered a weatherstrip kit for the car, but i think, i'm leaving that to a more experienced individual. I dont wanna crease or mar the trim. So anybody know of a windshield guy in DFW area?

 

make sure your gl*** guy knows how to work on old cars, a lot of them don't nowadays

When you put in the dual mc, you split the lines...so you have to remove the T and run new lines to where it was, one for the front brakes, one for the rear brakes. If you get a late 60s master cylinder for drum brakes it should be relatively easy to do.

Look at the speedo cable housing...if it's damaged (heat, etc) then replace it. If not, pull the cable out of the center (from the top), clean it, add light grease to the first 2/3 of it as you put it back in, should be fine.

 

1) Every car dealership has a gl*** shop they deal with. Find out who your favorite dealer's vendor is.

2) These cars used basically the same frame for years. As the '63 used 260's, for the short term I'd hunt a 302 and automatic just to get the car going.

3) I'd check on a master cylinder from a '66 or '67. You'll have to reroute some of the brake lines to fit it. Remember, you're going from one line in to two lines in. I would also go thru the entire brake system. Yes, this is time consuming and can be expensive, but if the car can not stop safely it's not worth driving.

4) As mentioned, unless there is visible damage to the cable, I'd just pull the center, clean, grease and reinstall.

 

double post

 

A couple things to add. When swapping the master cylinder, remember to figure in a tee for the brake light switch. You will need a master cylinder with a 1" bore to keep the pedal effort the same as it was. One from a 66-69 full size Ford will work fine and you will NOT need a proportioning valve as long as you stay with all drums. On the master cylinder, the rear most port goes to the front brakes and and the front port goes to the rear brakes. If you decide on a small block, it is not a direct bolt in. The frame mounts for the engine were changed in 63 to allow for a small block. Since a small block was not offered in 62, it requires adapter plates or custom motor mounts.

 

Congrats.
I have a 61 galaxie and have had a 62 and a 61 parts car. I have an extra gauge pod if you need one. Its out of the 62.

 

Cool car man.

 

Car isad *** just sold a 62 2-door sedan shouldnt have sold it but needed the cash o well sold it to a buddy and he is already workin on it so **** it hang on to that wagon its *****en plenty of parts available for that thing good luck dude!

 

That car looks good. I bought my 64 and changed all the fluids, trans filter and fluid, 4 new wheel cyl, all new shoes, flex hoses, tires, draglink, expansion tank, exhaust, horn, signal switch, flushed gas tank, headlights, brake light switch, 4 shocks, carpet, etc etc etc and I bought the car 2 months before my wedding and it made it there...trailered home! After driving a few other problems came up valve cover gaskets, exhaust manifold gaskets, rear wheel bearing....

My friends and I did all the labour except the exhaust, and I can say that **** adds up. Sure its all regular stuff, but be prepared! My car sat in storage for along time so that didn't help.

If you like it go for it! Looks like a good start for a project.

 

Sweet way-goon, Brakes and motor and get her on the road. If your not sure I can come and pick her up!
Peace my friend

 

don't worry yourself with all that work. just sell it to me! ha ha ! i have been looking for a 62 ford wagon for the longest time. but you know how it happens, you got the money can't find a car. no money, the cars are everywere. good luck with the car. looks good

 

Nice car. Hope you make it to Texas.

 

As a owner of a 64 fastback I can say they are great road cars! that is one sweet wagon!! [on my want list!] Check out the Ford Muscle site! Lots of expert Galaxie folks! best of luck!

 

Anybody local to DFW can help me transport the car to Dallas??? I can pay in booze, money, food. A friend of mine had some things come up. Any help is appricated.

 

I've watched this one get banged around in this North Florida Junk yard to the point of no return!

 

The M.C swap is great, pretty easy too. . . . . . the brakes might might need adjusting

when you say the engine is "shot", do you mean it wont start ? if it does run you could do a vacuum test, compression test on each cylinder and then a leak down test , . . . . . .

I know those FE's like to run with a bit more advanced timing

 

Why is it that just becuz it's aluminum it's like the plague to have in your car (and no, an aluminum radiator is NOT billet)...!!!

Ever heard that old saying: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." That aluminum rad is ten times better than a "trad" original radiator is...don't trash it, simply paint the top of it black and no one will know the difference.

R-

 

The PO stated he did a compression and leak down test, and several cylinders are no good. Its starts right up, but smokes badly.

Good point!!

 

where is it?

 

Its located in Denton Texas right off of 35E right before you get into the 35 split in Denton.

 

What color is the smoke ?

 

good question, but I didnt ask it.