Winter Project

[caper150]

Well heres my winter project, it's a 1965 Ford Galaxie 4 door sedan, yes I know not your traditional muscle car from the 60's but one thing about these old Galaxies is they were the beginings of what todays Nascars were designed off of as far as suspensions go and were unbeatable back in the day, My plan with the car is to keep the stock apperance to the car while updating all the drive train to a more modern level, new bigger disc brakes, replace and the suspension parts with new ones, poly bushings and lower the car down for better handling either with air ride or just newer lowering coils from Eaton Springs. So far I have the body off the frame and the frame stripped down for repair and painting and then make it a roller again, install the big block FE that came with the car and then reinstall the body., Here are pics starting from the begining to where I am at now.

The day I brought it home(BTW I orginally bought this as a parts car for my 66 Galaxie and it was too nice to cut up so it's becoming a family cruiser.)

Seperating body from frame:

Frame repair pics:

Frame stripped of all suspension parts and flipped for final repair and paint

Thats as far as I have gotten this winter, as you can see I have moved into the new garage which is so much better that the attached garage I was working in, also I got this car from my neighbours dad who had gotten it from an estate sale and it was on the property in a barn and he took it home and it didn't run and he put it in his pole shed, he had to make room so he pulled it outside with no intentions of doing anything with it. Thats when my neighbor came to me telling me about it and said his dad would probably let it go and he said it would be a waste to let it sit by the barn and rot so I went and offered $400 for it and dragged it home, the plates on it said it hadn't been on the road since 1967 and it does only have 40,000 miles on it.

 

[walrus]

Great car. My buddy had one, the trunk would sleep 4 We used to move a riding lawn mower with it, throw it in the trunk. Its a tank. You can take the car apart with a few wrenches and a screwdriver.Good stuff

 

[bugdust]

Nice progress. My dad had a 65 4dr when I was a kid (mid 70s). It was black with a white top.

 

[Kevin54]

Nice find. That body looks like it is in remarkable shape. What does the floor pans look like? It'll make a sweet family ride when done.

 

[BAILEIGH INC]

Thanks for entering

 

[krooser]

Typical frame rust for a '65... but not too bad.

But the NASCAR Cup cars haven't used any rear steer, strut-rod chassis for over 10 years now... but they did for many years regardless of body make.

Nice car.

 

[caper150]

Nice find. That body looks like it is in remarkable shape. What does the floor pans look like? It'll make a sweet family ride when done.

Thanks, the floor and trunk are great, the quarter needs to be done , if it hadn't been for the frame rust I'd already be driving it, thought it was going to be an easy one,but they never are.

Typical frame rust for a '65... but not too bad.

But the NASCAR Cup cars haven't used any rear steer, strut-rod chassis for over 10 years now... but they did for many years regardless of body make.

Nice car.

Thanks yeah not as bad as the red 66 in the pics, that needs a complete new one, been thinking about a making a new Crown Vic work along with the 4.6 for a motor. Yeah Nascar doesn't now, but back in the day when it was racing LOL it was.

 

[ghlkal]

Very cool

I had a '65 4 door Galaxie with a 352. What size engine do you have?

 

[nonhog]

Awesome ! Thanks for pointing out this thread. When my oldest sister was away for college my dad bought her a 67 Galaxie. When she called she was telling me how cool it was but I'd be mad it was a 4dr (cant lie I was) but I'd be glad it had a 390 !
Today seeing your 4 door I would love to own that !
Keep up with the pics !

 

[Stuart in MN]

For $400 that was a steal! The body looks real solid, too.

 

[caper150]

I suppose I should up date this a bit, the frame is done, coated in POR-15, front suspension is done except for shocks, poly bushings in the entire front end, disc brake upgrade(this might change, found out there is a company doing a huge upgrade using C6 brake parts using the stock drum hubs Kore3 Industries is the maker) any way here are some pics.
A arms with the poly bushings and new ball joints were installed, upper and lower.

lower control arm, braced and new poly bushings and ball joints.

Granada disc brake upgrade with new sway bar end links.

poly bushings on the strut rods.

painted up the rear springs

boxed in the rear trailing arms(just waiting on the poly bushings)

the one and only bad spot on the floor

new one I made and welded in(yes my beads ****, it was my first time using a bead roller, but it getting all covered in bed liner and dynamat anyway.)

 

[caper150]

Very cool

I had a '65 4 door Galaxie with a 352. What size engine do you have?

it has a 352 also.

 

[datsunfan]

I know you said its a sedan, but it kinda looks like a hardtop to me. Maybe the center pillar is just really skinny. Either way, great cruiser.

 

[crewchief888]

brings back memories

my dad had one back in the 70's 390 4bbl dual ex.
got my first driving lesson in that car. for a tank it would fly

 

[caper150]

Update time:

Well I made this thing that they call the Incredible Tip Over Jig, now I am sure some of you may have a problem with this, but it is quite sturdy and strong, I don't have a grand to blow on a auto-twerller and I definately wouldn't put my life in any danger.

Then I was able to atart on getting the bottom all fixed up.

 

[caper150]

Re: Winter Project/All the time project

As I cleaned and repaired the bottom I epoxied it.

Then I just did it in Truck Bed Liner.

Before I filpped it over I decided to repair the bottom of the pass quarter panel.

 

[930dreamer]

Nice work on the Galaxie, my Dad drove one in the mid 70's while living in Lake Tahoe, great summer vacation.

 

[caper150]

I ordered a dog leg for the pass side so I could finish off that side but I got sent the Dr. side instead so I dropped it down to start the other side. Well that all changed once I checked for fitment

I knew it had been repaiered but with what I don't know so I started to do a little digging.

yes that filler is 3/4" thick

 

[caper150]

But I do get a little help now and then.

Don't worry she's just posing, although it is hard sometimes to not have her in the shop, she want to help. and the car is extra secured with my engine lift and chain.

Someone also did a Photoshop of the possible final product.

 

[weicm3]

looks good. how did you fix the crack on the frame? did you have to cut out that small section and weld a thick piece in? and how did you get rid of the rust on it? grind it down and coat with por 15?

what welder do you use?

 

[caper150]

looks good. how did you fix the crack on the frame? did you have to cut out that small section and weld a thick piece in? and how did you get rid of the rust on it? grind it down and coat with por 15?

what welder do you use?

Yes all the frame work was repaired with 10GA metal, same thickness as the orginal frame, all the rusted parts were removed and replaced with new and then gusset and fish plated, I used a wire cup wheel on a grinder to remove all the big heavy rust and then grinded the rest, I did use POR-15, it works better if the metal is not completely clean. My welder is a Hobart 180 220V with gas and .035 wire.

 

[drmoonshine]

I'm gonna point out the obvious so much for a winter project. But really it's coming along, slow and steady wins the race. What color is that green?

 

[DuluthMN]

Looks like a pretty cool muscle car to me.

 

[caper150]

I'm gonna point out the obvious so much for a winter project. But really it's coming along, slow and steady wins the race. What color is that green?

haha yeah, taking a little longer than it should it's a money thing LOL. I tried to change the title but I couldn't. I am not sure of the code for the color it is factory as far as I know.

 

[Lhorn]

Nice looking project. what bead roller are you using?

 

[e-tek]

LOVE LOVE LOVE this project!! The car, the work you've done, the CUTE kids!

As well, I think I coined the term (not the idea) "The Incredible Tip-Over Jig" in my thread of the same name!

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44539

It works - and works well I see!

As well, I'm a HUGE poponent of POR15 on frames and undersides.

http://autobodystore.com/forum/showthread.php?19332-ZeroRust-vs-POR15-and-POR15-for-frames

On the right (rough) surface, it'll last forever, but even if not, is easy to re-apply, and will really keep rust at bay.

I have a 67 Convertible that needs a lot of the same frame work. This winter for sure! Thanks for the inspiration!

 

[e-tek]

Looking through your thread again - it's gonna feel like it's on rails compared to the sloppy stock suspension!

As well, after I went on about the tip over jig - and how great I think it is, I made an "auto-twirler"....which ended up costing me $300 in steel, $50 in bolts, $70 in welding supplies and 30 hours of labour - what a bargoon....NOT!

 

[caper150]

Well time for some updates, I have it all stripped down to the bare bones, windoows and all are out of it, I got a coat of epoxy on the inside and part of the outside and it is temporary on the frame just to make sure it's a square and I can fit the trunk, doors, etc. Anyway on to the pics.

 

[caper150]

I stripped out all the old lead, it may have looked good but it what was underneath that can cause head and heart aches.

you can see the rust that was underneath it and will eventually make it's way to the surface of your nice new paint job.

 

[4StarCstms]

You gonna Re-Lead it or go with All Metal?

 

[e-tek]

Cool lead stripping action! Can't beleive the lengths you're going to bring one this back from the dead! Gonna last forever at this rate!!

 

[caper150]

time for an update.

I stopped using the incredible tip over jig and made a new one

then new quarter panel pcs came in and new dog legs

and I started shaving the door handles and I'll also will suicide the rear doors for a different look.

 

[strnge]

Sweet work

 

[BPJOOP93]

How are the front fenders? i have some parts for the car if your interested. front rad support, cowl, pass fender inner outer, some interior parts too.
cool build will be watching.

 

[ToolBoxTavern]

Nice build.

 

[caper150]

How are the front fenders? i have some parts for the car if your interested. front rad support, cowl, pass fender inner outer, some interior parts too.
cool build will be watching.

Thanks I'll keep it in mind if I do need anything, the front end and doors are completely rust free and I'm hoping to go with a new interior.

 

[russosborne]

Ok, just a tad late.
Why did you stop using the wooden tip over jig?

Just curious, since I am in the middle of building one. I don't have the welding skills or the money to build one out of metal.

The thread that E-tek started is what got me going on it.

Thanks,
Russ

 

[donnie m]

great job ! i've got a simular project going on.....'64 merc

 

[caper150]

just thought I give a little update on this long project. Working 2 jobs 1 full time nights and a PT day job which only really gives me 2 days off every two weeks ( I work 12 out of 14 days) .

I got some epoxy on some of the car.

Got it at ride height (I think)

and started fitting doors.

 

[Kevin54]

great job ! i've got a simular project going on.....'64 merc

Hey Donnie...I'll take the '64 Galaxie off of your hands so you have more room to work on that MercMobile. A friend would do that you know

BTW...can't wait to see the progress on the Merc. It looks to be in fairly decent shape!!!