Drag racing a 65??

I'm new to fords and just picked up a 65 galaxie that I want to bracket race. It has a 352 engine with some kind of cast iron trans. Before I swap in a 460 and c6 I will race this combo. I think it came with a 390 though...

One question concerns the 9 inch rear- Is it a big or small bearing rear, and what spline axles does it have? What gears??
I should mention the car is unmodified.

It looks like a 3 link rear. Are these OK for drag racing?

And beside crites, where can I get performance parts for this car?



<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: 65Bomber on 6/3/05 11:32am ]</font>

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On 2005-06-02 23:31, 65Bomber wrote:
I'm new to fords and just picked up a 65 galaxie that I want to bracket race. It has a 352 engine with some kind of cast iron trans. Before I swap in a 460 and c6 I will race this combo. I think it came with a 390 though...

One question concerns the 9 inch rear- Is it a big or small bearing rear, and what spline axles does it have? What gears??
I should mention the car is unmodified.

It looks like a 3 link rear. Are these OK for drag racing?

And beside crites, where can I get performance parts for this car?


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More than likely it's 28 spline. Not sure on large or small bearing unless you can get the numbers off the tag on the rearend.

if its got 9/16 axle bolts its a small bearing. if its got the 3/4 axle bolts its the big bearing

It'll have the small bearing 9 inch likely a 3.00:1 open diff.

The trans is probably a 'cast iron small case' MX trans, basically a predecessor to the FMX trans. It may not take too well to racing, but with a stock 352 you may be OK for a while.

The rear is a three link which works well if prepped a little. Most of the ones I've seen, they box the lower control arms and make an adjustable upper arm to tune the pinion angle. There are poly bushing available for the rear arms from quickor, or you can adapt late model camaro/firebird rear poly bushings to fit.

You won't need these mods with the 352 and open diff, but the 460 will require some beefing of the rear. Don't put slicks on without upgrading the axles to 31 spline.

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On 2005-06-03 05:47, 63boxtop wrote:
if its got 9/16 axle bolts its a small bearing. if its got the 3/4 axle bolts its the big bearing
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Now that's a way to make it easier.[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_tup.gif[/img] I need to look at mine as I don't remember using a 3/4" socket but do know that they are the large bearing. Been a few years since I had mine out.

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: ShotRod64 on 6/3/05 9:12pm ]</font>

Why would you want to switch from the FE? Cost? I have my 65 going pretty strong right now. I can help you with the rear end modifications as well. My shop manufactures tubular upper control arms and we box in lowers and install urethane bushings in all of them. These basic modifications along with new rear springs will help you launch extremely well. The axles you have are 28 spline and will handle some power, but will become a weak link eventually. Feel free to email me with questions. SgtPeppr65@hotmail.com
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With an original 352 the trans was most likely a Medium Block Cruise-O-Matic...
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I believe its an original 390 car.

I might be interested in the adjustable upper. But I can box in my own rears... Thanks
What do you get for the adjustable upper??

Usually the wagons will have the big bearing rears,my 65 country squire does and all the regular galaxies I owned had the small bearing rears. I never owned one with a 427 as those probably had the big bearings. Jeff
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I'm pretty certain that particular car is not FE powered, nor does it have a stock 3 link rear suspension....[img]/phpBB/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]
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