1969 Galaxie 500 - BBF high school/college kid build

[BBR]

Hitch is painted and installed. New plugs installed. Remflex header gasket installed on driver's side because that was the only side that was leaking.

The air shocks are being a little irritating. They will leak down over night. I think the lines are the actual problem. I may get a new line kit and see if that fixes it However, I am going to make some coil spring spacers to give us a better rear ride height without relying on the air shocks.

I added a belt from the crank to the water pump to double us up. So if the PS belt ever breaks or whatever, we still have a belt turning the water pump. We can operate without PS but not without a water pump!

[BBR]

I dove into the rear suspension on the Galaxie today. I popped the stock springs out and did a little "what-iffing" with some springs I had in the shop.

The stock springs are right around 200#/inch. I slipped on a set of SN95 front springs that are over 400#/in. The SN springs are right at the same length. They were too stiff. The rear barely preloaded them.

I ran out to the barn and looked in my pile.of junk and came up with a couple of springs that seemed to be a lighter rate than the SN's. I took them back to the shop, trimmed about 2" off them and slipped them in. Yep. Ride height was perfect and the suspension actually cycles. Haha. I'm guessing they are around 300#/in.

Now we don't have to rely on the air shocks for normal ride height!

[BBR]

I spent some time today driving this thing and man, it is soooooo good. The 4.10's, extra gear and converter lockup are a great combo. I drove it around town and on the interstate. It just works good. Shifts are nice and solid and it barks the 1-2 nearly every time. So happy with how it is working.

Water temp stayed around 180. I may play with the shift points a little, particularly the downshift points, but it's really good as is. Might tune in a tad more converter clutch pressure so it locks up a bit more solidly.

Overall a great day and I can't wait for RMRW!

[BBR]

Trailer lights? Check.

Wired up a trailer light connector today!

[BBR]

I decided to replace the cobbled-together alternator mount I made with one similar to the one's I put on my Mustangs.... The Galaxie has a 1 wire alternator that I mistakenly assumed was in a GM case. Nope it's a Ford case. So I ordered a second one and when it arrived, it was for a GM case also. Great. #3 is on it's way and it is ACTUALLY for a Ford case alternator. I'll keep the GM size ones around for the Ranger.

It was supposed to be a simple swap ..... Nope. Haha.

I also fixed the blinkers (flasher was toast) and installed the Amazon seat cover Judd bought. Looks much better now. Plus... Cupholders!

Last thing on my list is attempt to seal up the leaky china wall behind the distributor.