1969 Galaxie 500 - BBF high school/college kid build

[BBR]

I elected the drill a new hole just below the speedo drive to mount the sensor. The speedo drive hole was just too high compared to the center line of the output shaft.

I drilled a half inch hole and it's almost aimed directly at the shaft center line. Then I took some aluminum and made a plate that will support the sensor. I still have to come up with a way to seal it, but I don't think that'll be a big deal.

[BBR]

This trans was rebuilt at some time in it's life. I may have just never been installed because I have had the pan off and valve bodies off and there were no extra parts.

[Captain]

And......
Where is that Missing Spring?
Spare Parts Loose in the Trans not Good Either.

[BBR]

Started messing with the E4OD we hope to put in this car. This particular one does not have a provision for a speedo drive or output speed sensor.
I popped the tailshaft housing off to see if I could come up with a way to retrofit a reluctor wheel of some sort.

WhileI had the tail shaft housing off I noticed that the parking pawl does not have a return spring. I always knew this transmission had a rattling noise in it but I thought it was in the torque converter. I only heard it when I was decelerating. I'm glad it never decided to put itself in park while I was moving!!

I designed a relector wheel for it and printed it out with my 3D printer. If it fits as expected I'll have send cut send cut one out of steel.

[BBR]

Judd's current list of upgrades/changes:

1. Remove A/C condenser and install a normal trans cooler.
2. Maybe remove inner fenders (to improve engine bay airflow)
3. Fuel pump upgrade (mech or electric) and revise fuel line routing on engine to keep it away from hot stuff.
4. Swap in E4OD trans and controller.

I really think the e4 swap is going to be good. It has a lower 1st gear than a C6 that will help yank this boat off the line and the 0.71 overdrive will make those 4.10's seem like 2.90's on the highway.

[BBR]

Actually, now that I look, there is a 3/8" available. That could be an option as well. If we go that route, I'll put the sump on the shelf for another day/project.

[TheSilverBuick]

I've seen people use those. But still a little skeptical for EFI use.

Is there not a galaxy 3/8 sender option? I believe the sender is on the side of the tank and easy to get to.

[BBR]

We talked about how to move more fuel in the Galaxie because it is acting like it is running out of fuel. Likely the stock pickup is partially clogged. We considered just pulling it and replacing it, but it is only 5/16". Seems pretty tiny for anything performance oriented, especially considering how far it has to move fuel.

In the diesel world, bolt-in sumps are common. Motion Raceworks makes one but we don't need a -12 feed. I found one on SWAG offroad as a kit for $45. It is a -8 feed and also has a provision for a return should we ever need one. The kit has the sump, fittings and even includes the hole saw!

He might upgrade to an electric pump or a high volume mechanical pump because the current pump is just a $10 Rockauto special we bought to get the thing running.

[BBR]

More post-Raceweek racing.

Judd and I went to the Flashlight Drags last night at Amarillo Dragway. There was a pretty big turnout. Judd raced his 2015 GT in the 14.0 index. It normally runs mid13's here so he wanted to be able to run right on the index.

He lost in the finals when he dumped too much speed at the finish and the other guy nipped him at the line. Highlight of the night was playing the breakout game with a Tesla and beating him. That dude entered all 5 index classes and that sorta ruffled everyone's feathers. No one was sad to see him lose and Judd was fist pumping out the window when he pulled up.

Overall it was a good event. A little disorganized at times, but they held it together and put on a good race. Lots of people came out to watch and the weather was decent, although it was a little chilly at ~1am when our class finished.

[BBR]

Judd and I did a little Raceweek-fail recuperation last night at Amarillo Dragway. Judd brought the Galaxie out and made a few passes. This is only the second time it's been to the track. It was the longest trip he's made in it so far and it got pretty warm. We had some issues with fuel percolation and delivery, but we had a good time.

I made the mistake of thinking it would launch fine on the Nitto drag radials I have. Nope. First hit was a wheel spinning/hopping/dirt falling out launch. Oopsie. Car noses over about the 1/8th.

Next time Judd eases it off the line and it runs better. Still noses over but he manages to run a 14.93 @ 82.

My guess going into the evening was mid-14's and it has plenty of 1/8th mile to do that and more.

The best part though, was that it put a big ole smile on Judd's face.

[BBR]

I am gonna hang onto it for now. I later went through it and corrected it's problems.

[Captain]

I might be interested in that 650 if it's rebuildable.......
I thinking that .030 over FE engine for the 66 F-100 might be running rich with the NIB 750 Holley that we have.....

[BBR]

Since I robbed the valve covers from this car to put on the 83GT, I bought Judd a new set.

This car is at my house so we pushed it back a couple of feet and he installed them. It was pretty warm out there. Haha.

Once he was done, we got it fired up. It sounds so good. Haha. Amarillo Dragway has a test-n-tune Friday night, so he wants to take it out. I hope the weather cooperates.

It will be interesting to see how it runs. The only other time he has ran it was right after we finished it and we had all sorts of issues. I think all the problems are sorted out now, so it should be fun.

Given our elevation and DA, I'm gonna guess mid 14's. I have no basis for that number, it's just a wild guess.

It ran 15.88 previously with the stock iron intake, a horribly functioning 650 Holley and shifting at 4500-4800 rpm. With the Brawler 850, Weiand Stealth, a completely different ignition system, and the ability to rev to 5500+ rpm, it should pick up quite a bit.

We will probably poke the wheels and drag radials from Greenbean on it. They have never been run.

[BBR]

Judd sealed up the rear china wall and drove it back to the house. No more leaks!

Dang this car sounds good!!!

I did notice a GIGANTIC set of black marks on the street by the shop that he "knows nothing about". haha

Unfortunately, his winter break is over and has to be back at school today. Dropped him off at the airport this morning, but it was good to have him home and playing in the shop for a bit. Prob won't be back until his summer break. Hopefully he will be off when RMRW is going on. I would like to have a co-pilot!

[BBR]

Judd had an oil leak at the back of the motor. We thought it was the plastic oil pressure gauge line, so he put a copper line on yesterday. Nope. It's the manifold to china wall leaking. He is going to clean it up and and try to seal it up today.

He took it on a drive and he was very happy with how it ran. Water temp stayed low and consistent and he said he drove it kinda hard. I can attest to that because I could hear him.

I have not figured out how to embed Youtube shorts.....

https://youtube.com/shorts/eTtSUoYjHVk?si=a24C1X-xtE4p7UsC