Guys.  Thank you.  I've never dealt with FE engines however I'm an all out ford guy and always been.  Keeping in mind my engine building experience started in the mid 80's with VW Beatle I dont mind hydraulic cams and electronic ignition.  From there I've been all about small block fords mostly 302 based with a few 351's and one Boss 351 Cleveland.  I've also owned several older cars , 70's and 60's but never as a project.  My main squeeze project the past 15 years has actually been a 3.8 ford powered thunderbird.  Its currently 4.2 liters, turbocharged, solid roller and running on e85 with an aftermarket ECU.  Truth be told I destroyed my car in the process.  Used to drive sooo nice.

So the Galaxy is really me wanting a nice cruiser. Why touch it if its running strong?  Its old.  I want to refresh the heads with hardened valve seats, springs and good valve seals (thanks for letting me know I actually have good castings).  If I'm going to do that I may as well swap the cam out and change the intake.  Thats one heavy intake I'm told.  I would leave the exhaust alone but then I read how the exhaust port configuration was and well.  The ignition?  One last thing to go wrong.  I built this 94 mustang for my brother e few years back.
 From the rear to the engine.  Re used the stock distributer.  I'm in NYC he's in Ft Myers FL.   I decided to surprise him by driving it down to FL.  He had no idea I was giving him a car.  Well I hit NC and the distributer went.  The one thing I didn't change.  Soo... As far as the serpentine setup.  I just like them better than v belts.  Again its probably my hot rod upbringing and experience telling me Electronic ignition, hydraulic cams, 1 belt that will stay in place when I do the alternator upgrade. Obviously I don't want it running worse but a little more power and reliability never hurt anyone.  I wont win any races and I'm ok with that:O)

Am I wrong that the 64 engines were painted black originally as this one is blue? Im going to check casting Numbers when Im back at the car just to see if things match up.  Suppose I could get a Marti report to see exactly what I have as well.  Its also a bucket seat car not a bench.  Not sure if that means anything.


So it seems I'm on the right track for at least what I want.  I dont have an expected HP number so no disappointments here really.

Ill get some pictures up when I get back to the car.  I live in Queens NY and the car is stored out in eastern LI for now until it gets a bit nicer.  Kind of why now is a good time to get the approach taken care of.

Really appreciate the help.  You all have some crazy nice rides.  Truly jealous.

Just wanted to say I am totally new to FE's and picked up a stock 64 Galaxy sans 2.5" dual exhaust and an edlebrock carb.  I also haven't played with a car with points and a carb since about 1994.  All that being said I did about a week of research and came up with a plan of action here.  This will not be a fascinating or exciting build, but more of a mild, I need to make it my own (and a bit more reliable) build.  I want to keep it simple for now as I end to go a bit overboard and cant leave everything alone.  So here is the plan and constructive criticism/advice is welcome.  Just as a side not the car has low miles (may or may not be true), and runs strong.  The motor however is blue and I thought black was the block color in 64 so something may have been done or changed or just painted.  Ill eventually find out

Ignition/Distributor

I was thinking an aftermarket with HEI built in such as the one DUI offers.  Ive used them in the past on many cars and been happy.  I see many point towards the Petronix however.  Pros cons?  I absolutely want to get rid of the points

Heads

Well, Id like to get a set of heads, have them rebuilt with hardened exhaust seats and perhaps minor porting valve job, correct springs for cam etc.  Ready to put on my engine. Is there e particular casting I should look out for.  Again mild so low rise or mid ride heads im guessing.  Does that affect the intake choice?

Intake Manifold

From what Ive read a performer RPM would likely be the only way to go for a new intake that is relatively not to crazy or crappy.  Would a used Street Dominator be good?  What should I keep my eye out on used? I heard stock is not bad either for what it is but I want to used it as a door stopper)

Camshaft

Looking towards a hydraulic camshaft.  Considering the mild build ,intake choice, heads and I dont plan on doing a converter anytime soon, whats a good grind?  Im figuring also to keep it 5,500 or under for longevity sakes.  Now if the cam is on the verge of needing a converter I can live with that as the transmission will be addressed eventually. Figuring something in the low .500" lift range high 200" duration 112 lobe separation range.  I've read custom grinds are obviously best suited but I really dont want to go there at the moment.  Id also replace the chain and pushrods.  I dont believe its solid lifter (doesn't sound like it) and I really don't know at the moment.

Carburetor

The edlebrock works fine but I was thinking of upgrading to a Holley 750 vacuum secondary. I would really like to upgrade to a simple EFI setup in the future but for now I want to stick to the above.

Fuel pump

Looks original just like most everything else.  Perhaps just a highflow replacement?

Accessories

I plan on doing an alternator conversion.  I also really like the not to obnoxious looking serpentine belt setup.  That being said Id also go with a new waterpump and power steering pump.  Any recommendation as to the type of pump I should upgrade to?  There are a few options I can fit.

Headers

Nothing crazy I just cant believe how awful the factory design manifolds seem to be.  Advice on brand? Sanderson?

Radiator

Ill go with an aftermarket aluminum with electric fans.  I've seen a few ideas online to go with.

Gearing

I will likely upgrade to something based on the cam but not till after the above is done.



The above is basically the steps I want to take relatively soon with the car.  Likely wont happen till it gets a bit warmer but will happen relatively quick once I start.  Alot of the above I want to do for reliability with a bit of performance and engine appeal thrown in while overcoming some of the motors short comings.  The next step after this is to just go a bit crazy and I dont need another car like that.

Anyway thats it for now and thanks for all the help Im surely going to need in advance