1964 Galaxie Build

[LuxurySportCoupe]

I've wanted a '64 since I was probably 8 years old, and I managed to pick this one up last summer. It's a 56,000 original mile 390 cruise-o-matic car. The bonus about the whole thing is that it's black, and it was only 2 miles away from my house. 
The only mods so far have been a dash mounted auto-meter tach, as well as swapping the 14in slotted mags for American Racing 200s. 15x8 with a 275 60 15 in back and 15x6 with a 215 65 15 in the front. Fixing power steering leaks doesn't count as a mod, but at least it doesn't leak all over the garage anymore.
The stock 390 runs great, but it needs more power. So this winter I'm planning a 445 build for a spare 390 that I have laying around.
 I'm thinking: a stroker kit from Survival, aluminum heads (I haven't decided on ported edelbrocks or Barry's new heads) T&D rockers, a roller cam (haven't decided on a hyd. or solid roller yet), and a performer rpm intake. I'd like to make just over 500 hp with this setup on pump gas. Any insight or thoughts on the build would be appreciated, there seems to be a lot of very knowledgeable people on this forum.

[jayb]

Great looking car; those American 200S wheels look really nice on there.  500 HP with a roller cam should be easy.  You could also do it with a flat tappet.  Here's a link to the build I did for Car Craft a few years back, that made just over 500 HP with a 390 stroker:

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/ccrp_0808_ford_390_fe/

[LuxurySportCoupe]

Thanks Jay. I remember reading your article in car craft a while back, lots of good info there. I'm kind of shying away from the idea of a flat-tappet cam though, because of all the rumors of break in issues over the last few years. This is going to be my first real performance oriented build, so I'm trying to keep the risks to a minimum.

[falcon428]

Nice looking Ole Gal you have there.  Like the wheels as well.  Good luck on your stroker build, that should put a little fire in her.

[mlcraven]

People have got to STOP posting photos of 63-64 Galaxies -- I'm going CRAZY with desire for one.

Very nice car you've got there, a real piece of Americana.

Off to search '64 galaxie' on YouTube.

Good night. 

[jayb]

Here's a nice '64 Galaxie video.  One of my favorites 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22myUvB3S9o

[BruceS]

Jay, that Cammer sounds goooood! 

[Drew Pojedinec]

People have got to STOP posting photos of 63-64 Galaxies -- I'm going CRAZY with desire for one.
Good night.

nope.  sorry.  You just have to build ya one

[cammerfe]

Plus one on 500HP+ from a 390. I did it with Dove heads on a 390 block with the original crank for 397 CID. Comp custom solid roller, 238-244 at .050, 110 lobe centers and .659-.666 lift. Dove single plane manifold, dyno headers and 850 carb. I asked Comp for the street manners of a 'Double A' cam. Engine sounded serious and idled quite nicely at 800-850. Still making power at 7500. Ran just fine on pump premium 103.

KS

[Lenz]

The Gal looks great!  It also appears that someone has been painting that stretch of asphalt you're utilizing in your "light-em-up" photo .  As far as black goes, I couldn't agree more.  I'm partial to black on red.  Mine's got a strong 390 4 speed setup with a knock thrown in for extra excitement.  Anyway ml, it's like Drew said, ya just gotta build ya one-