63 Galaxie 500XL

[ToddK]

Took my Galaxie to a test and tune for a couple of passes to see what potential it had. Apart from swapping on a pair of slicks and bias ply front tires, it was just as I drive it on the street. First pass I goofed up big time on launch, as I forgot to release the line lock, but once I got going it was okay. Second pass I got the eye/brain/hand/feet co-ordination working a bit better. Revved the engine to about 3500rpm and quickly let the clutch out, but not side stepped. The car lifted, but then bogged. There was also a loud bang noise I heard, but not sure what caused it. Once the engine recovered it ran fine for the rest of the pass. Back in the pits, we inspected the car but couldn't find any damage. I decided that I didn't want to try and more passes, as the noise scared me and we have a full car show and cruising season coming up down here.

I think the engine bogged because I didn't give it enough rpm on launch, plus I am using an aluminium flywheel. But my clutch is not a slipper style, so I was a bit worried of breaking driveline parts.

Here is a picture that was taken on my second launch. My friend took the pic, but he said the front end lifted higher after he took it.



Anyway, here are the details

Performance Summary:
      1/4 mile ET: 13.16              1/4 mile MPH: 111.2
      1/8 mile ET: 8.66               1/8 mile MPH: 87.3
      60 foot time: 2.16
      Track: Perth Motorplex
      Weather Conditions: 79.5F, DA 1335'

Vehicle Use: Mainly street

Vehicle Specifications:

Model Year: 1963

Model: Galaxie 500XL

Weight: 4200lbs as raced.

Engine Details (link to post in Dyno Results board if available: 406/462 http://fepower.net/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=1498.0

Transmission: Wide ratio toploader

Torque converter details (if automatic):

Clutch details (if manual): Ram Powergrip HD

Driveshaft: 3.5" steel

U-joints: 1350

Rear end type: Ford 9"

Differential type: Truetrac

Gear Ratio: 4.56

Axles: 31 spline Moser

Front tires: 570/15

Front wheels: Torque Thrust D 15x4.5

Rear tires: Hoosier 28x9x15 Drag

Rear wheels: Steel 15x8

Front suspension information: Stock

Rear suspension information: Stock

[Nightmist66]

Cool car Todd! Always nice to see air under the tires.

As far as the clutch you have I also have a Ram Powergrip. I notice unless I slip the clutch 1300-1500rpm taking off, it will chatter. Does yours do that? Did you do any break-in on your clutch? I only have about 200miles on mine. Just had it out today and still chatters unless I slip it. Otherwise seems fine, nice and smooth shifting between gears.

Edit: it is actually around 1100-1200rpm where I slip it.

[ToddK]

My clutch has been good from the day it was installed. I have about 500-600 miles of street driving on the clutch, so it is broken in as far as I am concerned. Definitely no chatter on the 2 launches I did yesterday. It also shifted good at about 6500 rpm, but I was not power shifting. Again, I didn't want to break anything.

[Nightmist66]

So, putting aside launches, it never chattered on "normal" take-off from a stop? That's the only time mine will do it, starting out easy in first or reverse. Thanks.

[ToddK]

No chatter at all.

[Nightmist66]

Ok, thanks. I have read others have experienced the same as me. Some say the chatter goes away in 200mi, some say it never goes away. Just wanted another point of view. I have the Ford Racing billet steel flywheel, don't think that would cause anything though. Maybe I'll just beat on it and see what happens.

[thatdarncat]

Nice car Todd, congrats getting it to the track. One thought I have on your "bang" on launch, I can't tell by the photo, do you have Cal Tracs or any kind of traction bars? Many years ago when I first started racing my car I had a mysterious bang on launch I could hear in the car, but it always ran fine down the track. Eventually I noticed under the car a bare spot on the floor above the rear u-joint. The axle was wrapping up enough on launch the u-joint would hit the floor for just a brief moment. Maybe take a peak under the car? Initially I solved it with a pinion snubber ( like the old school Mopar guys used ) When Cal Tracs became available I installed them, definitely the best solution. Just a thought.

[Stangman]

I will second that about the snubber and just wanted to say love the 63 Maybe some more pics of engine

[ToddK]

I haven't had a chance to have a good look underneath, but the pinion touching the floor was another source of the noise we suspected. The rear suspension is a new set of 5 leaf springs, otherwise all stock. I'll have a good look next week when I get home from work.

[ToddK]

Here are a couple of pics of the engine bay.





I might add that there isn't a snubber on the pinion, but I do have one on my 63 Dodge. With the snubber, a set of Mopar super stock leaf springs and Rancho shocks, that car will 1.5sec 60' all day, so I know they will work. Just need to decide what path I am going to follow with the Galaxie, as I know that Caltracs work great too.

[Nightmist66]

+2 or 3 on the Caltracs! I don't think I will ever go back to the old slapper bars. Nice engine pics too, btw.

[63gal427]

What about a pic of the car on the day?
Oh here it is.   

[billtroth]

Very nice car and great e.t. for that heavy a car.  One thing you might want to check are the spring perches.  Unfortunately I learned what happens if rear axle rotation breaks the stock perches; broken pinion gear, yoke and transmission tail shaft.  Calvert makes heavy duty perches and they are only about $40 but you will have to cut off the stock ones and weld on the H.D. Calverts.  Some guys have told me welding in some steel plate to "box" the stock perches.

[BruceS]

Lookin good Todd!  You've given me a goal to shoot for on my 63 Galaxie fastback.

Bruce

[Stangman]

Thanks for the pics Todd, very nice

[funsummer]

Todd,
hope to be able to give you a bit of local galaxie competition soon.
My 65 is slowly coming together, full torrington roller c4 being built by Versmar at moment and converter to hopefully suit my engine.
Headers and bonnet ordered from crites and should be on boat any day.
I see your diff ratio changed from 4.1 to 4.56 have you settled on that yet? what rpm through traps? I fitted a 3.7 thats ok.
Lovely car and just love that old school original look.
That motor is cool, such a sleeper.
hopefully my auto gives me an advantage as i think you got more engine than me.
might give you a call next time i am home.
Joel

[ToddK]

Sounds great Joel, we need more Galaxie and FE representation at the Motorplex. With the 4.56's my car was going through the traps at just over 6000rpm. My engines hp peak is at 6300rpm, so I'm happy with that ratio. Your C4 should make launching a bit easier, but I am going to keep working getting my car to launch better. I will be at the All Ford Day this Sunday, drop by if you are in town.

[GJCAT427]

Todd, what size rear axle bolts do you run on both your Galaxie amd your Fairlane to hold the wheels on?

[ToddK]

On the Galaxie, the wheel studs are the standard length 1/2" studs that came with my Moser axles. On the Fairlane, I have 5/8" studs that are 3" long.