1966 LTD 352 got questions.

[stuart olson]

     Hi all. Got a slightly off topic question for you guys. Guy in the area has a 66 LTD with a 352 and a automatic for sale. Thinking about buying it and building my 445 to go in it. What transsmission should that car have? Should the 352 be a 2V or a 4V? Car appears to have a hitch on it. Did Ford offer them with a tow package? Does a tow package mean deeper gears and a locker like on the old mopars? I am a truck guy for the most part so the cars of this era are a bit of a mystery to me.

[The Magic Ratchet]

The information you provided is not terribly specific, you'd be better off posting up the data plate. Someone here could probably decode it and tell you a lot more information. I'll take a stab at helping you but this information is only as good as "...66 LTD with a 352 and a automatic...," my available specs, and my memory.

The 352 in that year/model was a 2 barrel.

The transmission was usually Cruise-O-Matic MX/FX (I think it's the one we used to refer to as an FMX) which is the cast iron case with a separate bellhousing. A C-6 was available as an option (whether it was available with a 352 and/or part of a towing package, I don't know).

You asked about towing packages, unless you can identify a specific part that's unique to the package, find a build sheet in the car, or an original invoice we may never know. Towing packages back then were usually stiffer springs, a heavier radiator, and (maybe) a bigger alternator. I don't know the specs on that particular car but limited slip diffs were not the norm in 1966 except for high performance variants.

[thatdarncat]

I did a little double checking in the 1966 Ford new car brochure and the 1966 Ford Shop Manual, and I only see the "X" code 250hp 352 4V offered in 1966. I would guess the automatic transmission will be the cast iron case Cruise-o-Matic, and not the C6, but I haven't had a chance to double check the Ford Parts book. I don't know if there was a specific trailer towing "package" back then, I think it was more a case of having the dealer order the optional equipment recommended for towing, like the brochure shows in the picture I have below, or the dealer adding the items to an existing vehicle. Dealers would have had things like trailer hitches on hand back then. Ford even had towing "balls" available. As is mentioned in the brochure and in the picture, there was a specific Ford Recreation Brochure that would have had all the details.



Here's the standard and optional engines:

[stuart olson]

Thanks for the replies. Now I know what to be looking for outside of bondo. The "internet" seems to think the old cruise-o-matic is a decent transmission just not worth rebuilding. Any thoughts on here about that? Also should that car have a 9 inch in it or was Ford useing something else?

[stuart olson]

Picture of the code on the door.

[thatdarncat]

6 = 1966 model year
P = Twin Cities ( St. Paul Minnesota ) Assembly plant
60 = Galaxie 500 LTD 4 door Body Serial Code
X = 352 C.I. 4V
170187 = Consecutive Unit Number.

Fords start at 100,001 at each assembly plant each model year, so you have the 70,187th vehicle assembled.

57F = Galaxie 500 LTD 4 door Body Style code
R= Dark Green Metallic paint code
98 = Trim Code ( I don't see it in my shop manual, might be listed in the parts book )
23C = March 23rd 1966 Scheduled Build date ( actual date built can vary )
44 = Twin Cities ( Minneapolis / St.Paul ) District code
1 = 3.00:1 axle code, non limited slip
7 = Cruise-o-Matic transmission