Thread: Galaxie chevy engine swap

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Hi everyone. I am a first time user to clubhotrod. I recently came across a 1965 Ford Galaxie 500, there is no motor or tranny in it. I was wondering if there is a conversion kit available to drop in a small block chevy (350), and turbo 350 into it. I already have this motor ready to go.

I don't think theres a kit but, it is possible to put it in, just new chevy motor and tranny mounts and possibly modify the x member.

You might want to buy yourself a good mig welder and maybe a torch and just make it fit!

Nope, no kits. As Matt and Pro 60 said you can make your own.

One real problem, at least with the stock suspension, is you will have to mount the motor fairly high as the rear sump oil pan will interfer with the steering center link, the Ford being a behind the axle steering linkage set up. Or you'll have to modify the heck out the oil pan.

I will try to find a chevy without a motor to trade you for the galaxie

Hey thanks guys for all the good info, I've pretty much always been a chevy guy until recently I got my 65 lincoln, and now the galaxie. junkyardjeff your offer sounds good to me but for now I might just keep this car, it has a little sentimental value, but give me some time and I might be able to change her mind.

Friend of mine put a SBC in Galaxie recently. He used a kit to replace the front suspension with Mustang II components. The kit included panels to replace the old front suspension "Tubs". Really opened up the engine bay. The Chevy fit with no problems what so ever. And the car has a power rack and pinion now. Very doable.

The picture above shows the LS1 he swapped in after he sold the 383 SBC. The picture below shows the engine bay after the Mustang II conversion.

You guys are going to make me install a ford motor in my 37 chevy p/u if you dont stop this nonsense. I have a sweet running 352 that I am taking out of my 65 custom 500 to install a 302 and 5 speed for gas mileage and I will install it in my chevy if I see anymore of that.

I wont stop with the 37,I have been looking for a 65 F250 to go with my two 65 galaxies to install a rebuilt 460 I have in it but I could easily install it in a 65 C20 if I cant find a F250. I can imagine being a hit at a super chevy show,they would love me.

Hey Jeff, get going on that Ford in a chebby deal. If things go right on a few pending deals, I should be able to get started on my 85 Vette that is getting a tube frame, 9" rear end, Windsor stroker motor, and of course the Tremec 5 speed. Gonna take the Corvette emblem off the back, have "Payback" lettered in it's place. Of course, with the obligatory corvette flags.

I have been wanting to give the chevy people the taste of their own medicine for a long time and since I will have two extra ford motors the time has come,I am glad there is someone out there that is thinking the same as me. I am definately going to look for a 65 chevy p/u to put the 460 and C-6 in but if I find a ford I will buy it but if I decide to put a V8 in the 37 chevy I will probably go the 351 windsor AOD route as the 352 might be too wide to fit under the hood.

You guys know a lot more about Fords than I do. I've been doing a little research on-line and I think that I'm going to go with a ford 352, or 390. Do you guys have any good tips that I can use when I start looking for one?

Only thing you may have to watch for is sometime in 1965 Ford made a motor mount change on FE's. They went from a 2 bolt to a 4 bolt design cast into the block. Either will work in your Galaxie, you just need to make sure which you need before you drop the engine in.

When you go FE shopping, don't disregard any 360's for sale since they usually sell cheaper than 390's and way cheaper than 427's and 428's. A 360 has the same bore are a 390 (4.05") and to get a 390 out of it all you do is swap the rotating assembly. This includes changing the rods (332-360 use one length, 390-428 the other length rod).

In 1968 Ford changed the exhaust port location for smog reasons, so you have to know which era heads you have when buying headers to get a good seal.

I would look for a complete car to get a motor and trans,those years of fords are prone to serious frame rust and a complete car can be found cheap. If yours does not have a motor or trans in it now a parts car would get you all the little stuff that is missing in one shot,you will be able to use about everything from up to a 1970 galaxie and maybe up to 72 as they share basicly the same frames and firewalls. You can bolt a 429 or 460 in a 65 by using the mounts from a 70 to 72 big merc or ford that originally came with a 429 and I know where three of them are in local junkyards with the mounts still in them. I could set you up with the 352 and auto trans from my 65 custom 500 if I dont find a truck to put it in,it runs good and the trans looks like it has been rebuilt,I might trade the 352 and trans along with other parts needed to install it in your 65 for a good 302 with a manaul trans flywheel bellhousing and clutch parts and a 5 speed from a 80s mustang.