????? Touring 61 Galaxie Sunliner

[526hp8o]

My buddy picked this 61 Galaxie Sunliner up about 6 months ago with the intent of making it a nice sleeper driver. Well a little time showing him whats out there it has morphed into larger project. The heart of this Galaxie is a 448ci Fontana sbf he has had sitting around waiting for the right car. Ed Ash of Ash Racing Components in Umpqua OR Built the engine. Im not positive on the internals but it topped off with a pair of Robert Yates C3 heads and a nascar spec Ford racing intake. I do know the engine dynoed at 571hp @5500 rpm and 607ft @4500 and idles at 750rpm. My buddy being a racer at heart had to have a manual gearbox so after lots of checking around we setteled on the McLeoud Musclecar 5. Our original intent was a Legend LGT-700 but we could not find one available. I should mention that one of the priorities of this build was to cut the car as little as possible saving its originality. The The suspension consists of Ride Tech triangultaed 4 link and shockwaves in the rear mated to a Currie 9" with 3.89 gears and wilwood disk brakes and 4 piston calipers. The front rides on shockwaves and Fatman Fabrications tubular control arms and wilwood brakes as well. Another concern he had was fixing the vague factory 61 steering. After a little research we decided on unisteer rack and pinion setup. I dont have any picc from the very start but I've been trying to take as many as possible durring the build.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0026_zpsqhlk8sf5.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0026_zpsqhlk8sf5.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0016_zpsoz6dya32.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0016_zpsoz6dya32.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0014_zpsvopdbe0d.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0014_zpsvopdbe0d.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0012_zpsz49cbczp.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0012_zpsz49cbczp.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0029_zpsdi70gmhi.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0029_zpsdi70gmhi.jpg.html)

[526hp8o]

Here are a few of the tranny. It fit very well only needed to cut a 4x5 inch hole in the floor and the shifter location is perfect.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0027_zps667wxrg3.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0027_zps667wxrg3.jpg.html)

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0035_zpsyqhbxy5i.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0035_zpsyqhbxy5i.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0033_zpscguogkre.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0033_zpscguogkre.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0032_zpsgb3drb30.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0032_zpsgb3drb30.jpg.html)

[fleetus macmullitz]

Welcome...very cool project. :thumbsup:

[WILWAXU]

Cool car!

[526hp8o]

Here are a few of the rear suspension. Currie 9" with Wilwood brakes
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/FullSizeRender%202_zpsshmpyrps.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/FullSizeRender%202_zpsshmpyrps.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0024_zpsd1sp2qxn.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0024_zpsd1sp2qxn.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0025_zpsqjqbhgqt.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0025_zpsqjqbhgqt.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0020_zpsc6hiis7x.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0020_zpsc6hiis7x.jpg.html)

[526hp8o]

Maybe I could get this moved to project updates?

[526hp8o]

Master cylinder and steering rack and front brakes
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0018_zpsk2excuat.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0018_zpsk2excuat.jpg.html)

Made a mounting bracket for the slave cylinder that works with the original pedal pivot

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1495_zpskji1yn5z.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1495_zpskji1yn5z.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0017_zpsxivxusht.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0017_zpsxivxusht.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/e83bb638-0d45-4d99-948c-091b9c3d6ec4_zpssocdvtb0.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/e83bb638-0d45-4d99-948c-091b9c3d6ec4_zpssocdvtb0.jpg.html)

[526hp8o]

Had a spare radiator from the old race car laying around and what do you know it fits
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1379_zpsurmighlw.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1379_zpsurmighlw.jpg.html)

had to weld on some fan mounting brackets
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1380_zpszyvk7e8p.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1380_zpszyvk7e8p.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1388_zps6tagsn2j.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1388_zps6tagsn2j.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1389_zpspcmfthpe.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1389_zpspcmfthpe.jpg.html)

[526hp8o]

got the engine mounts made and dropped her in

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0031_zpseetfzbvw.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0031_zpseetfzbvw.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0030_zpsjtumgyhk.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_0030_zpsjtumgyhk.jpg.html)

[526hp8o]

I took a week off and came back to see this

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1493_zpszdocvve6.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1493_zpszdocvve6.jpg.html)

[gofastwclass]

Very cool project.

[StarlinerJack]

cool project! Im getting ready to start work on my 61 Starliner. Also a Pro-touring car but with a little more work. Or maybe a lot more. Its a rust bucket but will be nice eventually

[fordsbyja]

Very nice. Can you give any info on those front control arms?

[526hp8o]

Ordered them from Fatman Fabrication. I think they were just under a grand for uppers and lowers complete. WWW.Fatmanfab.com

[526hp8o]

few up dates Got the car on the ground last weekend
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1506_zpsj4lpk28j.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/IMG_1506_zpsj4lpk28j.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/1D99F495-FA54-4276-9C09-A4BDDCC5B748_zpsxgncnz65.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/1D99F495-FA54-4276-9C09-A4BDDCC5B748_zpsxgncnz65.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/3B52AE51-A621-40E8-9083-8FBA2405B353_zpshcukywg3.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/3B52AE51-A621-40E8-9083-8FBA2405B353_zpshcukywg3.jpg.html)

[fordsbyja]

Ordered them from Fatman Fabrication. I think they were just under a grand for uppers and lowers complete. WWW.Fatmanfab.com

Thanks. I have a 64 Galaxie convertible and it gets pretty scary over 60 mph.

How do you like the AirRide setup?

[526hp8o]

Really nice but Ride Tech has always made quality parts. I did have to massage the floor a bit where the rear upper shock mounts hit the floor. Speaking to another buddy who said he had the same problem on his convertible but not on his hard top. Everything is plug and play as far as the wiring goes which is way easier than we had back in the day where we had to make our own wire harnesses.

[V8TV]

Cool car! My '62 Galaxie is due for some upgrades. Subscribed!

[waynieZ]

Cool car! My '62 Galaxie is due for some upgrades. Subscribed!

And another road trip ?:relax:

[jarhead]

crazy cool!

[526hp8o]

Getting started on the headers. 1.75" primaries to SPD merged collectors.
And this Icengineworks kit is way too cool to work with.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/13584BF1-2FA6-4A91-BDFC-754BA1CB5AEE_zpsigsdaeoh.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/13584BF1-2FA6-4A91-BDFC-754BA1CB5AEE_zpsigsdaeoh.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/59F50AE4-5037-4B7A-83DB-E05D777C204C_zpsaznb5tkw.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/59F50AE4-5037-4B7A-83DB-E05D777C204C_zpsaznb5tkw.jpg.html)
http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w260/bottlefed98/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/59CC4A15-4978-448F-B35C-241D8D445E16_zpstsahzu7t.jpg (http://s178.photobucket.com/user/bottlefed98/media/Johns%2061%20Galaxie/59CC4A15-4978-448F-B35C-241D8D445E16_zpstsahzu7t.jpg.html)

[jasonf]

Very nice car.

Is that the factory front spindle or a Granada unit?

[61star]

I purchased a uni steering rack for my 61 Starliner , Their product I’d junk .the mounting brackets , the angle of the input spline on the rack to the steering column puts the universal joints way beyond the safe operating angle where they should run , then grab a hold of the center section where the 2 tie rods mount and you can lift it up and down 1/4 - 3/8s of an inch ,
I also purchased a 64 galaxies wagon which I shiped from the states to New Zealand,with air ride technologies front and rear suspension, more garbage , the guy I bought it from had only 400 miles on it after the rebuild, The shocks had leaked oil in to the air bags , so were junk , The lower mount on the front A arm mounted where the original factory shock mount was , this had started to push through the a arm , I called Air ride technology, basically they said tough luck

[johnnysuede23]

Man, this is a sweet ride not sure how I missed it. Any updates?

[johnnysuede23]

I purchased a uni steering rack for my 61 Starliner , Their product I’d junk .the mounting brackets , the angle of the input spline on the rack to the steering column puts the universal joints way beyond the safe operating angle where they should run , then grab a hold of the center section where the 2 tie rods mount and you can lift it up and down 1/4 - 3/8s of an inch ,
I also purchased a 64 galaxies wagon which I shiped from the states to New Zealand,with air ride technologies front and rear suspension, more garbage , the guy I bought it from had only 400 miles on it after the rebuild, The shocks had leaked oil in to the air bags , so were junk , The lower mount on the front A arm mounted where the original factory shock mount was , this had started to push through the a arm , I called Air ride technology, basically they said tough luck

I am very familiar with the issue you are describing where the center take off rotates in the rack. My setup is not Unisteer, however uses a similar rack (Chevy Caviler). I ended up making a guide to keep the rack from moving up and down, something to consider. If I were to do it again I would probably go with the Borgenson Steering box. It requires shortening the steering column but maintains full steering radius.

There are a number of front coilover setups where they place the weight of the car on the stamped steel lower control arm in the location originally designed to support a shock absorber! You can see in this build it has aftermarket lower control arms. I'm not sure if the owner is still around, not trying to steal the OPs thread but I can tell you that they are using Fatman control arms. They are much beefier than the stock stamped LCAs and would be fine to support a true coil over type shock spring.