Old Ford help

[willimo]

I've got a '64 Ford Galaxie comin' down the pipe. Some things lately have inspired me to break out my old build up and see if I can't redo it (Tonio Seven's Galaxie is pretty clost to the top of the list of inspirations). I decided to not redo my old model, but get a new kit and start fresh. Since I'm starting fresh, I want to go to town on it, and throw a 427 into the otherwise curbside promo style kit. I'm not very knowledgeable about these cars, so can anyone point me in the right direction as far as what kits have a suitable 427 that I can use?

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by willimo

...to brake out ...

You mean break out right?

You could try to find a Hemi Cuda with a 426.

[Layla's Keeper]

Well, there are two excellent 427's out there that immediately come to mind.

Revell has a very good 427 in their 1964 Ford Fairlane Thunderbolt. That kit is also a good source for period wheels (I love the Rader and Keystone mags in that kit) and the classic T-bolt bubble hoodscoop looks good on just about any Ford. There's also your choice of C4 automatic trans or Top Loader 4speed manual.

AMT/Ertl also has a beautiful 427 with your choice of tri-power or dual quad carburetion in their 1960 Ford Starliner Custom kit. It's a great engine with a very good representation of the Ford Top Loader 4speed manual. Plus the classic Torq Thrusts look great.

Either way, you can't lose.

[LUKE'57]

If you need any detail help just let me know. I've got five '64's. Two complete hardtops, one 4-door and two hardtop parts cars. I'll be happy to help any way I can. Here's my daily driver with a 302 and three speed in the floor.

[willimo]

Thanks, Luke! I think with Google I've got most of my bases covered. All I'm hurtin' for is an underhood pic of either stock or a mild custom. The only engine pics I've seen are from cars a little more hardcore than my model is going to be. I just want to know where all the bits go, like the battery and things like that, though even on a mild job like mine it probably all gets moved around a lot. Maybe of a pic of the top of the suspension (what you can see of it between the engine and the fenderwell) so I can enhance the promo chassis a bit. Any ideas on a good donor chassis, even? Detail is miserable on this kit....

[Layla's Keeper]

Well, most folks I'm aware of who've swapped in a more detailed chassis use the AMT 1964 Mercury Marauder 3 n' 1 kit that was reissued as a BCP a few years back. It's a 1964 annual kit, mind you, so don't expect a John Mueller masterpiece, but it's plenty workable and with good painting work can be made into someting impressive.

And if you're really willing to get into cutting and hacking, using one of the newer AMT/Ertl full size Ford kits like their 1960 Ford Starliner or 1961 Ford Thunderbird for components would offer up a lot of excellent accurate detail.

[LUKE'57]

Isn't the Thunderbird a unibody car with coil springs on the back?

[Layla's Keeper]

I'd have to double check, but the front suspension certainly can be used.

[willimo]

Starliner seems like the way to go, but the packaging says the model contains a 352... is that just a package misprint on AMT's part? What motor does the Revell '32 Ford come with, 'cause I'm gonna have that layin' around as a spare as it is....

[LUKE'57]

That should be the correct engine for the '60 but it won't matter because pretty much the only difference in a model will be the side bolts on the cross bolted mains on the 427. And they would be so small as to unoticable. The outside look is virtually unchanged on the FE engines from '58 on. ie. 332, 352, 390, 406, 410, 427 and 428.

[tonioseven]

Thanks! I needed help on my Galaxie project with the engine!! The version in the '69 kit is gosh-awful!! I'll get another '60 to see how it works out...

[Layla's Keeper]

Okay, the stock 1960 Starliner comes with a 352 automatic combination. What you want is the custom kit.


This.


Not this.

The Revell Deuces come with a Ford 302 crate motor. It's nice, but tiny. You don't want to be motorvating that land yacht Galaxie with a single four barrel 5.0 do you?

[willimo]

D'oh, got the wrong one. Oh well. Not gonna spend more money on it, I'll just use the motor from the stock Starliner. The engine in the kit is fantastic, though, as is the chassis. Wow! AMT gets a bum rap, some of their kits are awesome.

[Layla's Keeper]

Basically almost all of AMT's classic and muscle car kits from 1988 (the introduction of their mind-blowing 1966 Chevy Nova) up to 2001 (the 1958 Edsel, 1971 Dodge Charger, and Phantom Vickie) were stellar kits developed under master tool-cutter John Mueller. Mueller is a diehard car enthusiast and has since gone on to assist with Trumpeter's new model car lineup.

Their modern car kits are lacking, but for muscle cars and classics, the Mueller era AMT/Ertl releases cannot be beat.

[JBarry]

Willimo, I have a 427ci V8 engine, all in chrome. sitting right here. It's a Revell "Parts Pack". Brand new. MIB. Pay shipping and it's yours. Let me know if you want it.

J. Barry