Jay Leno's '66 7 litre Ford restoration video

04 January 2011, 21:22

onefunzr2

35 minute video

The first part of this vid about his 6 passenger whaleboat of a grocery-getter is hi-larious. Although the very end where he's bragging about how it now handles so well yet can't keep in his lane rounding a curve on a milti-lane highway is too!

04 January 2011, 22:05

Heavy Barrel

I'll put my grocery getter up against his anytime.

04 January 2011, 22:53

Whitworth

And I would put money on your grocery getter!

05 January 2011, 17:33

onefunzr2

quote:
Originally posted by Heavy Barrel:
I'll put my grocery getter up against his anytime.

You certainly got him beat by number of doors and tailgates.

07 January 2011, 03:57

someoldguy

For sure, my money would be on 'Barrel's Mopar "Grocery Getter" also.
I'm familiar with the 7-liter Galaxie. We generally referred to it as the 428, as distinct from the 427. It was decent for applying rubber to the road, but its 345 horsepower was overrated. It did produce a lot of torque, but at low rpms. In a quarter mile, the stock version would only run around the low 16's at about 87-88 mph. In other words, a 1966 GTO or something similar was going to beat the Galaxie like a rug. With that heavy body, the more powerful 427 side-oiler would make the quarter in low 15s/high 14s. Not very impressive by today's standards, but it's okay for a car of that size.

07 January 2011, 09:00

Idaho Sharpshooter

there's a Dr here in town that drives a white, white w/red bucket seat interior and 4-speed convertible. He bought it new. I ask him every time I see him in it, he just tells me to leave the check blank...

Rich

07 January 2011, 23:31

Whitworth

quote:
Originally posted by someoldguy:
For sure, my money would be on 'Barrel's Mopar "Grocery Getter" also.
I'm familiar with the 7-liter Galaxie. We generally referred to it as the 428, as distinct from the 427. It was decent for applying rubber to the road, but its 345 horsepower was overrated. It did produce a lot of torque, but at low rpms. In a quarter mile, the stock version would only run around the low 16's at about 87-88 mph. In other words, a 1966 GTO or something similar was going to beat the Galaxie like a rug. With that heavy body, the more powerful 427 side-oiler would make the quarter in low 15s/high 14s. Not very impressive by today's standards, but it's okay for a car of that size.

Not to mention the narrow rubber of the day. I would imagine they did well from a roll.

08 January 2011, 01:30

someoldguy

quote:
Not to mention the narrow rubber of the day. I would imagine they did well from a roll.

Yep, the narrow tires definitely hampered performance of most of the cars from back in the day!
One thing about the 428, or 7 litre, that I recall was the fuel economy. It was actually pretty doggone good! I think you could get about 20mpg at reasonable (not-too-fun) speeds, but I'm pretty sure that was with the stock axle ratio of 2.80:1.

10 January 2011, 19:44

wymple

As I recall, the ratio on my 59 Olds is 2.73. But it has very long legs to run with.

11 January 2011, 18:45

onefunzr2

Leno's dad must have been very trusting, letting his son pick out the engine option on the dealer order form. My dad would have been more like Red Forman; getting his foot in my ass for even asking.

He always chose the 'small V8' in the Ford ranchwagons he ordered. Perhaps that's why I never wrapped one around a pole like Leno.

25 January 2011, 11:55

China Fleet Sailor

quote:
Originally posted by someoldguy:
For sure, my money would be on 'Barrel's Mopar "Grocery Getter" also.
I'm familiar with the 7-liter Galaxie. We generally referred to it as the 428, as distinct from the 427. It was decent for applying rubber to the road, but its 345 horsepower was overrated. It did produce a lot of torque, but at low rpms. In a quarter mile, the stock version would only run around the low 16's at about 87-88 mph. In other words, a 1966 GTO or something similar was going to beat the Galaxie like a rug. With that heavy body, the more powerful 427 side-oiler would make the quarter in low 15s/high 14s. Not very impressive by today's standards, but it's okay for a car of that size.

Who wouldn't want an FE in a Fairlane?

It isn't like Ford big blocks have stood still in time. If you have a 428, you have something to build on. Dove Engineering is one place to start.

Not like I'd kick a factory 428 with high rise heads and intake out of bed (yeah, I know, you couldn't get 'em from the factory like that; I'm just observing you could slap them on).

I don't know about you, but I sure could use an FE gracing my garage. One with Le Mans Valve covers and dual quads.

Something like this: