Question about new engine/tranny for '63 Galaxie
recently, while rebuilding a 289 from my galaxie, i leanred that the block was cracked and useless. however, finding a new block has not been easy because this block is a 5-bolt bellhousing pattern (they were only 5 bolt from 62-64 1/2).
so first of all i was wondering if there is a chance that the bellhousings of a 5 and 6-bolt tranny can be swapped (i have a cruise-o-matic)
secondly, one of the options that i am really leaning towards is buying a remanufactured engine from RECON. this, so far, seems like the best idea seeing that i am a high school student with a very limited budget. does anyone have any info on recon or other companies that reman. engines?
next, theres the option of getting the 6-bolt block and a reman. tranny. however this would overall cost just about the same amount of money and i most likely wouldnt do anything to the cylinder heads.
lastly, because the 5-bolt option has not seemed easy to find with an engine, do i go all the way in and get a later model reman 289 with the 6-bolt pattern and a reman 6-bolt tranny. my tranny so far has seemed find, but to avoid paying lots to have it fixed, get it now that the entire engine compartment is empty?
however, because the 6-bolt is a larger tranny, would that mean that my driveshaft (from the 5-bolt)would no longer fit?
here's a kicker, too. i am doing this work myself in my autoshop at school. i am a senior and only have about a month of school before im kicked out not only for the summer, but pretty much for good.
IF ANYONE HAS ANY ADVICE PLEASE DONT HESITATE TO HELP OUT!!!! VERY LIMITED BUDGET AND TIME!!!!
...ps: if anyone knows of a place where i can get headers and an exhaust system for a 63 galaxie, please let me know.
