I am considering purchasing a 1970 Ford Galaxy, however I could not find a ID tag on the frame. The VIN however did match the VIN on the title. Should I still purchase the car without this ID tag or is it a big deal. Also the car is supposed to have a 390 in it, upon further inspection it appears to be a 352. Any help would be appreciated

 

Guess it would all depend on if you wanted a 'correct' car if it had a replacement... You planning on restoring it, or just a driver? But,, if the engine has 352 in raised casted numbers on the blocks front, Does Not mean its a 352.. All the 'FE' blocks are casted this way.. All the ones I've seen.. The casting date for the block is just above the oil pump mounting area.. Might ID that block to the cars build date or close to..

Here's a few pics of an FE block...

[IMG]local://upfiles/6756/9D8475032FE948BBB9D7C8ABD0396DA8.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]local://upfiles/6756/A203B57D29664FB19DEF55D8FB138D72.jpg[/IMG]

 

The car would just be a driver not plan on restoring it. I just wanted to make sure that the id tag wasn't a major concern. And that is the spot that I seen the 352 raised. Is there another marking or anything to tell it is a 390? I really don't know much about fords, more of a pontiac person but this car is priced pretty decently. Thanks for all the help

 

One of the easiest ways to check to see if its a 390 would be to measure the cranks stroke.. Still doesn't mean that it's correct to the car and a block casting/date 'may' put the engine build date close to the cars.. You can put the #1 cylinder on TDC per the balancer.. This puts the #1 at TDC and #4 at BDC.. Pull the plugs and measure the total stroke.. A 352 is a 3.50 stroke, and 390 is 3.78

 

thanks for the info on the engine.so if i was looking just for a driver and nothing to restore that ID tag i was talking about is no big deal? It looked like someone had painted the car and either took it off or something.

 

By ID tag on the frame I'm a little lost.. I don't 'believe' that Ford used any frame tags.. Other than the body Data Tag/plate... Is that what your refering to?

 

The id that is on the door jamon mostcars, that gives paint id, etc., if that is the body data tag??

 

Yes

 

well last question for you then , so if i'm just looking for a driver and not something to restore that isn't all that important to have on there. Thanks again for all your help

 

Probably not a big issue unless its a really desireable model..

Depending on body style, and how well its optioned will determine how important the data plate info would be, if not to you, but to a potetial buyer if sold.. As would LTD, LTD Brougham, XL, Galaxie 500, sedan, sportsroof, and convertible.. And of course the power plant, and what it has for a trans.. If it were a Sport Roof 4spd car with a 429 then a missing plate could 'raise' an eyebrow

Great that your think'n of an old iron driver.. So few are actually out on the open road anymore.. I remember these as our buisness cars!

If you get it, post a few pics......