Complete engine and brake system replacement?

My uncle passed recently and left me his old car. It's a 1959 Ford Galaxie. I don't know anything about cars, but he had to give it to someone and I'm his only niece (… Only young relative, actually). It looks fine, nothing is falling apart or rusted into garbage. But it needs a new engine and a new brake system. I have an engine already (from an old Mercury, I think? It's a "390"). The car is automatic and has power steering but not brakes, I'm told. So what am I looking at paying to have the engine put in? And what about the brakes? What would it cost to have the brakes replaced with their regular non-powered old "drum" brakes? What about powered "drum" brakes, or newer "disc" brakes? I don't want to be taken advantage of paying at the shop. I'm sorry I don't know anything about this or if I said something dumb. I appreciate any answers on price or advice on what I should say to the auto shop people.

What will be using the car for, as a regular driver? The car is from another time and not suitable for daily driving. You won't find many mechanics who knows how to work on them. And if you get it running, you will find that maintaining it won't be easy.

My 2 cents: sell it on Ebay to classic car collectors.

Back in those days, shop rates were $29/Hr. If you're sure it needs an engine, that 390 should do. The Mercury and the Ford are step brothers. That Galaxie is a fine example of a big family car. You might be in for $500 to get the engine swapped. There's no telling what fixing the brakes might cost- it depends what's wrong- wild guess…$200-$400.Keep the brakes original, but I'm surprised that Galaxie was non-power brakes, like the Comet, Falcon and low-trim Fairlanes. This project is going to be expensive, but is done thoroughly, you'll have a car that turns heads. A Big *** Car. The guys who built that car are all retired or dead.

Engine installing can be difficult, now i have never seen a 1959 galaxie it is beyond my year, it is nonetheless a car, you need a engine lift (or bar but lift is better for getting under the car) install all bottom part pieces and modules.Again i don't know what it looks like so you may have to do things a little different, but if you aren't fluent in cars or at least major car work, i would suggest you NOT attempt it, if you make a mistake it could cost your life.engines are powerful and run under loads of gas and pressure that's how cars explode. But don't let me scare you it's rare that happens, it's just serious to do it right. As for break system do you need the entire assembly? If so you may be able to find one but its 1959, parts are going to be hard to find and/or very expensive.