Part 2: Building the Slant SixSix Equals Eight By Steve Magnante photographer: Steve Magnante
In a previous issue, we told the story of the aluminum block Slant Six and how its brief production run (1961-'62) was cut short by manufacturing difficulties and unexpected costs. This month we team up with Slant Six engine guru Doug Dutra to show you how to build a Slant Six that'll make 1hp/cubic inch, live with 91 octane unleaded, and run low 14s at over 90 mph in a 3,000-pound A-Body while remaining totally streetable and delivering 15 mpg. Our buildup is based on a cherry aluminum block that somehow managed to escape the terminal, from-the-inside-out corrosion that renders most surviving blocks useless. Though our alloy wonder weighs 70 pounds less than much more common cast-iron blocks, if you follow our recipe with your iron block, you'll get identical results. Note for the following: (a) Included in price of '72 donor motor; (b) Optional Recipe List
Displacement: 227 ciCompression ratio: 9.2:1Bore/stroke: 3.420 by 4.12 (0.020 overbore)Bore/stroke ratio: 0.830:1Rod/stroke ratio: 1.63:1Recommended shift points: 5,000 rpmRequired fuel: 91 octane, unleadedDeluxe price: the aluminum motor shown here cost us $4,252.93El Cheapo price: an iron motor without optional frills (b) would cost approximately $3,351.51Short-Block (Deluxe: $709.17; El Cheapo: $459.17)
Block: 1962, die-cast aluminum, bored 0.020 oversize, $250 (b)Machine work: $200Crank: '72 forged steel (a)Balancer: stock Chrysler (a)Rods: stock Chrysler, forged steel, 6.7-inch (a)Rod Bolts: ARP 3/8-inch, PN 142-6001, $76Rod bearings: Clevite 77, PN CB-606G-STD, $32.42Main bearings: Enginetech PN BC312J-STD, $39.46Pistons: cast-aluminum Enginetech 0.020 oversize, PN P1515-020B, $59.92 (b)Piston pins: Enginetech press fit (with pistons)Rings: Sealed Power chrome-moly, PN E-196K-20, $51.37Main cap fasteners: original aluminum block Chrysler 1/2x13 boltsOiling System, $14.00
Oil pan: stock '62 ValiantOil pickup: stock (a)Oil pump: cleaned up stock (a)Oil: 5 quarts 10W30, $10Oil filter: Fram PH8A, $4Cylinder Head (Deluxe: $1,363.67; El Cheapo: $1,236.20)
Type: cast iron (a)Modifications: deck milled 0.100, oversize hardened seat inserts, bronze valve guides, valve guide bosses milled 0.160, six hours worth of bowl blending, and port-relief work, $600Valvesprings: Pioneer single with damper, PNS-1051, $75Intake valves: Egge Machine stainless, 1.70-inch PN SPV857, $162Exhaust valves: Egge Machine stainless, 1.44-inch PN SPV856, $150Retainers: Engle chrome-moly, PN599-S, $62.25Locks: stock Chrysler, two-groove (I), four-groove (E) (a)Valve seals: Pioneer neoprene umbrella-type, $6.95Rocker arms: stock Chrysler, stamped steel 1.50:1 ratio (a)Adjusters: stock Chrysler (a)Pushrods: stock Chrysler 5/16-inch (a)Valve cover: Clifford cast-aluminum PN 45-4018, $109.97 (b)Valve cover bolts: MP chrome, PN P4120272, $12.50 (b)Head stud kit: custom ARP 7/16 heat-treated studs, $115Head gasket: N.O.S. McCord PN6530M, $75Camshaft, $360
Type: Engle PN KV-1, $220Running duration: 271/271Duration at 0.050: 240/240Lift: 0.546/0.546Lobe center: 108 degreesLash setting: 0.010 (I), 0.020 (E)Lifters: Engle solid PN862, $105Timing chain: Enginetech silent-type single row with steel gears PN TS495, $35Ignition (Deluxe: $395.73; El Cheapo: $199.78)
Distributor: MP electronic conversion kit, PN P3690789, $139.88Control module: MSD 6AL PN 6420, $195.95 (b)Coil: MSD Blaster II PN 8202, $28.95Wires: Accel Super Stock 8mm universal fit, $23.95Spark plugs: Autolite 66, gapped at 0.035, $7Timing specs: 30-degree BTDC total, all in by 1,500 rpmVacuum advance: noneMisc (Deluxe: $788.41; El Cheapo: $460.41)
Running '72 225 donor engine: $100Water pump: Pep Boys, $29.99Air cleaner: Mopar Performance chrome resto, PN P4529002, $120Fan: stock Chrysler five-blade (a)Fan belt: Gates, $9.50Water-pump pulley: stock Slant Six (a)Starter: stock Chrysler (a)Alternator: stock Chrysler (a)Fuel pump: Airtex mechanical, $39.95Rear main seal: FelPro PN BS40240, $12.99Timing cover set: FelPro PN TCS12769-1, $17.99Oil-pan gasket: FelPro PN OS12705 C-1, $12.99Headers: Clifford two-piece street rod headers, PN 55-0144, $237Header coating: Jet Hot sterling, $195 (b)Paint: Two cans of MP engine red, PN P4349218, $13 (b)
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