Part 2: Building the Slant Six

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