Slant Sixes Never Die - But This 1965 Plymouth Valiant Doesn't Like Me

Another day, another crappy A body to revive. It didn't exactly put up a fight, but the Carter BBD sure did. And after all the nice things I said about them...

[@rocketresto]

"Least productive day at Rocket ever" Jamie yesterday

[@musclecarmitch908]

Cool little valiant! One of my friends back in high school had a little black with red interior 65 convertible! Always brings back great memories to see one again!👍

[@daveallen8824]

Gotta love early A bodies - I had a 64 Dart GT with a fresh slant - never let me down..

[@SE-me2pt]

A bit of slant six/music trivia... The engine soundbites on ZZ Top's "Manic Mechanic" from the Deguello LP is a slant six. The engine cranking is unmistakable.(I used to be in the fan club decades ago).

[@KrustyKlown]

Memories!!.. my Grandmother's white Valiant, with Granny Shift .. she could smoke and granny shift flawlessly.

[@benjamintresham9649]

Australian made VE Valiant introduced the two barrel slant six and it was identified by the 160 hp The old rusty dry door hinges sounded the same down under 😂😂😂😂😂

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaahaha. Love it.

[@1575murray]

The two barrel slant six was not available in the US or Canada before 1976 because Chrysler didn't want to lose sales of the V8 engines which were available in the A body cars starting in 1964. This car looks like it has a Carter BBS carburetor not a BBD. They also came with a Holley 1920 depending on the model year.

[@nickwagner2192]

This is EXACTLY what my first car Looked like!(Still have it) but I’m in the middle of swapping in a 318 disguised as a 273 commando, and a 4 speed! I also put a 65 dart front end on it after “accidentally” rear ending a truck 2 weeks into having my license. But it’s my daily!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

That’s awesome! Except for the front end modifications… very cool. Wanna-be Commando 4 speed is my genius plan for my ‘67 Valiant. I should probably get back to that some time…

[@clevelandmaker386]

​@@DeadDodgeGarageHEY!!!.....it's the only you can afford!!! By the way... there's a 1960 matador project in California on marketplace!!!

[@moparedtn]

I've read more than one technical paper from SAE types over the years that proclaim the Slant 6 is the best single engine design to ever come out of this country - something about the internals never wearing out, etc..... I have to admit after all these decades - I'd be hard pressed to argue with that. The engine is almost indestructible. (Pssst - Tom says to do something productive, Jamie). - Ed on the Ridge

[@magnetocheck]

Yep, would have to agree. I've had two of them -A Dodge P/U and a Volare. pretty bulletproof.

[@pcbullets8726]

Always liked these cars! They are a lot of fun, when they run right.

[@ericball6000]

been lucky to have owned a few slant 6 motors in my days, they are like Keith Richards, they never die, cheers.

[@sneaks01]

Great vid! Two sounds I love so much. A Chrysler Starter and a Slant 6!! 😊

[@lovetocrank]

I love the sound of those Mopar starters!

[@user-hi2ev7ug4l]

Hurray for the leaning tower of power....thanks for the content

[@JonMarinello]

I love those old Valiants. I had one too. Best running car ever had. And this video proves it. You gotta bring this thing back to running condition and clean up the inside and the paint a little bit. Put it back on the road man!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Well it’s not mine and there’s no room in my fleet for yet another A body. But I thought about it…

[@LongIslandMopars]

Starting it up reminded me of my 64 Valiant Signet 200 convertible that i had back in the day. Bondo bucket but it was my first car.

[@johnelliott7375]

Beautiful sunset and I love this car❤!

[@weirdkindofsexsymbol]

Having a BBD is like having a really sweet, cuddly cat that pisses on your pillow and claws up your couch…you just love it and accept it for its bad habits. I had a ‘63 Signet with a Super-6, an A833OD, and 3.23 gears…I hit 25+ MPG with that car.

[@racer6583]

I can't believe you let a BBD kick your backside after all the lovely things you said, any how another great A body that looks semi solid, well better than you can find in PA anyway. Great content I enjoy all vids from you & rocket!!!!!

[@Mattisgarage]

Great car! I have a white rusted looking 65 with red interior too, and I love it! Slant six ofcourse

[@beljames1563]

It was a Valiant effort which paid off in happy burbles. Oh wait....brakes and burble, a working charging systen and talk of a turbo? Way too much to ask!😊

[@gasser66]

I love the surprise and joy in the voice when testing the breaks lol. 7:23

[@bbro6154]

I had a "Super Six" in a '79 2 door Volare. It ran like a top. It had solid lifters still. Smooth

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

They were still solid in '79? Did they go hydraulic in... '80? I can't remember.

[@darricksword9282]

Recurve the distributor with a 318 primary spring as the secondary distro on the slant and set it at 12 degrees initial and it unlocks some ok power

[@johnelliott7375]

Running like a champ 💪🏆

[@SolamenteVees]

“Somebody loved this car…”

[@robertwittjr1198]

with 3 band equalizer, best day at the flea market ever.

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

Full tune and sevice all oils she be fine 👍🏻🇦🇺⛽️

[@barrycuda3769]

Nice cat ,looks just like my parents old cat Sophie . I think I saw you with a big black one ,a fine looking animal as well.

[@heavyearly2232]

Pretty sure my Aunt had the Dodge dart version of this; same color, even. It was an unusual site in late 70's/early 80's Pennsylvania.

[@allanperryman388]

Nice car. Thanks for the content.

[@csetzer2]

Holding my breath and waiting for the turbo slant six video! Actually, I’m holding my breath because I have an exhaust leak and recently got carbon monoxide poisoning while driving in my van with the windows rolled up, although, at the same time I’m eager to see the turbo slant content.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh that’s a classic… I couldn’t count the number of horrible exhaust leaks inside a car I’ve lived with over the years. My brother has made it a way of life. He must have built up an immunity to it at this point.

[@horrible1083]

we love these things down here in NZ, mates got a ute with the slant, its awesome.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Jealous. No A body utes around here. I might have to try and build one some day.

[@unclejay4644]

I’ve kaboomed many engines, the slant six is the only one that kept running. Broke a rod, blew a hole in the block. Still started right up. Pour some oil in the hole and make the 20mile trip down the highway to the dump and back every two weeks. Couple years later we stopped using it. I pulled the head off for science and found that almost every single pushrod was bent. I do not understand how that thing ran so well.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Wow… I’ve heard many stories of them running with a rod hanging out of the block. The one I sent a rod through wouldn’t do that. Or maybe it would have if I had tried harder… who knows. The lesson I learned was take it easy on the starting fluid - so a lot of good came out of that!

[@terry94131]

My dad had a '64 Dodge with the slant six. After a couple years, it wouldn't start in the rain. Ever. If it was left out in the rain, we had to take the truck.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

My Dakota had that same issue when I got it. A distributor cap fixed it.

[@noberet]

So cool! Thank you! BTW my first slant six died of a dead oil pump at about 180K miles

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Funny story, there’s a new oil pump in the back seat. 😅

[@That_AMC_Guy]

Slant 6 is the only engine I've ever broken. I think you and I are the only two people on the internet who like the BBD.

[@johnelliott7375]

Thanks.😊

[@six-pack1332]

She's a beauty!

[@martind701]

Slant six" Tower of Power" never die!

[@Friedbrain11]

Commentators are correct about that carb. I would rather get the 2210 2 bbl from Holley. It works so much better. As for the fingers causing it to idle means you were pulling fuel from the main circuit and the air from a vacuum leak. Wish I had a place for it here.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

No. The air horn is only temporarily blocked, with the throttle open and the engine revved up. After doing this a couple times, it idled. It’s a technique I have used many, many times with success.

[@johnelliott7375]

Idols until you have to rev it like a race car. Great job on the carby.😊

[@wiggyjones]

Love the BBS on my 64 Valiant. Well, it's my third, but it's perfect!

[@michaelnault5905]

Those hinged peddles on all makes broke when they got old. People just tossed em and stepped on the road :⁠-⁠)

[@rexkean]

Slant 6's are hard to beat!

[@jefferyholcombe5189]

Seen one with a Whipplecharger on it and was very cool! Thing I think would be awesome is one that was twin charged, as in it has a supercharger with a turbo blowing into it. This work's great for immediate throttle response and power from the supercharger down low till the boost of the turbo comes on line for the top end power. These made great down low power from the long intake runner's but I think with modern fuel injection and intercooled forced induction would double the effective power but keep it reliable as the hammer it was built like and function's like also. Takes a licken but keep's on ticking!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Double boost seems excessive. Haha. That’s the basic idea behind my turbo slant efforts. We’ll see how it goes…

[@mikekutzner7416]

Boom ! It blowed up through a hemi in it

[@Grandadsjunk]

First car I ever owned was a 65 ap5 valiant slant 6 great cool car aussie Chrysler

[@OlderNotNecesarilyWiser]

On a positive note at least it didn't have your favorite Holley carb!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Seriously though. Haha. I was pretty excited about the BBD until it did the same thing the 1920 always does, which is absolutely refusing to idle…

[@kenjohnson3641]

A turbo hmmmm cant wait 😮

[@jamesonpace726]

Ye olde slant six, a knight of a long past realm....

[@thehuntsyndicatetm7758]

Slant super sixes and early A bodies are a perfect combo.

[@joshuajesch7154]

I have a soft spot for white mopars (my 69 charger i sold was white) and I almost bought a white valiant in high school before I bought the charger. The charger had a 383 and I had to have it...sure miss it too.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I love my 383 Charger. So I get it. 😭

[@joshuajesch7154]

Someday I must have another...its not a want...its a need. My soul has a hole. Lol. I love watching you own your 68. Its way nicer than my white 69 was but I could just sit in my garage in the winter time just moving my chair around so I could admire all the different beautiful angles. I honestly cannot fault anything about the looks inside or out of a 68-70

[@joshuajesch7154]

Mine had a 4 barrel carter AFB. It ran great too. Lots of response and nutz

[@staceyrenner5418]

Well that's just cool. Whatever Chrysler project I get after the current "not a Dodge" is done, I may want it to have a slant.

[@richjordan9375]

I like BBDs but admittedly only ever had cars with the earlier style metal cap or plastic tube, not the tin hat like that one. Never on a slant six though; that one had the Holley...

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The earlier ones are so much easier to deal with.

[@antoninoorfano8187]

Great cars

[@generationalgearhead6664]

Hey! It's as old as me! I'll take it!

[@MikeJBlues]

My first car at 16 was a 63 valiant signet 2 door slant six 3 on the tree ... Midwest rust sent it to an early grave .

[@LeftyLucyRightyTyty]

Auto Zone sells a niffty Knife Switch that I've installed on the negative post of ALL my fleet. Battery safely disconnected/reconnected in about halfasecond...highly recommend it.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

They work great, but I really don’t like the look.

[@LeftyLucyRightyTyty]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Lol...10 4...I expect if there was a Pentastar stampt on it, you'd have a dusty bucket full of them under the stairs somewhere.

[@bigwrenchtech]

I'm here!!!

[@earlarthur9378]

I just bought a 1965 Barracuda. Same engine, but still with the twistie throttle shaft. Is there a kit to convert that to cable?? Oh also, do you have a line on where I can get some replacement axle shafts to convert my baby-bolt pattern to a normal 5x4.5?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

If it’s 7 1/4, I’d just find some used ones. You could probably get an entire axle from 73+ cars for not much more than scrap value. If it’s 8 3/4, I believe Moser was making the conversion axles, but I have heard they are out of production. I don’t know the availability on them currently. As far as converting to cable - there isn’t much point in that unless you are also changing to the 2 barrel. A later single barrel would also be set up for cable. As far as I know, there is no kit for this. You’d need to source the throttle pedal setup from a 64-66 V8 car.

[@josephrohn4780]

Great job Jamie! What’s up with the blue 73 charger?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

We ran the stroker engine on our run stand a while back and it sounded great. The suspension and drivetrain are now together and almost finished, and will be going in as soon as we can get the car back over to the lift. Looking forward to that.

[@clembob8004]

Say what you will, but there is nothing better than a 2 dr post A body for hot rodding. A 340 (or even a hopped-up 318) would make that thing really happy. I actually have a very similar 1964 Dart 2 dr post, grandma beige with a slant 6 and 3 speed manual. The only problem is that it has been sitting in a tree row for about 40 years, and the floors are very rusted out. Also, the head is off the engine, so it's a non-runner. It's pretty much just a parts car, and I'd sell it very very cheap. Even as low as $0 on the right day.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh it’s perfect! That sounds like a great drag car project - and the last thing I need 😅

[@rickrice3221]

I like it…white with a red gut: the prototypical V 100!

[@johnelliott7375]

Beautiful 🚗 car.

[@johnelliott7375]

Wipers and heater works, I could make it to Pittsburgh, Pa. From your place.

[@rennkafer13]

I have the opposite issue with my BBD, absolutely pig rich. Freshly rebuilt (including a nice stint in my ultrasonic tank), everything set to what is supposed to be spec for a '71 Coronet. Not my first rodeo with carbs (built many, mostly Weber/SU), but first time touching a BBD. Any guesses, Jamie?

[@NathansMoparGarage]

The 318 version uses bigger jets that 6 cyl. It does use the same style jets as the AFB if you want to change them for a smaller size.

[@rennkafer13]

@NathansMoparGarage it's the oem carb, on a stock 318 so it shouldn't be rich. I suspect either I missed something or the specs I adjusted to were incorrect. I figured given Jamie has done a ton of these he'd know the usual suspects.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Hmmm… nothing is really coming to mind on that. I’m guessing if the float was full of gas you would’ve noticed! Of course you’d probably notice a gas geyser coming from the bowl vent as well. I’m sure you checked float levels while you were in there - did the little metal strap get back on the float pin? I’ve only left that out a couple times… again, that usually involves a geyser of gas. I’ve had excessive debris in the needle / seat opening cause the opposite problem - fuel starvation. And have had debris there cause the aforementioned gas geyser many times. It seems most of my BBD problems have involved gas everywhere, now that I’m really thinking about it. The other issue I’ve had was using the incorrect base plate gasket - but the time I did it, it resulted in no idle fuel. Off of idle it ran great. Idle mixture screws end up about two turns out?

[@rennkafer13]

@DeadDodgeGarage thanks for the reply, Jamie. Answering your questions, in order (I hope): New float No geysers Strap is in place New needle/seat I'll have to check where the idle screws ended up at. They're currently set by highest vacuum reading (~22in/hg at 750 idle). I can say that screwing them in much from where they're set gets the idle obviously stumbling. The other issue I'm having is an incessant slight leak from the fuel pipe from the pump at the needle/seat. Probably not connected to the overly rich issue, but worth mentioning.

[@user-lb3ht6nm1e]

Did those early slant six have a geared starter? The Auzzie valiant didn’t have a geared starter till the hemi 6 in 1970

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

They got the gear reduction starter in… ‘62? Don’t remember.

[@trojan440]

It even stopped breathing heavy towards the end of video. She's a runner,but does the dome light work?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

No 😭

[@79tazman]

The vacuum leak good be coming from around the shaft but it should not be a big leak to make it run like a turd I still have the carter off my slant I kept it all these years even though I have not had the car since 98 or so

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Definitely not a big enough leak to do what it was doing.

[@johnelliott7375]

Believe it.😊

[@79tazman]

I had a super six in my 1979 Aspen my first car by the way beat the snot out of it but she always ran except at the end the oil light use to flicker it looked like something was on fire in the car when it idled at night with the flickering glow of the oil light LOL!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Haaahaha. Classic.

[@davestark2015]

I personally love break stands ,,, thats what tires are for

[@mikeystoy]

We called it a Tijuana overhaul, or an Italian tuneup

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Oh I thought that was pouring water down the carb - which I never got around to.

[@barrycuda3769]

I noticed that the Valiants steering wheel is cracked at the base of the spokes, I haven't seen one yet that wasn't cracked, I wonder why that happens? the steering wheel centre badge on your one looks in good condition, my ones got cracks all over it , like most Iv'e seen , I think you can get them new now in Australia . .

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Like all of them do that. Something about the material they used shrinking and the metal reinforcement inside staying put. I need to get my cracked Charger wheel fixed one of these years.

[@johnelliott7375]

I would love to get it as is then start a channel driving it home from your place.

[@cowthedestroyer]

my slant hates me. Ran fine with no collant and so i added coolant and it leaked from the intake studs and thermostat housing. Then it wants to idle at 2500 for some reason maybe its just a 1945 thing or im missing a spring or something. Well it stopped leaking at the intake studs and decided to leak even harder at the housing like i just want to drive the damn thing

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Damn them… don’t know on that, I’ve had pretty good luck with the 1945 actually.

[@Jesse-lu7bt]

I like them ol slant six starters had there on sound😊

[@1575murray]

Those gear reduction starters were used across the board except for the 426 Hemi with a 4 speed manual transmission.

[@Jesse-lu7bt]

Down under the Aussies love the ol slant six

[@johnkelly8525]

I m down Under and I hate them , don't drag me into your generalisation

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

😅

[@frankpeletz1818]

Aussie Speed is the only place to get performance parts fort a slant 6 now.

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

Luv it , what makes a Super Six ? It looks like nearly every slant we have in Oz all through the SIXtys . Why did we get em while yooz waited till the 70s ?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The slant started here in 1960. The “Super Six” setup is the factory two barrel carb and intake.

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

@@DeadDodgeGarage Cheers mate . we got em in 61but im pretty sure we got 2bbl's from the start. Luv how u take the time to answer u'r loyal subjects, we do appropriate it . Thank you.

[@SE-me2pt]

The super six had a cool looking air cleaner pie pan..lol

[@antoninoorfano8187]

Hi , we got the single barrel until the VE valiant 1967 which gave us option for the 2bbl or 1bbl

[@johnelliott7375]

Goes quickly anymore huh?😊

[@Jesse-lu7bt]

Post office used dusters for rural mail😊😮

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

😮

[@johnelliott7375]

Just enough blow by to keep the top end lubricated.

[@bigjimsrealm4369]

Hi Jamie! I’m a 63 year old Mopar guy. 1st car 70 Satellite 318(my brother wrecked it). Second car 67 Coronet 440 318, paid $500 for it. Anyway, do you find cars for people? I’m thinking about getting another 69/70 Satellite/Roadrunner. Maybe something that’s serviceable, and have you do the work. Love what you do. Jim in NC

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I don’t really find cars, no. We keep an eye out for deals and take them as they come. I can’t say I know where any of those are at present (well, except Tom’s 440 6 barrel ‘70 Roadrunner, I guess. But it’s not exactly for sale.) I’m a long way from NC, but cars can be shipped. I have a customer car here from California as we speak.

[@bigjimsrealm4369]

@@DeadDodgeGarage thx Jamie. Love the channel and the way you do things.

[@johnelliott7375]

Believe it

[@440Nichole]

Really loving your mopar content, so varied

[@jlsracing997]

Very impressed with your knowledge of all the ins and outs of old Mopars. Are you any relation to Steve Magnante?

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Not at all. But I like that guy!

[@SE-me2pt]

No offense but I've never seen Steve turn a wrench. He had some great articles in my old Mopar magazines though.

[@jlsracing997]

@@SE-me2pt I wasn't talking about spinning wrenches. I was talking about the knowledge of all the little nuances between years and models etc.

[@SE-me2pt]

@@jlsracing997 I here ya, I have seen Steve's model car collection, do you know if he actually owns any actual vintage Detroit iron? Just wondering.

[@jlsracing997]

@@SE-me2pt I believe I heard Uncle Tony talk about his cars. it might have been the time Steve was on his show so I know he does, but not sure what.

[@steveash9831]

What thu? Did my eyes just deceive me?! Or is that rickety old Valiant really not crap green?!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Just the stuff growing on it 😅

[@Trex1268]

When do we get to see the engine fire? 😛

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Lol

[@79tazman]

That's a older slant six engine someone most of took the intake and exhaust manifold off a super six and put it on it because the super six did not have the plug cups like that one does plus it's red and the super six was blue from factory so it's a early engine that had the single barrel intake swapped for the 2 barrel manifold

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

I kinda said that…

[@martentrudeau6948]

I do like the Slant 6.

[@randyman828]

Slant 6 s run forever.

[@NCmtnDweller]

Good Super Stock car build !!! U sale the car ??

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

It has been sold, yes.

[@stevenfan1218]

They did actually make a valiant with 200plus horsepower.cant remember exactly..I do no they ran really good...my dad drove one for years..

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

The 273 made plenty of power - particularly in Commando form. They are excellent engines.

[@frankpeletz1818]

Power nation has video u on the ultimate slant 6 build

[@steveblottenberger1097]

Dude you got to help a sense of humor before you make me laugh keep up the good work

[@buza1300]

😎💙👍

[@craigbowley6783]

Anyone that hates brake stands. Has no soul!

[@johnelliott7375]

Just like you dropped it in.

[@79tazman]

I would buy that car if I lived closer but it would cost more for shipping then the price of the car now if it was a Barracuda that would be a little different since I love them big back window fastback barracuda's

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

We have two barracudas

[@stevenfan1218]

Looks like the rings are worn out.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Thing hasn’t run in years. Some blow by is definitely to be expected. It may well clear up somewhat in time.

[@tonyb3864]

I can't understand why this video has so many views compared to some of your other ones.

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Funny, I was just looking at the numbers and wondering why it doesn’t. Lol. That ‘67 Charger video from last week has over 70,000…

[@googleusername5587]

Wait, who hates brake stands?!

[@DeadDodgeGarage]

Ridiculous commenters 😅

[@EarlwithanE]

I guess friends let friends buy junk and actually encourage it too!!! 😂😂😂