Why every 1960-80 Mopar slant six should have "noisy lifters"

[@colehara]

Those engines were practically indestructible.

[@-Wolfgang]

Had a 71 Demon and a 73 Duster, both with noisy slant 6 engines. The engines outlasted the cars.

[@flashesofblack4128]

The Mopar slant six. One of the most durable and indestructible automotive engines ever made!

[@mrnovacan2158]

I`m with ya on that my first car was 1966 4 dr valiant super 225 and three on the tree, I got it in 1971 It was a wicked great car! Good on gas if your drove reasonable, but it was my first car so I wasn`t always reasonable,,, lol

[@flashesofblack4128]

Yes I remember those old Valiants. Great slant six engines and transmissions. I always thought the sheet metal bodys were a little inferior to GM manufactured cars, but if you took care of them they would last a lifetime!!@@mrnovacan2158

[@danielthomas791]

....had three different Mopars with this engine... ….best six-cylinder motor I ever owned.. the good old days!!....

[@karlelliott9254]

Bought a 1974 red Plymouth Duster in 1976 with 18,000 miles in central N. C. Slant six factory three in the floor. Transmission specified ATF fluid but it was a manual. No power accessories at all, brakes, steering, AC, nothing. Would do 83 MPH in second and 105 in third and got 33 MPG all day long on a one barrel Holly on the highway. 300,000 miles in 16 years with normal wear items and two sets of rear axle outer bearings at $20 each. Bone stock, 185-14 Michelins went 85,000 miles every set. Torsion bar suspension can't be beat, real fun to drive every day even in 12 inches of snow! I now have a 2018 Camry SE that gets 44 on the highway and is the only car I have ever owned that makes me feel like my Plymouth Duster did. Economy top tier, fun top tier, handling incredible, fast enough, safe, reliable and everyone likes it. Go Kentucky! Be sure to drink your Ovaltine (A Christmas a Story, and be sure to adjust the valve rockers). Thanks for your video. I have a few hundred old car stories.

[@rcnelson]

My Volare with the four speed OD trans also uses ATF. Strangest thing, but it works.

Those slant sixes 170 & 225 cubes,and the cars they were in,were very reliable and economical cars to own.Teamed up with a 3 speed manual or a 904 it was easily the toughest car in its price range. The 170 was in a van,and so was the 225 when the engines lived with you in the cab.Superb delivery vehicles of great endurance.If somebody would have put fuel injection,and MAYBE a turbo on them- that vehicle would be a rocket

[@crankyyankee7290]

There was also a 260 inchg version for some trucks,met a guy who had a dual,carb,, hot cam,header,etc equipped 260 in an early Barracuda,sounded mean,went like stink-I had a 63 golden edition Dart GT convert. with the 225-great car.

[@ThePaulv12]

To correctly adjust the valves on these or any inline 6 with a firing order of 1, 5, 3, 6, 2, 4 (which is about 99.9999999% of them, you need to know a secret. The secret, that is no secret at all is the opposite cylinders from the outside in *6-1, 2-5, 4-3, 1-6, 5-2, 3-4 have a handy relationship for valve adjustment. *notice how the 2nd numbers are the firing order of 1,5,3,6,2,4. This is because when you see the engine without the head on you can see cylinders' 1&6 pistons rise and fall together. This happens on 2&5 and 3&4. Since the cylinders don't fire together this means the other piston in the pair are exactly 2 strokes or one full turn away. To make it a bit clearer imagine if the head was off your Slant 6 engine. looking down at the cylinders put in your head that: 1 and 6 are a pair (and vice versa) and go up and down together 2 and 5 are a pair (and vice versa) and go up and down together 3 and 4 are a pair (and vice versa) and go up and down together Inline 6 below with cylinder 1 at top and cylinder 6 at bottom shows lash adjustment relationship: Chart to adjust cylinder 1 rock no 6 (pair) to adjust cylinder 2 rock no 5 (pair) to adjust cylinder 3 rock no 4 (pair) to adjust cylinder 4 rock no 3 (vice versa pair) to adjust cylinder 5 rock no 2 (vice versa pair) to adjust cylinder 6 rock no 1 (vice versa pair) So there's really only 3 pairs yeah?? 'rock' means intake closing, exhaust opening (so the end of the exhaust stroke and beginning of the intake stroke ie the overlap phase) The rocker arms are both moving ie one closing the other opening. It so happens that when the rocking cylinders are rocking, the opposite cylinder as shown in the chart above has the cam lobes on the base circle of the camshaft and can be adjusted correctly. Now since our motor doesn't fire in the order 1,2,3,4,5,6 there is a far more efficient way of doing it rather than rotating the engine 10x and it going cold and the lash changing when it warms up again because we adjusted the lash hot and it cooled down because we took so long. So - On a 4 stroke engine there are 2 TDC positions. What we're aiming to do here is get the correct TDC of no1 at TDC at the end of the *compression stroke* (or beginning of the power stroke - SAME THING). A) Note position of no1 spark plug wire in the cap. Remove distributor cap. Rotate motor until distributor rotor is around the position of no1. B) Remove rocker cover. Rotate the motor with the fan to get no. 6 rocking. It should already be really close since we just rotated the motor so dist rotor was pointing to No.1 (the chart above shows the relationship) Now we've done that, this is the magic: We should be able to adjust all the cylinders in two rotations of the crankshaft. 4 strokes = 720deg crank rotation or two turns. 720 deg divide 6 cylinders = 120 deg crank rotation per valve adjustment. The distributor rotor further helps by pointing to the cylinder we need to adjust next! We're now going to adjust all the valve lashes in the firing order like a professional mechanic. Remember inline 6 firing order 1-5-3-6-2-4 and the pairs shown in the chart. C) So if we followed A & B (above) no *1* is ready to adjust - adjust it to hot spec. the next cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke is going to be no *5* This means rock no 2 adjust 5 the next cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke is going to be no *3* This means rock no 4 adjust 3 the next cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke is going to be no *6* This means rock no 1 adjust 6 the next cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke is going to be no *2* This means rock no 5 adjust 2 the next cylinder at TDC on the compression stroke is going to be no *4* This means rock no 3 adjust 4 The bold numbers show the firing order. Again, If the head were off your Slant 6 engine looking at the cylinders put in your head that: 1 and 6 are a pair and vice versa. 2 and 5 are a pair and vice versa. 3 and 4 are a pair and vice versa. This technique also works for inline 4 cylinder engines ie 1-4 2-3 and vice versa are the pairs. Exact same principal for lash adjustment except have to turn the motor 180 degrees instead of 120 in a 6! You can't use this technique on a V8 or V6 because the cylinder numbering is often different therefore the cam lobes are in different positions from different manufacurers but it does work on a V12 because it has a firing order of an inline 6 per bank ie each bank is 1-5-3-6-2-4 lol.

[@kennethwallace4338]

ThePaulv12 well at least I know why these things tore themselves apart after a long good hard run. Knew a few people who never took the valve covers off though they tweek the carb every chance they had. In every case the crank eventually gave out even with schedule oil changes.

[@ThePaulv12]

@@kennethwallace4338 i completely agree with you Average reliability and after the hard run at 90mph no.6 big end lets go, ventilates the block and smashes the starter off. They're an effing pos! lol I know.

[@DanielGarcia-pk6br]

Damn you know a lot

[@slicksnewonenow]

GREAT engines! I had a '67 Dart GT coupe with a 225 Hyper Pak in it... Ran like a scalded dog.

[@daniellau5859]

Watching the rockers go looks like a typewriter putting in work. Very cool

[@josephjames259]

The good, old indestructible slant 6!

[@ThePaulv12]

indestructable my ass! average reliability at best.

[@ThePaulv12]

@@rcnelson look I'm a mechanic. It is unnecessary for you to tell me my business - but hey, thanks anyhow lol.

[@josephjames259]

@@ThePaulv12 My 65 Dart is at 97K miles. I drive it every day and it hasn’t required any major maintenance. We won’t see any Toyota or Honda cars of today 50 years from now. The slant 6 is known as a reliable engine because it is.

[@walterweddle7644]

First lady Mamie Eisenhower owned a 62 Plymouth Valiant ... The car is one of the exhibits at Mamie Eisenhower's Birthplace.

[@bradhampton6457]

Yes the Eisenhower’s owned quite a few Chrysler products. Also a 1960 Plymouth Suburban Wagon. And the Truman’s drove Mopars too.

[@kellyg8717]

I've got a 1970 Plymouth Variant slant 6 with 108000 miles on it. I didn't know about adjusting the valves, now I do. Thanks for the vid.

[@recoveringnewyorker2243]

I remember adjusting valve lash on Japanese engines. I never could convince people to have the simple service performed. That is until the engine would hardly run. Great video, thanks.

[@dukecraig2402]

It just means they're running, that's all. Oil is optional, only required if you want better mileage.

[@mayiofferyousomealternativ7205]

Fixing up grandparents and dad's 63 dart (2dr, 270 trim). Turned over the slant six after 15 years of sitting. Starting the partial restoration process.

[@troyjones4665]

ONE OF THE BEST ENGINE DESIGNS EVER !

[@whackamolechamp]

My Grandfather had a 67 Belvedere with a 225 and I remember that sound. It brings back great memories. Thanks for posting this.

[@raywilson7797]

The great leaning tower of power

[@mrdanforth3744]

If the lifters are adjusted regularly they are as quiet as a hydraulic lifter engine. In the case of an old engine, quieter. I have had a dozen slant sixes and only one had quiet lifters. It was a 22 year old pickup truck with 160,000 miles on it, BUT it had been maintained properly all its life. Solid lifter cams are designed with clearance ramps that take up the valve clearance gently before opening the valves. Hydraulic lifter cams don't have clearance ramps which is why you can't run solid lifters on a hydraulic cam or vice versa. One that is not kept adjusted will continue to run but, the tip of the rocker arm and the end of the valve stem get pounded out of shape. After that you can adjust them and they will be quieter but never completely silent.

[@ericshinault3628]

The elipse or the grind is different. Learned that fooling around with old Ford stuff.

[@JamesSmith-jx1sh]

Had a 68 Dart with a slant six when I was seventeen. Loved that car and the engine was indestructible. Remember one time It overheated so hot it shut off, waited till it cooled down, filled it up and kept going.

[@kct9967]

I've had 2 cars with the Slant 6, you can't kill them!

[@tonyrigo9096]

I tried killing one it didn't work

[@adamvanallen8062]

Yep, learned about this the hard way! Let a local shop do a head gasket job on a Volare station wagon with the slant 6 in it. Apparently, they didn’t know about this because I put twenty miles on it before disaster ensued! Broke my rockers in three places and put a hole in number one piston! I was livid! Still drove it another 60 miles to my destination with the motor busted up like that! Damn thing just wouldn’t die!

[@marksommers6764]

Grandpa had a slant 6 in a '60 Valiant Station wagon...over 300K mi , never had the valve cover off . Worked at a ski resort for a summer and a couple of the Auxiliary Power Units (back up to the electric motors) were Industrial 225 motors !

[@gastonave]

One of the reasons the slant six is so durable is that it was originally supposed to be an aluminum block engine. After the engineers drew up the design the company brass changed their minds and decided it would be a cast iron block but they went ahead and used the design for an aluminum block so the block was much thicker than cast iron engine designs usually were.

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

They did make a lot of them in aluminum though in the early years. Clark 9the forklift company) used them in an RV they made for s short time, darts and Valiants could have one in a sport model. One of the features of the engine was it's long stroke, it's why the engine was tilted over to allow room for a lower hood line with a larger size engine. The longer stroke gave it more torque so as to make good power at lower revs, also improving economy, which was a big selling point in the early 60's. Chrysler got their money out of the design.

[@papasteve215]

My parents had a Valiant, bought it new in ‘65. And they traded it in for a ‘68 both had the slant six. Both were good little cars. My dad gave me a ‘48 Plymouth Coupe when I was 14 and said fix it up and you’ll have something to drive when you get your license. Dad was a Mopar man from way back. He had a ‘58 Dodge he bought in ‘59 and took it to the drag races for a couple of years and won his class regularly. But as far as dependability those slant six engines were the deal.

[@indridcold8433]

The AMC 242ci I6 has noisy lifers as well, at start up. Once warm, they run quiet. I have not seen a vehicle with an AMC 242ci I6 engine that does not start noisy. But they last forever.

[@edwardpate6128]

The best and most accurate way to do it is to get the engine hot then shut it off and use a socket and breaker bar to turn the engine slowly while you set each valve. If you are quick about it you probably won't have to restart the engine to keep it hot, however I do believe the old Motor service manuals had settings for both hot and cold. Just never like getting my feeler gauge in there on a running engine.

[@zacharyradford1708]

Reminds me of tuning 6.2 diesels in the army. The new guys would always tune the injection timing till the engine ran super quite at idle. And I would always laugh as they went to drive it out of the shop and it wouldn’t go no where. Some times perfectly quiet is not perfect. Motor sounds great Tyler just like a old slant six should.

[@615theBuzzard]

Love these old cars. I have a 68 valiant myself.

[@CubCadetMan71]

What a beautiful sounding motor.

[@bringbacknames]

I had a 69 slant six Valiant that you couldn't hear running from inside the car. I got it with 38000 miles.

[@moonbeamskies3346]

Great video. The slant six rocks.

[@TheFrogfeeder]

Hey off topic, but I know people here know their slant 6s, I’m still new to them… where are you guys installing the probe for an aftermarket temp gauge, the hole for the stock sensor is too small, is there another spot or do I drill and tap? I ordered standard auto-meter 2inch gauges for temp and oil pressure. These things seem to bolt right in to a v8…

[@hankbridges5055]

If you set them too tight, it'll cause rough idle when hot. The alternator brushes are replaced from the outside. Use 20w50 in the Summer. The needle valve is replaced externally. Some have spark plug tube seals. The rubber O-ring leaks. The distributor gear is plastic. Check cylinder leakdown to check rings, valves, and head- gasket. Look up the improved head-gasket from the PCB. It's probably a steel gasket and not a Fel-Pro Blue stripe. The crank gear is pressed on. The front end has strut rods to adjust the caster. The camber is set by the egg-shaped cams.

[@Joshie2256]

20W-50 is unnecessary and as the oil pump driven gear is a weak point 20W-50 can contribute to oil pump gear failure. The strut rods are not adjustable. Camber and caster are both adjusted at the upper control arm eccentric bolts.

[@hankbridges5055]

@@Joshie2256 It cools the engine in very hot weather. It won't be too thick. The thicker oil absorbs heat from the cylinders and cools the engine. The bearings run cooler thereby extending bearing life. The valves run cooler especially the exhaust. The extra oil on cylinders drops into the pan. It takes up space between ring grooves. It oils the timing chain for longer life. The oil pump on a slant 6 is the rotor-type and the other end is a gear. It runs off the cam gear on the shaft. Thick oil transfers heat in the pan. It transfers heat so the oil picked up by the pump is cooler. Heads run cooler. Cams last longer. Heat is the destroyer of metal.

[@OldCarAlley]

Looks like it was a well cared for engine... the inside is clean. Back in the day, I could tell what engine was in any brand or type of car, just by there sound. They all had there own unique sound. Now days cars and engines are so generic, they all sound the same.

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

It's a mystery engine. Dated 1972 with an actual mid-90's Mopar water pump which you cannot get anymore. It had the original manifolds and distributor installed. No trace of blue paint so I assume it has been rebuilt.

[@carlstclair9920]

@@TylersNeighborhoodGarage they were very easy to work on had no problems adjusting the valve lash on my dad's 80 Volare.

[@alterman156channel]

The Slant 6 engine was practically bulletproof. Those engines often outlasted the vehicles that they were in. The sound is also familiar. It was hard to beat the old Slant 6 engine.

[@joeford860]

I owned one with hydraulic lifters an 81 Le Baron the rest where solid.

[@jfk64kennedy95]

had a slant 6, blew the transmission at around 95,000, our mechanic bought the car and put the engine in his wife's car

[@Backyardmech1]

I loved the touch needing to be given to solid lifter engines, but loved rollers more. No break in for new cams and made less noise. Great video btw. More knowledge in the old bean.

[@duncandmcgrath6290]

Had a 74 Dart an 80 Córdoba with the slant six..... different but indestructible

[@fairfaxcat1312]

Ten lashes with a wet noodle is the penalty for not adjusting the lash.

[@joealbert7773]

I believe that all the cars had solid lifters and only the late truck engines had hydraulics. That was after they stopped putting the slant 6 in cars, maybe 82?

[@cdwwillow9671]

I blow two of them up when I was younger , one dropped a valve at 85 mph , the other cooked when rock went through radiator ! One was an ap5 the other an ap6 , valiant , that's the name of them in Australia , high from Australia !

[@SuspenseESCAPEremastered]

Good motor! Like Ford's big 300 six, these engines run forever! GM never had such a reliable inline six. Noisy lifters? MOTOR HONEY!!!!!

[@Wildstar40]

The hell you say ?!?! GM's 250 inline was bullet proof just like the 225 and the 300. AMC's 232 and 258 were damn good engines as well.

[@leonardmacaulay9833]

LincolnTek Too true my Gremlin was a 258 with a three speed and would chirp in every gear but neutral.

[@bobwhammer4237]

Had a straight 6 200ci in a mustang with a 3 speed, 198ci Plymouth duster and chevy nova 250ci, all great low maintenance engines made in Detroit.

[@rightlanehog3151]

When I finally switched to synthetic oil, my Slant Six quieted right down.

[@kadillacdeville]

Tyler, where did you get the new windshield washer fluid bottle? I need both coolant and windshield on my 79 Cadillac Deville. Thanks.

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

It was via ebay. Not sure they repop them for a Caddy yet.

[@davidn7457]

My opinion, hands down, the best engine ever designed and manufactured. Mated to a 727, the combo will outlast the rest of the vehicle.

[@zephyr332]

Those engines will run forever!

[@gregdrew874]

Billy Bob Thornton. There. Now you'll never un-hear it.

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

I started this channel in 2010 and heard it then. You are 9 years late.

[@glenbo2464]

Runs awesome !

[@aceroadholder2185]

Post war Chevrolet OHV sixes are the same. With the engine warmed up and the hood raised you should just hear the valve train. If you can't, the lash is set too tight and burnt valves will result. On some engines back in the day, you could adjust the valves with the engine running. Pontiac streight 8 flat head engines for example could be done this way. Pull the passenger side front wheel, lift the fender mud flap away from the upper A arm, and remove the two valve covers. If you have a noisey lifter you can hold each lifter in turn to find it. Crack the lock nut on the adjuster and turn the adjuster till it quiets down. Like the OHV solid lifter engines a nice soft clatter is desireable for a street engine.

[@topenddean]

That's pretty damn quiet! When they're adjusted properly they are very quiet as far as solid lifters go. I wouldn't classify slant sixes as having noisy lifters.

[@soaringvulture]

I agree. I've had several cars with slant sixes and they were real smooth and quiet; at idle, you could hardly tell they were running. A very good engine.

[@rexjolles]

wait how do you know when you adjsuted them correctly? i just got a beat up 69 AMC Rambler Rogue with a slant six (my first car)

[@sasz2107]

You're giving the right advice - but there is no way that the valves should be noisy like this if they are adjusted properly - as you said .010" intake and .020" exhaust with a fully HOT engine. If they are adjusted properly the engine will be quiet at idle. But it also should have no hint of ignition miss out the tailpipe (which would indicate an exhaust valve being held off its seat). I have adjusted the valves on many slant 6 engines and they never sounded like that! The problem you have here is that there doesn't appear to be any oil at all on top of the rocker arms. There absolutely should be oil in the little groove on the rocker arms! If there isn't, there is too much sludge in the rocker shaft. The rocker shaft is hollow and it allows oil to flow to the top of the rocker arms and over the valve stems. Either the rocker shaft is installed improperly - i.e. the hole in the shaft is pointing the wrong way, or the rocker shaft is full of sludge and it needs to be boiled out with caustic solution. It seems to me that the reason for the noisiness is lack of lubrication at the top of the engine - which needs to be corrected or the valve train is going to wear out. While adjusting the valves at idle, it isn't like oil should be all over the place, but it is pretty common for there to be enough oil on top of the engine with the valve over off for a small amount of it to run down the side of the engine.

[@gavinspearritt4910]

One thing i would reccomend for these old beuties,, buy a workshop manual,, some of them are hard to get an may cost a ( quite a few ) $$$$,, but well worth having,, they've saved me a lot of $$$ over the years

[@seniorjuanvaldez]

So you don't have to worry about oil splash? I haven't had the opportunity to work on one of these years

[@timothykeith1367]

When the motor is warm the idle speed is slow and not much oil is splashed. Its a good time to clean the motor anyway! Its a pretty easy job on the Valiants.

[@MicrophonicFool]

Very little compared to just about anything out there. The oil flows but doesn't splash

[@ir8d8rads]

It's better to hear 'em than to smell 'em...

[@winnabegobob1547]

I have a question I have a 83 dodge van that has a slant 6 in it factory will any slant 6 engine bolt in and work or it has to be for a van

[@1956MercM260]

Magnificent engines.

[@davidgriffin4401]

Sure remember that noise. Sounds good

[@fairfaxcat1312]

Mr. Neighborhood, why didn’t the slick commercials for “Chrysler-Plymouth Coming Through” and “Plymouth Makes It” during this era mention that these unsophisticated engines were designed to sound like “put put put?”

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

Beats me. Probably counted on most people listening to a Hemi go BWAAAAAHHH!!!!

[@craigjorgensen4637]

Those were great engines from a era where 100,000 miles was about the limit fir the cars of the day. Valve jobs were common around the 50,000 mark and ring jobs were necessary shortly thereafter. By 100k a rebore was usually needed. The slant sixes were the exception. They would do 150,000 miles and more. They didn't get great fuel economy and they struggled with emissions. When the smog and fuel rules got stricter the end was soon to come and it did!

[@giberish9]

How many mpg does it get? Been contemplating getting a 79 dodge with the slant 6. Looks unmolested.

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

They can get around 20mpg on average driven normally

[@fairfaxcat1312]

Our KZbin commentator, “ThePaulv12,” here (below) lets loose with detailed instructions so sophisticated that viewers at once applaud his patience for taking the time for such a performance while collectively confessing that we aren’t smart enough to know whether his facts are accurate. Commentator “fairfaxcat” (yours truly) is so uninformed as to not know whether v12 is talking out of his rear or letting loose with an Einsteinian formula.

[@benjimenfranklin7650]

I had a Dodge dart 1962 model. It always rattled. The motor was tuff as nails. The transmission wasn't so hot . I replaced it twice . Had the same thing in a truck later on . Guess they didn't make good transmissions . My brother got a transmission from a 1952 truck that was very good it never broke.

[@soaringvulture]

Oh yeah. The 3-speed was pretty flimsy. I got pretty good at replacing transmissions in my 1964 Valiant. Fortunately, they were light enough that I could rest one on my chest while I was under the car.

[@benjimenfranklin7650]

@@soaringvulture I believe we did that a few times too until I found a four speed with over drive then I needed some help it weights more than the engine. I had a Doge dart first then a valiant and then a 1968 Plymouth Fury 3 , it was automatic but it leaked the day I got it and the day I got rid of it. Had it for ten years and it was a beast .

[@kodyweisbeck5026]

Cool car!!! I love valiants, was wondering what do you think your valiant gets for mpgs ??

[@mrdanforth3744]

I have had several slant six cars and trucks, best for mileage was a Dart Swinger hardtop with 225 and automatic that got 26MPG. Others got over 20. I don't know why that particular car got such good mileage. But, if the car is in tip top shape it is possible.

[@kodyweisbeck5026]

@@mrdanforth3744 I've got a 65 barracuda and it really only gets like 12-13 ish mpg, stock 225 with Holley 1920 1 Barrell, was fun to drive before I got hit in it... Will be fixed soon though an wow!!!! 26 ???? Jesus , that's great!

[@mrdanforth3744]

@@kodyweisbeck5026 I've never gotten under 20 hiway miles per gallon. Unless you are driving in heavy traffic you should do much better. Suggest you check compression and oil pressure, if engine is in decent shape it needs a tuneup and possibly a rebuilt carburetor. Don't overlook low tire pressure or dragging brakes, they can affect mileage.

[@mrdanforth3744]

@@kodyweisbeck5026 Chrysler Imperials with 413 V8s used to get 12.13MPG lol.

[@kodyweisbeck5026]

@@mrdanforth3744 engine has 110 psi in all cylinders and makes 60 oil pressure when cold an 50 warm

[@cashmoney7660]

I had a 68 Dodge van with the slant six that kept rusting out the freeze plugs. I got so mad one day I put a brick on the Excelerator with the engine running at full RPM then went inside ,watched a movie, came back out and the motor was still spinning away and I thought oh damn ,I guess I have to fix it. It kept running for several years after that LOL

[@stevejohnson1321]

One is noisier than the rest, although that's fairly common on 225 and 318.

[@kerryblueher3147]

That is a seriously dry top-end. Had a six cylinder Falcon the same way. Took the rocker stand off, ran an undersized reamer down the feed hole from the cam bearing and magically had oil flow once again. The old engine oils, and no doubt neglect from previous owner(s) had coked the passage shut. A new rocker shaft assy. from the junkyard and I was good to go.

[@timsmith854]

Ahh, my first car had a 160hp leaning tower of power. I can't confirm this but I heard that the Ruskies had a tank with a (copied) slant in each corner. Can anyone tell me about the slant with the aluminum block? It never came to Australia. Is it good for mods? Thanks.

[@4thstooge75]

Very rare if non existant Alum. slants were never produced in normal production.

[@claycoates5056]

there were a few hundred that were sold the price of the casting was High and stopped production

[@timsmith854]

@@4thstooge75 Thanks for the reply

[@timsmith854]

@@claycoates5056 Thanks for answering me.

[@Joshie2256]

The aluminum block, but iron head, was 225 only and was available as an extra-cost option in 1961 and 1962. They are not good for high performance use as the cylinder walls are thin and the bores are not supported at the top.

[@303nitzubishi4]

Slant 6 was a great engine and seems like it doesn't get as much recognition as it deserves. I am a Bowtie guy thru and thru and no engine will ever have the rep of the original small block, but the slant 6 is in the same league. It's a shame Chrysler didn't invest more in R&D on this engine into the 80s & 90s. It could have had a bit longer lifespan instead of wheezing to its grave like the BOP engines did in the early 80s.

[@rogerlizama1326]

Is a solid to hydraulic conversion possible?

[@rogerlizama1326]

@Michael Keegan So it isn't worth the trouble. Thanks!!

[@mjmcomputers]

Unfortunately most people just drive them till they have an issue and overlook things like this until it’s too late.

[@462ANIMAL]

I have a 1974 duster with the 225ci slant six Hasn't run since 1987. It's to far gone now body is rusted out. But I wonder if it would still run. Hmmm. I like to find another one

[@randallsullivan3692]

As long as it has been stored covered, I guarantee it will still run. I bought one last summer that had 5 of the 12 valves stuck and I STILL got it running! They are without doubt one of the toughest, most reliable engines ever produced.

[@462ANIMAL]

@@randallsullivan3692 unfortunately it's been outside not covered up .. I think before bug season I will pull the sparkplugs and check the cylinders with a camera .

[@randallsullivan3692]

If it will turn over and the valves are free.....it will run.

[@mrdanforth3744]

@@462ANIMAL If the spark plugs are in place, valve cover on, and air cleaner in place, I could have it running in an hour, 9 chances out of 10. Suggest you take the valve cover off and gently tap the valve end of each rocker with a small hammer, if it bounces the valve is free, if it goes thud the valve is stuck. Oil the valves and tap and pull up and down until they are all free. Squirt a little oil down the spark plug holes. Disconnect the gas tank at the fuel pump and put on a gas can or motorboat gas tank. Stick a fresh battery in and give it a go. If the ignition is firing fill up the carburetor and it should fire up for you. Let it warm up at a fast idle for 10 or 15 minutes and it should run like new. O ya be sure the rad is full and the crankcase has oil in it.

[@462ANIMAL]

Mr Danforth 374 The motors complete air cleaner and plugs are in .. It might not be seized up. But I think it will be as here in Ontario, Canada the moisture can be very high. I have a 61 StudeBaker hawk That's been parked since the 70's in a barn.. Top part of the barn was much dryer. I pulled it from the barn about 12 years ago and the motor was seized up.. Still might be, I filled up the cylinders with ATF years ago and never got back to it. The Hawk is in doors since so shouldn't be any worse .

[@tonywestvirginia]

How is the top lubricated ?

[@proofbox]

That being said can you simply put hydraulic lifters into a pre 80 car or truck ?

[@mrdanforth3744]

There was no provision in the block to oil the lifters, solids don't need it. On hydraulic lifter models they oiled the lifters down through hollow pushrods. You would need to change lifters, cam, pushrods and rockers. But, a solid lifter engine is just as quiet if the valves are adjusted every 20,000 miles. Reface the valve stems and put on new rocker arms and your engine will be quiet.

[@timallred6789]

Can you put the rockers off a s6 on a v8? Might be a dumb question but would be cool and cheep if you could

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

It's not a dumb question, but you cannot, they are different.

[@timallred6789]

@@TylersNeighborhoodGarage darn that sucks i have a locked up 73 s6 wanting to put adjustable rockers on a 88 dodge for a thumper cam

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

@@timallred6789 look for an early 273 V8, they used solid lifters through 1968.

[@timallred6789]

@@TylersNeighborhoodGarage ok

[@genegeneish]

These are solid lifters. They all make noise.

[@soaringvulture]

Well, the slant sixes didn't. I owned several and they were very quiet engines.

[@genegeneish]

@@soaringvulture they were great engines, the military used to put them in tow vehicles to move planes around. Ive had these and an old 273 v8. All solid lifters. Kept me from getting bored and in trouble.

[@xavierortiz2690]

I have a 71 Challenger with a 6cyl, l like it!

[@anthrodellrheno8439]

Lucas oil stabilizer with synthetic oil will help make it quieter.

[@LaramieJim]

Only problem with slant 6 is the intake manifold is on the same side of the exhuast manifold. MOPAR VAPOR LOCK

[@notablynova]

I put 200k on 2 separate slants and never once experienced vapor lock.

[@maynardreed4036]

The early ones all had solid lifters.

[@afastcuda1970]

Slants are great engines but they suffer from detonation. If unchecked, it will pound out a rod bearing quickly.

[@Joshie2256]

Not true. The rod bearings on a forged crank slant six are huge. The ring lands break far before any bearing damage is done.

[@marioncobaretti2280]

60 to 80 were solid , 81 to 85 slant sixes were all hydraulic lifters

[@NVMDSTEvil]

Have one running a generator, around 16,000 hours on it.

[@bobmorris9687]

Don't look like it's oiling at all...

[@rickardwood2762]

Move your rockers right and left till the oil start to bleed.shim it .

[@bluenorm]

intake valve adjusted at 12 exhausted at 22

[@Ed-po9kz]

#3 intake a little loose

[@125southernnh2]

Used to call them tappets.

[@dr.hugog.hackenbush9443]

Or retrofit the hydraulic valvetrain and have it be quiet.

[@Oldbmwr100rs]

if it can be done. Often a reason solid lifters can't be converted is that there aren't people oil passages in the block and the cam followers are narrower than hydraulic followers.

[@jonminnella2168]

Best engine

[@moeshouse575]

been there done that. but DO use the numbers he listed. dont think you know better than the factory!!!!!!

[@danmyself5341]

74 duster, same noise

[@timothylines3867]

red is 170 cid.

[@Joshie2256]

Red is common to both displacements. Engine color changed with year and also application.

[@timothylines3867]

225 was blue.in common autos from 1960there was a truck engine [bigger head] 243cid. .@@Joshie2256

[@motormouth_slicks9995]

😎

[@mschiffel1]

Sweeet music.

[@canabox7112]

Leaning tower of no power

[@TylersNeighborhoodGarage]

They are decent in a light A-body but once you run a Satellite or a Fury with one you will be disappointed. There is a video on here somewhere of a '68 or 69 Charger a guy bought with a factory slant six and there was one of those large Cordoba's that popped up on C-list with one.

[@canabox7112]

I bought a really clean pickup with one with a 4 speed.. I checked the timing set the lash. Compression test leak down test. Engine was fine. Just guttless

[@halberto9o8]

@@canabox7112 Same here, had a 3/4 ton pickup around 1976 with a 225 and close ratio 4-speed. Kind of a dog, but was OK if you kept rowing the gears.

[@rodneyturner3525]

How often do u need to adjust the valve lash

[@mrdanforth3744]

Every 20,000 miles. This used to be part of a normal tuneup back when we had carburetors and points ignition. Takes about 15 minutes and you have to replace the valve cover gasket. So, every 2 years or less often in normal driving.