Aluminum slant six

[broszzy]

I have a 71 Gt that should of been a parts car but I'm going to save it instead. The top half is in good shape but the bottom needs frame, floor, rockers you get the pic. I want to do something different with the drive train but didn't know what. we all know there's not much room in the engine bay. Then I came across a aluminum block slant six that got my wheels spinning. Thirty degree slant would fit nice, three hundred eighty pounds, not much more than stock move the battery to the rear almost covers that. Just thought I would run it buy you guys for any thoughts or ideals.

Pat

[First opel 1981]

I thought about a slant six back in 1982 when I had to rebuild my engine the first time.
I had already done away with the hood hinges by that time. I just removed my hood to work on the engine and had racing pins to keep it on the car. What I had thought at the time was moving the battery to the rear bench OR relocating the battery to where the stock air cleaner bolts down.
Then I was going to rework the hood to enlongate it and make it a 2 piece hood that removes. There would be a seam down the middle of the hood, basically. The radiator was going to be mounted at a severe angle and using an electric fan (at the time electric fans weren't easy to find in wrecking yards).

I had done the measurements and it would have worked but then I realized....just rebuilding the motor would be cheaper (at the time).

[DennisGardiner]

How about,... sky's the limit.

Turbo BMW 320i engine.

http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/P1080605.jpg

[deaner]

Originally Posted by DennisGardiner How about,... skys the limit. Turbo BMW 320i engine. http://i118.photobucket.com/albums/o...t/P1080605.jpg

That is an M30 6 cyl. BMW Motor. Not to be confused with the 2.0 4 cyl. found in most US 320i's.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by First opel 1981 I thought about a slant six back in 1982 when I had to rebuild my engine the first time.

The old Mopar slant six?

Harold

[First opel 1981]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr The old Mopar slant six? Harold

Yes, specifically one out of an old Dodge Dart that was in the back yard. The engine had been rebuilt in that car shortly before it was wrecked.

Hey, but don't feel bad, I never did it. Rebuilt that little 1.9 a few times. Darned lead foot and all. I did, eventually, learn why they had a redline on the tach.

[Dirk]

Originally Posted by First opel 1981 Yes, specifically one out of an old Dodge Dart that was in the back yard. The engine had been rebuilt in that car shortly before it was wrecked. Hey, but don't feel bad, I never did it. Rebuilt that little 1.9 a few times. Darned lead foot and all. I did, eventually, learn why they had a redline on the tach.

Thats the line that shows you your just about to the spot where the fun stuff happens right?

[First opel 1981]

Originally Posted by Dirk Thats the line that shows you your just about to the spot where the fun stuff happens right?

I began to think of it as the change engine line. The first time was a rod bearing but in my defense, the return spring on the accelerator broke AND I won the race.

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by broszzy Then I came across a aluminum block slant six that got my wheels spinning. Pat

Where did you come across an Al block slant six? I've never heard of such a thing block or head. The engine was introduced in the 1960 models and was still in production as late as 1991 as a marine engine.

Harold

[baz]

the bmw engine goes into a gt quite well

been there
done that
got the tee shirt




if the whole of the bottom of the car is junk then why not look at a body transplant onto another floor! i was going to put my GT body onto a jaguar xjs , easy job to do if you can weld , all the running gear is up to the job as its all jag and only the evil Lucas electricals to change to make it a good , fast 300 bhp car

[Aardvaark]

Which displacement on the Dart slant 6? 170ci or 225ci ?
I had a 225 ci w/3spd manual in a 1960 Plymount Savoy full size
2dr sedan, and even as heavy as it was at around 3500lb, would perform quite well, and in a GT should really scoot. Clifford made/ still makes I believe some speed parts for these like 4bbl manifords, cams, pistons, headers etc. and work very well on them.

BTW. I wasn't aware (or forgot) that an aluminum block slant 6 was sold. Thought they all were cast iron blocks.

[First opel 1981]

Originally Posted by Aardvaark Which displacement on the Dart slant 6? 170ci or 225ci ? I had a 225 ci w/3spd manual in a 1960 Plymount Savoy full size 2dr sedan, and even as heavy as it was at around 3500lb, would perform quite well, and in a GT should really scoot. Clifford made/ still makes I believe some speed parts for these like 4bbl manifords, cams, pistons, headers etc. and work very well on them. BTW. I wasn't aware (or forgot) that an aluminum block slant 6 was sold. Thought they all were cast iron blocks.

Well, it was a long time ago but I want to say it was a 225. Only reason I say this is because the guy who parked the car in our yard said it was the bigger engine. He was a friend of the family and I was only 18yo. I barely understood the difference in size of Ford engines, let alone dodge or Opel.

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by First opel 1981 Originally Posted by Aardvaark Which displacement on the Dart slant 6? 170ci or 225ci ? I had a 225 ci w/3spd manual in a 1960 Plymount Savoy full size 2dr sedan, and even as heavy as it was at around 3500lb, would perform quite well, and in a GT should really scoot. Clifford made/ still makes I believe some speed parts for these like 4bbl manifords, cams, pistons, headers etc. and work very well on them. BTW. I wasn't aware (or forgot) that an aluminum block slant 6 was sold. Thought they all were cast iron blocks. Well, it was a long time ago but I want to say it was a 225. Only reason I say this is because the guy who parked the car in our yard said it was the bigger engine. He was a friend of the family and I was only 18yo. I barely understood the difference in size of Ford engines, let alone dodge or Opel.

Actually remembered this from early '60s production, but Googled it to confirm:

"Slant Six engine - Performance upgrades: From mid-1961 to 1963, 50,000 225-cid Slant Six engines were produced with an aluminum engine block" . . .

. . . it was later discontinued because of production costs and casting yields compared to cast iron blocks.

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by tekenaar Actually remembered this from early '60s production, but Googled it to confirm: "Slant Six engine - Performance upgrades: From mid-1961 to 1963, 50,000 225-cid Slant Six engines were produced with an aluminum engine block." . . . it was discontinued because of costs and casting yields compared to cast iron blocks.

. . . just Googled Clifford and they still have a lot of "goodies" available for these engines . . . headers, triple Weber sidedraft intakes and even an adjustable 1.6 rocker bar assembly! The cast iron head on this engine, though not crossflow, does have individual ports for all valves, not siamesed like many sixes of the '50's and '60's! Woohoo!

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by tekenaar Actually remembered this from early '60s production, but Googled it to confirm: "Slant Six engine - Performance upgrades: From mid-1961 to 1963, 50,000 225-cid Slant Six engines were produced with an aluminum engine block" . . . . . . it was later discontinued because of production costs and casting yields compared to cast iron blocks.

Otto, I would have argued with ANYONE else about the existence of an Al block slant six. Now what could a person do with that engine in a "Feather Duster"? I don't know which would be more fun going for MPG or POWER! Aw heck, build two! I'll bet you could make it handle decent too! Can't tell I'm a closet Mopar fan can you?

Harold

[BQS4]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Can't tell I'm a closet Mopar fan can you? Harold

That and the big Dodge truck you drive....

[broszzy]

Where did you come across an Al block slant six? I've never heard of such a thing block or head. The engine was introduced in the 1960 models and was still in production as late as 1991 as a marine engine.

Harold

Here's a link to a site.

Here is a little background and history on the Aluminum Block Slant Six engine

[broszzy]

Here's some cool possibilities



Hot Sixes info,Performance Parts,straight & V6 speed equipment Chrysler Slant 6

[hrcollinsjr]

Originally Posted by hrcollinsjr Now what could a person do with that engine in a "Feather Duster"? I don't know which would be more fun going for MPG or POWER! Aw heck, build two! I'll bet you could make it handle decent too! Harold

Lookie what I found.

The Feather Dusters were made in 1976, with an aluminum inner hood, trunk bracing, bumper brackets, and intake manifold; economy carb and distributor calibration; large exhaust system; tall rear axle ratio; and either 3 speed auto or 4 speed overdrive manual trans. Their gas mileage was great for their day, and even for the present, given their size: 24 city, 36 highway. Few modern cars of that size can claim this. With an automatic, gas mileage slipped considerably, to 22 city/31 highway - still comparable to modern cars.

Now add to that simple things like an Al block, better tires, maybe lower it slightly, synthetic gear and engine oil , some type of aftermarket injection, electric cooling fan, etc. I think I also saw that it offered a near 50/50 weight distribution.

My first car was a Dart Sport with six pack scoops. I thought it was fast!

broszzy thanks for the link,
Harold

[opelbits]

There was also a 'Hyper Pak' four barrel motor (mentioned in the second link) available around '61. My book shows it only in the Dodge listings, but not the Plymouth section. It is unclear if it was for the iron or aluminum motors. The rated hp for the Hyper Pak was 195-ish, but was reputed to be closer to 275 hp. It was an option for the drag race crowd looking for high power in light cars, like the Dart.

[Aardvaark]

Me with my 1960 Plymouth Savoy with the 225 ci slant 6 and 'three on the tree'. It had the 'torsion bar' front suspension and, for a large American car,
handled pretty decent for the day.
Photo was taken at Ft. Scott with Alcatraz in the background
in fall of 1967 while stationed at Mare Is.
I'd love to have that car back!

[broszzy]

They don't make um like that any more! Bet you still got 25+ mpg too

[tekenaar]

Originally Posted by broszzy Where did you come across an Al block slant six? I've never heard of such a thing block or head. The engine was introduced in the 1960 models and was still in production as late as 1991 as a marine engine. Harold Here's a link to a site. Here is a little background and history on the Aluminum Block Slant Six engine

. . . uh, duplicate of link in my post #13,

Originally Posted by tekenaar "Slant Six engine

. . .

[Mike Preble]

In 1972, I owned a '64 Dodge Dart GT 2-door. It had a factory installed 4-speed on the floor with a Hurst shifter. Under the hood was a cast iron slant six with the Hyper-pack option. Carter 4-barrel carb and a 3 into 1 set of exhaust manifolds leading back to a true dual exhaust. It rode on true magnesium rims which, I was told later, have a short life expectancy of around 10 years.

It was a money pit as the first thing I had to invest in was a complete rebuild of the front torsion-bar suspension and I had to run high test gas, as I later found out that it had high compression Aries forged pistons. Had to part ways with it as I couldn't make enough money to survive and afford this car.

Hind sight is most always 20/20 and I didn't realize until many years later what I had. Can't cry over spilled milk, but I do keep my eyes open here in Tucson because some day it may show up.


Mike

[opelnut_1]

Car I learned to drive in was a 62 valiant with three on the tree an a alu 225 nice car, no reliability issues or premature wear. Father changed the oil every 3k and when we sold it it had 200k+ beat many a celica in its day and man, with the studded snows and a bag of sand in the trunk, it was a great winter car