My /6 63 1-ton is in need of a new power plant (burns a quart of oil in 20 miles and is starting to knock). Truck has 4.88 gears, so it's revving like hell at 45 mph.
I have a 74 225 out of a Valiant with only 75,000 miles on it on (although I think it is stuck now from sitting).
How should I build this engine for use in my truck? Ideas? Opinions?
Thanks,
Dan

Dan,

Some important considerations for a heavy truck are to run a double roller timing chain, one of Doc's tricked out oil pumps, increase the compression to 9.5 to one for more torque and a RV cam like Doc just designed (Erson RDP- reverse dual pattern) or like mine which will provide more torque. I actually used the same cam and had it reground to a taller profile. It was only $35.00 to have it done. I had my engine balanced and ported which really perked it up. When they did the valves and pocket porting they installed new bronze valve guides and steel inserts in the head for the exhaust valves. Use some good diesel engine oil to break the engine in like Kendall or Delo 400 or Rotella. It has more zinc to protect the cam during run-in.

I am sure the guys will chime in with other thoughts. If you have more cash left over you could install bigger exhaust, electronic ignition, a two barrel, dual exhaust for more torque, etc.......

_________________
Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

Some other questions to ask...

What Tranny (manual/Auto?) and tire size does the truck have?
What do you use the truck for (does it haul bark dust and gravel? Tow things? Just fun to get around in?)
What's your budget for this rebuild? What are you looking to get out of it?
More Power? Better mileage?


Just from experience the D300 is a heavy truck and the 4.88's are there to help the slant get it motivated (a buddy had a '67 Dodge D600 with the 413-2v and it was underpowered to haul that thing around... and I think it had 5.xx's under it...)

-D.Idiot

I pull a car trailer with it (usually haulling scrap metal). It has the old 4speed with non-syncronized 1st and 2nd.
I don't have much to spend on it. I have a 440/727 that I have considered for it, but I like the mileage the old slant gets.
Pictures of it here: http://www.cardomain.com/ride/3043639

Cool truck! Looks like an old hay wagon to me.

If the truck were mine I would use the engine from the Valiant as it has the newer factory mechanical cam and stronger block. The problem is your existing truck flywheel has a smaller center hole than the register on the back of the newer 225. You can either swap flywheels or have yours bored to accept the larger register of the later crank. It might be tough to find one of those flywheels so machining yours may be easier. Of course you need to have a pilot bearing in the Valiant engine's crank. I would tear down and inspect the Valiant engine and see what it needs. Chances are if the cylinders aren't rusty you can get away with a timing set, oil pump and maybe rings and bearings. I would measure the deck height of the pistons and the volume of the head's combustion chambers to calculate the compression ratio. Chances are it's well below the advertised 8.4:1. Since you do heavy hauling I would shoot for about 8.5:1. You should be able to achieve that by milling the head.

If you have some money left over I'd hunt down a Super Six 2bbl intake manifold and carburetor. With the 2bbl and a 2 1/4" exhaust system it should do noticeably better on the road.

Almost forgot! Electronic ignition will help starting, economy and power. Lots of info on this board on using factory stuff as well as HEI.

_________________
Joshua

I love that truck--great ride...

_________________
Slanted D150

Shagrat,

That's a sweet truck!

I will stand by my suggestions. Just do the basics to the current engine and a few upgrades to help increase the torque. They will help with it's longevity and mileage.

Out of curiosity, what carb is on it? and what mileage can you get?
The old big block V8 Ford trucks I used to drive like that only got 6 miles per gallon.

_________________
Aggressive Ted

http://cid-32f1e50ddb40a03c.photos.live ... %20Swinger


74 Swinger, 9.5 comp 254/.435 lift cam, 904, ram air, electric fans, 2.5" HP2 & FM70 ex, 1920 Holley#56jet, 2.76 8 3/4 Sure-Grip, 26" tires, 25+MPG

It's got the old Carter 1 bbl on it. It gets about 15 mpg.

Another thing that I keep thinking about is the Eaton M90 I have sitting on the shelf....

I would concur with Josh in keeping the compression ratio in this range over Ted's range since gas is of questionable quality nowadays. Also since the truck is heavy and you do some 'hauling' with it, keeping the compression ratio low and Volumetric efficiency lower should also keep the dynamic compression ratio low so you won't ping / have to keep your timing retarded to make it all work when hauling... I think the 9.5 static CR would have problems under load unless you decided to keep the VE and DCR down by continuing to strangle it with a Carter BBS (and sadly the Carter is not as... 'tuneable' as a Holley 2 or 4 barrel when it comes to metering gas in a modified engine)...


Good luck on your decision,

-D.Idiot