I bought a 76 dart with a /6 and found out they had NEVER changed the oil! I bought it when I was desperate, so I didn't check it out (stupid move). When I changed the oil I was the one who broke the paint film around the drain plug. (no signs of repaint) the car had over 120k miles on it and smoked like crazy. Hoping I'd be lucky and it was valve stem seals, I puled the valve cover... it looked like it was paved with asphalt with hollows ground out for the valve train. It was to hard to chip out with a putty knife.An old diesel mechanic recommended using 20% dexron in it till I could rebuild it. When I started I got 20 miles per quart, by the time I got around to rebuilding it I was up to 25 mpq and the valve cover cleaned up with a rag! Tearing it down I checked the rod and main journals/bearings. The bearings were down to copper about all of the lower shells, but the crank was not scored and were standard size! (plastigage showed oil clearance right where it should be) After removing the cylinder ridge, I pushed the pistons out and they fell back to the compression rings. the oil ring expanders were riding the cylinder wall! I put standard rings in and it ran like a champ. I can't believe how good it looked for not having the oil changed.

Yep thats why we think there the BEST engines ever built!!!!!!!
Frank

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Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

Congratulations on getting it to run properly!

I would have used a good Heavy Duty Engine Oil instead of ATF to clean the sludge out of the engine.

I had one in a 77 Dodge d-200 that burned a hole in #6 piston while I was pulling a tandem axle trailer on the highway. I could still hold 65 mph and even passed some cars. I drove that way for 150 miles. When I pulled the head there was a hole big enough to stick my thumb through! I should have rebuilt that engine, but was busy with a house remodel and moving so I stuck a 318 in instead. what a mistake! I had less power and worse fuel economy.
Yes I think /6 is the best engine for me, it's to simple to quit!!!

I'm currently doing a motor job on my 78 1/2 ton. Burned #6 piston (didn't know it at the time-thought it had burned a valve, and just had a miss. I was 150 miles from home. The top two lands were burned through, #2 ring was welded to the piston in pieces, and she made it all the way home (I babied it and stayed off the interstate) w/o so much as scoring the cylinder. Unbelievable, but to be honest, I was expecting more than 149K out of her given the maintenance she's had over the past 29 yrs. Still very grateful that my block wasn't damaged and that she'll still be a numbers matching when I'm done. http://good-times.webshots.com/album/561514822LCxFEN

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Good gun control is hitting your target repeatedly

These stories are exactly why I bought my truck. I had a chance at an 85 D150 with a 360 4 spd, but with everything I heard about the slant from my grandfather, my dad and a retired MOPAR wrench, I had to go with the six.