I currently own a 1969 Valiant Signet with a 225 slant in it. The car was originally my grandmom's(I guess the site's slogan on the home page doesn't apply to me). It was handed down to my brother who maintained it pretty well, then generously passed it on to me. It has 104,000 and is in very good running condition. It was garaged kept for most of it's life. The body has a few cancer tumors and the interior is a little beat it up, but not terrible.

I've begun working on it a little to ensure it runs well and stays in good shape. I'm currently replacing the manifold gasket. My brother attempted to replace this himself about 15 years ago and failed miserably at it, among other things. He's a great fighter pilot, but not the best mechanic------not saying that I am....While taking it apart, I realized that the manifold is cracked on the third runner looking from the front. Apparently, this is a common problem on the slant exhaust manifold. After trolling the web, I may have found a new MOPAR one for a good price. If not, my friend runs a shop so he said he'll get one for me.

While I was looking around for one, I read/saw a lot of things about the different carb, intake and exhaust setups people have done with slants. Some say that the 4-barrel configurations aren't as reliable as 2-barrels, that 2 1/2 inch exhaust isn't going to have a noticeable power increase over a 2 1/4 design, that true duals really benefit 4-barrels and forced induction, but the single and double carb setups don't see a big difference....

What setup do you feel will make a decent amount more power than stock, be reliable and not cost me a fortune. At the time I don't have a lot of money, so I'm replacing the exhaust manifold with a stock design, cleaning the intake and carb, and putting it back together. I'd just like to get some ideas and opinions so I can keep my eyes out for any good deals on the components. Thanks a lot for any feedback. Sorry for the long post.

Unless you're planning on doing some serious work (new cam, etc.), a 4-bbl might be a bit much for this engine. Probably the easiest (and cheapest) way to wake it up is with a "super six" setup. I have seen these setups on Ebay for under $300 - complete with air cleaner, carb, intake manifold, exhaust manifold (same as 1-bbl), and linkage. Just remember that you will need the "Super Six" kickdown linkage, too (if you have an automatic).

This will give your slant 2-bbl's worth of get-up-and-go. Later on, you could even drop a Weber 38/38 (DGES) on it for a little more power:
http://www.slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=40080

Welcome on the board. Tune-up parts and technique suggestions in this thread. The engine will need periodic valve adjustment. Carburetor operation and repair manuals and links to training movies and carb repair/modification threads are posted here for free download. There are all kinds of upgrades possible, but if you are on a tight budget, the best way forward is to make the stock setup work well before spending extra money on upgrades. The first and most cost-effective upgrade would be one or another variety of electronic ignition, anyhow.

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Thanks for the replies. Dan--double thanks to you for replying on both of my threads.

I do have an auto and read about the different length shift linkage, so I will definitely grab that as well if/when I upgrade the carb and breathing.

At this point I'm doing exactly what Dan said---replacing all bad seals, gaskets, filters.....with stock parts. Mainly, it is because I have no money at the time to invest in the good stuff, but it is also to preserve the "stock" aspect of the car. I know that the car's value is diminished when modding unless professionally done with high-end parts. If/When I do mod it, I do not plan to do too much-probably just the things you mentioned--no internal engine work or crazy body work. I'm sure I'll throw some classic style wheels and decent tires on there also. Either way, I will be sure to hold on to all of the original parts if anyone wanted it factory-spec again.

Thanks again for the replies. A lot of people on auto forums don't bother to respond to newbies like me. I appreciate it.

Glad to help, but I fear I may have overstated the case a little. You definitely want to use the best possible parts when doing repairs -- for example, you certainly want to buy the good manifold gaskets rather than the over-the-counter variety, because they will save you a great deal of time, aggravation, and money. And sensible upgrades like electronic ignition and so on (better brakes! better lights!), done neatly and carefully, do not detract from the value of the car at all; they enhance it. The kind of modification that bears careful thought before doing is the kind that cannot be undone readily (or at all).

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

Got ya. Any major work I do will be done under the supervision of certified mechanics. I can handle all of the exterior gaskets, fluids, alternator, radiator, tune-up, brakes etc...with little help, but major stuff I will leave for them. I also know someone who does autobody work, which this car definitely needs. He will lead on that stuff.

At the moment I just bought a FELPRO gasket from autozone. I know they are cheap, so I don't mind getting something else if you truely feel I should. I'll check the sites you linked for me. Thanks again, man. You've been a great help to me immediately---much appreciated.

Go -- right away, as soon as you have the (very little) money needed -- and get the three books described in this thread.
Avoid "remanufactured" parts like the plague; they're junk. More and more with any car, but especially with an oldie, you have to be very choosy these days buying parts. It's getting harder and harder to find good quality parts even from major brands.
You will almost certainly have to do the job twice (at least) if you go ahead with that gasket set. Excellent likelihood the intake-to-exhaust junction will leak, and the manifolds-to-head gasket in that set isn't too dependable, either. Strongly recommend you return it and get the good ones.

Glad to help!

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

What Dan said. THROW AWAY THE FELPRO Gasket!!! Spend the money (around $50 or so) and use the proper gasket from Remflex.

The URL is remflex.com

I never could get the stock gasket to seal worth a crap for any period of time. I installed a Remflex gasket and the problem of vacuum leaks, etc is gone. Well worth the money. When you get a Remflex in your hands you really notice the difference in construction when compared to stock gasket sets. The Remflex is made from a THICK, pliable, graphite based material that really does a good job of sealing that long six cylinder gasket surface. This could be the single most important upgrade you can do.

_________________
Slanted D150

I always had good luck with felpro but thats was on my small and big blocks I'll take yourguys word for it since this is my first leaning tower of power.

REmflex......and NO other. Those are the best.....all I run on my slanted drag car.....and my BB road runner.....lets not forget the Barracuda.
Hope the best for your 69......sounds like a great car!!
Andrew/Kidd

_________________
Wife's: 64 Valiant
My: 70 Road Runner, 67 Barracuda, AND the 62 Valiant drag car!!

What am I doing that's so wonderful a Felpro manifold gasket works fine for me?

_________________
Joshua

I agree with Josh, I have used them for years NO problems.

_________________
Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

Luck!? I wouldn't mention your success with FelPro lest you put a hex on future performance...

Presumably your sealing surfaces were in excellent shape?

_________________
Slanted D150

Using the Fel-Pro manifold gasket set is kind of like using a Fram oil filter. It's not definitely going to fail and cause you to cry, but the odds of it happening are a lot higher than if you'd used a better gasket (or oil filter).

"I've been using Fel-Pro gaskets (or Fram filters) for years without a problem" isn't really very strong praise. Test it by plugging other things in:

"I've been smoking cigarettes for years without a problem"
"I've been driving without a seatbelt for years without a problem"
"I've been using Chinese brake pads for years without a problem"

Just because you happen to get away with something doesn't necessarily mean it's a good idea if you have a better choice available.

(And there's no reason to prefer Remflex vs. the Australian gaskets or vice versa. They are equally good, and they are both far better than the parts store items of whatever brand.)

_________________
一期一会
Too many people who were born on third base actually believe they've hit a triple.

"I've been smoking cigarettes for years without a problem"
"I've been driving without a seatbelt for years without a problem"
"I've been using Chinese brake pads for years without a problem"

Hey now, I resemble those remarks...


,Cliff

_________________
'72 4 dr Dart
'63 4 dr Dart