Ok so im new to this site, and i havent had my slant 6 for very long ( about 2 months). I have an 82 Ram 150 with a 225 single barrel carb. I was wondering since mine is rated at 90HP, how the older slant 6's had up to 145HP. If it was just the fact they had different carbs or if they might of had a difference in the head. Any answers would be apreciated. Im just looking for a little more power or torque since it kinda lugs... also what would be the cheapest way to get a little more power?

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Old truck: 82 D150 225, 2bbl, dutra duals, 2.5" straight pipe to dual 2.5" tail pipes. Mud tires, 4spd, old forest service truck.
Current truck: 98.5 Ram 2500 ccsb, sport, 24v cummins, 5spd, 4.5" lift, 35's, 5" straight pipe.

Hello and welcome! The older slant sixes actually didn't have more power. What happened is in 1971 or 72 (I forget exactly which one) the method in which engines were rated was changed. The exact same motor that was rated at 145 HP was rated at 90 HP one year later.

The cheapest ways to get more horsepower and torque will depend on what equipment your vehicle has. Specifically, if the vehicle has a computer controlled carburetor or ignition system. If you do have a computer controlled carburetor and/or ignition system, improving performance will require removing the computer and replacing either the carb or distributor or both, and possibly installing a new ignition system. Even if you end up having to replace the carb, distributor, and ignition system, this can all be done relatively cheaply (under $300 if you shop around).

However, you truck/van may not have any computer controlled components. If this is the case, then your best path to increasing power and performance is as follows:

(1) complete tune-up- cap rotors, plugs, fuel filter, air filter, oil, oil filter
(2) check the condition of all your vacuum hoses and vacuum operated devices (especially the choke pulloff and distributor vacuum advance pod). Make sure all your hoses are in good shape and not cracked, and make sure all hoses are hooked up to the right places. Bypass the OSAC valve and hook the distributor vacuum advance hose directly to the ported vacuum source on the carburetor
(3) give the carburetor a thorough rebuild. Clean it, blow out all the passages, set everything correctly. Also, check for carb throttle shaft wear. If the throttle shaft is worn, get it rebushed or replace the carb.
(4) check for timing chain stretch
(5) verify that your base timing is correct. Also, verify that your timing mark hasn't slipped. The vibration dampened is actually two pieces of metal with a rubber ring sandwiched in between. Over time, the outer metal ring can slip. Since the timing mark is on this outer ring, your timing mark will no longer be correct.
(6) disassemble the distributor and clean and lubricate the weights and springs
(7) you can probably get away with advancing the base timing 5-10 degrees

Once you get beyond these items, you start getting into modifications that require at least several hundred dollars and more time. I recommend you try getting what you have working as good as possible first. you might be surprised at how well the motor runs in stock form.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

wow thanks. I didnt know that about the ratings. I do have a vacuum problem that i finally figured how to fix about an hour ago looking at a vaccum diagram and some other things. idk how but someone obviously didnt know what the hell they were doing because all the hoses are wrong and a few look like they were cut with snips. I plan on fixing it tomorrow but i need to get some more hose for a few connections. I have the OSAC but i need to go though DEQ first by the end of the year. would disconecting the vaccum hoses from the OSAC cause me to not pass? I planned on doing a full tune up in the spring when its nicer.

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Old truck: 82 D150 225, 2bbl, dutra duals, 2.5" straight pipe to dual 2.5" tail pipes. Mud tires, 4spd, old forest service truck.
Current truck: 98.5 Ram 2500 ccsb, sport, 24v cummins, 5spd, 4.5" lift, 35's, 5" straight pipe.

Hi 82ram, welcome to the forum.

If you follow this link you will find the slant six history with many comments and pics.

In each section in this forum there is a FAQ, in the engine FAQ you will, among other links, find an Engine Build Matrix that can give a lot of info. if you look for a specific subject, you should also learn to use the very powerful search function, there are more than 100.000 posts covering more than 12.000 topics in the engine section alone! All text in red are clickable links. Enjoy!

Olaf.

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Aspenized

Unless you have a very persnickety visual inspection, bypassing the osac won't make you fail.

I'm curious, is it an 82 ram truck or ram van?

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

thank you olaf!

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Old truck: 82 D150 225, 2bbl, dutra duals, 2.5" straight pipe to dual 2.5" tail pipes. Mud tires, 4spd, old forest service truck.
Current truck: 98.5 Ram 2500 ccsb, sport, 24v cummins, 5spd, 4.5" lift, 35's, 5" straight pipe.

Its a truck. Regular cab long bed. 2wd. Used to be an Oregon Goverment truck. Bought it from a guy in Washington who works with one of my dads friends.

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Old truck: 82 D150 225, 2bbl, dutra duals, 2.5" straight pipe to dual 2.5" tail pipes. Mud tires, 4spd, old forest service truck.
Current truck: 98.5 Ram 2500 ccsb, sport, 24v cummins, 5spd, 4.5" lift, 35's, 5" straight pipe.

Ah, I see you are in Gresham. There is a strong Oregon contingent on this site. You are in good company down there. There are lots of guys close to you who will be able to help you in person.

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

You are up in the Portland/Multnomah hinterlands...

Not sure if DEQ will be able to visually inspect the rig, but you are subject to an inspection...I don't think DEQ will check the OSAC on your truck...

If you want to pass (SHHHHHH!!!!)you can always jet your carb up a few numbers and fill up on E85 before the test....



-D.Idiot

oh also a quick question. what does miser mean? like d150 miser. is it different from the base model?

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Old truck: 82 D150 225, 2bbl, dutra duals, 2.5" straight pipe to dual 2.5" tail pipes. Mud tires, 4spd, old forest service truck.
Current truck: 98.5 Ram 2500 ccsb, sport, 24v cummins, 5spd, 4.5" lift, 35's, 5" straight pipe.

The "Miser" was an options package, or, rather, a lack of options package. See HERE or HERE

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Casually looking for a Clifford hyperpak intake for cheap.

hey, look what I just acquired...



81, 4x4, slant six, 4 speed... Came from the Portland area, but I live WAAAYYYY over on the dry side, not on the rainy side.

Nice truck i like it!

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Old truck: 82 D150 225, 2bbl, dutra duals, 2.5" straight pipe to dual 2.5" tail pipes. Mud tires, 4spd, old forest service truck.
Current truck: 98.5 Ram 2500 ccsb, sport, 24v cummins, 5spd, 4.5" lift, 35's, 5" straight pipe.

Yes siree Bob!

The E85 trick works very well....

~RDE~

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1984 D100 Shorty Custom
Certified Auto Appraiser - RevItUp Classic Appraisals
President - Cherry City Bombers CC
Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

would converting it to run on E85 make it run any better or produce more power?

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Old truck: 82 D150 225, 2bbl, dutra duals, 2.5" straight pipe to dual 2.5" tail pipes. Mud tires, 4spd, old forest service truck.
Current truck: 98.5 Ram 2500 ccsb, sport, 24v cummins, 5spd, 4.5" lift, 35's, 5" straight pipe.