First, I'd like to say thanks to the developers of this forum. I don't know how I would figure all of this out on my own.

Second, I thought that I would share why I like Slant 6s. When I was a teenager, my family owned a Yellow Cab Company and I worked there in the summers on the cabs - mostly maintenance and some repair. We had several 1977 Plymouth Fury Taxicab Specials that were great cabs. I mostly just did maintenance on the slant sixes in these cabs because they rarely had mechanical issues. We would run these cabs up to around 350K miles before we would retire them and sell them for $200 or so. They would generally still run and were mechanically OK, but we retired them because the bodies and seats and things were so worn out by that point.

I bought my 1970 D100 last year mainly because I wanted a cool old truck and because it had a Slant 6 in it. It still ran after all these years without a rebuild. Amazing. I like working on the slant six and look forward to getting it running soon. Another reason is that working on the old slant six reminds me of my father and I know he would really like it if he were still around.

So, why does everyone else like Slant Sixes??

You nailed it- durability, ease of maintenance, cheapness of maintenance, plus they are just cool.

I just like Old Cars, Motorcycles & Scooters and wanted something different, the Slant 6 fit the bill! (the whole Mopar, torsion bar suspension weirdness is growing on me)

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1964 Dart GT

I've been driving slants since I could reach the pedals, but it's more than just nostalgia with me, this little engine has an unusual mix even in stock form of power/economy/durability/longevity for it's class & as mentioned easy to repair and maintain. Usually with most engines you pick two.

Let's look at a few examples for comparison:

Fords 144/170 engine's in the Falcon. Fuel efficient and last long, but not much in the neighborhood for power.

GM's 230 used in Nova II's, again good on the longevity, but zero power and drinks like a big block.

Of course any older RWD inline is easy to repair.

And look at the slant's versatility! Small car, large car, pickup, forklift, generator, field pump, dump trucks, water trucks, and even RVs! A tough, time-proven engine.

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My first build was a babbitt 216. I started on inline sixes, and've loved'em since. Used to love the friendly animosity between the six and the flattie eight bunches. Had a 235 under my belt when the slant showed up on the scene in late '59.

Took to it immediately, but had to wait for some to show up at the wrecking yards before I could afford to grab one. Had to settle for watching others, like Dode & Martin, Shreve & his buddies, Smith & Swaja, etc, get to play with'em first.

My own first was a scrapped '60 wagon I got after Viet Nam, but I'd only had it a couple years when I had to sell it to get married the first time (smog trap of the era, just weeks before my wedding, full rebuild or scrap it by the laws then, couldn't afford to do both).

Finally got another one (but a four door sedan) early in that marriage, and've had only a couple odd Bugs other than slants since. I'm on my third Toad wagon presently, have a slanted postwar dragster, and a slanted street bucket project as well.

But I can quit any time, any time at all ...... seriously.

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Sex, drags, and rock & roll.
Dick, 225% crazy.
Hobby (cars, that is) Photos link

old6rodder:
I checked out your pictures - cool stuff.

I wished I lived in So Cal so I could see your cars in person. I was in San Clemente last year surfing and really liked the old car scene there.

Craig

Hell, I wish more car folks lived out here again as well. I even have a looooong list of folks out here I'd gladly trade off.

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Sex, drags, and rock & roll.
Dick, 225% crazy.
Hobby (cars, that is) Photos link

Some days I have to ask myself that same question, have to sit and weigh the pros and cons lol!

While I enjoy the fact that it is different in todays standards, especially when all your freinds are into v8s and rice burners. I love that it is classic, solid, american made steel and iron. I love the simplicity, ease, and low maintnance it is...

On the other hand, it is by far one of the most picky cars Ive owned! Bad enough it is under powered due to a lack of technology and a serious lack of compression, but if your timing, valves, and carbs not adjusted perfectly it will cause all he** to break loose!

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"if it aint broke, fix it till it is"
78 Plymouth Volare Super Six wagon
89 Volkswagen Golf GTI 16v
92 Chevrolet K1500 5.7
98 Ford Escort ZX2 zetech