ive heard a few times that once a head is removed, it is warped, and that the block, and head surfaces MUST be milled down to make them level again. true or false? if it's not a must to do this, i'd like to take the head off, and really clean everything up there.

Not always true, I normally don´t think twice about slapping the head back on...
But it would be nice to measure if the surfaces are flat first.
Get a nice straightedge, and feeler gauges, should be good enough for most of us...

Wait, and the flaming begins....

What you heard is applicable to some aluminum heads, but your Slant-6's head is very sturdy cast iron. It will not warp just 'cause you remove it.

Just to safe, make sure you loosen the head bolts in the same sequence they were tightened. Don't just start zipping them off with an inpact gun. That will help avoid warpage

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There is no problem that cannot be solved by the proper application of thermo nuclear weapons

Don't use the head from an iron block on an aluminum slant six.But you can use the head from an aluminum block on an iron block slant six.
Kev









'

Please explain the difference.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

From the good 62 tsm, the 62 aluminum head is supposed to have the word special cast between the two lifting bracket pads on the left side of the head, it also differs from the iron style with smaller combustion chambers which provide a larger sealing area at the top of the block. Also machined notches are provided for increased pushrod clearance. The head bolts are 4 15/16" long which is supposed to be longer than the iron version.
You can use this on the iron block.

All this sounds good on paper- I have never seen the mysterious aluminum engine, can anyone verify??

I recently sold an aluminum block, and gasket sets. I have heard of the "special" head, but have never seen one. I really wonder, how many of the aluminum engines, really have the "special" head.
Doc has an aluminum engine in his Dart. If I am not mistaken, he has an ultra rare aluminum head on it.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 170 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170
64 Valiant 4dr 225

AWOL. it's not common for the head to warp, but it is common for the int/exh manifold combo to warp, usually it's the exh that's bad. Bolt them together with new bolts, then have it surfaced as a set.

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Slant Cecil