I just picked up a 73 duster /6 and I'd like to keep the six and mod it out. I've heard about intakes, headers/exhaust, cams, mill head, ignition but would really like to know what my best mods would be and where I can find the parts I'll need and or info on how to do the work myself.

Thanks,
Don

where you can find parts?
4bbl intake > j.c withney/ cliffordperformance

headers > cliffordperformance/ summitracing

cams > cliffordperformance/ erson cams / compcams/ schniedercams/ engle cams

ignition> I would go with electr. dist with msd

engine parts > p.a.w performance parts

etc etc

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http://www.cardomain.com/id/lncognito

Thanks a bunch, that will definitely get me started. Any other input or suggestions are more than appreciated.

It would be better if you could define "best mods". Drag car? Performance wanted? Fuel mileage an issue? What converter, rear gear... Tell us everything you can think ot about your goals and budget.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Here's headers, intake, and carb in one auction.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayI ... 92781&rd=1

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"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account."

Budget is not really an issue on this. This will be only used on the street for cruising but I'd like to get as much as I can out of it as I'd like to show it. Suspension, brakes, and rear end will also be changing, just have not decided what is best for them either. I want to learn as much as I can about the six and what all I can do to it as I'm going to get a 64 dart pretty soon. If this /6 gomes out well it will get swapped into the 64 and my 440 will end up in the duster ultimately.

Lets give that 440 a run for it!
http://www.slantsix.org/galleries/clayc ... engine.jpg

Shoot, if I'm happy with this /6 I'll end up with a duster and a dart /6 and dump the 440 to someone else. Only reason for using the 440 at all is that I already have it and did not pay for it...lol...I'd just assume use the surprise factor of a 6 any day. This will be a pump gas street driven cruiser, should I deck the block or just mill the head?

BTW, I think I already have about every mild to wild slant six pic on my computer and must say not much out there looks cooler under the hood.

you can mill both the block and the head, depending on how nuts you want to go with compression. .090 off of the head puts you over 9 to 1 I believe.......someone else probably has the correct breakdown. depends on chamber volume too.

I took .090 off my head and just skimmed the block, since I am going another .030 over again I will probably take the block down a bit too.

If you are rebuilding the whole engine, you might as well get the block done, and use a standard head to keep compression good for pump gas. You will have to do a complete engine tear down to get the block done, so you wouldn't want to do it unless a re-ring was necessary. Getting a head shaved is much easier.

Remember that the felpro head gaskets which are commonly available are much thicker than the stock head gasket,(which are getting hard to find) so half the milling could be lost to the new gasket.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

half the milling lost? is that serious or just a comment?

I knew the replacements were thicker, but I haven't heard the specs yet. anyone have some? this will let me know how much to take the block too.......

This engine has been sitting for several years and I really would just assume do it right the first time. I will most likely just do a complete overhaul so while I'm doing it I really want to know what else I should do while I'm at it...i.e. Bore/oversize, deck block, mill head, which valves/springs, cam, porting instructions so I can do that portion, headers/dutra duals, timing chain, tranny upgrades, rear end, and anything else you guys can think of. Just keep in mind this will be a street cruiser and will keep the factory A/C for these hot days in Texas.

I really appreciate all the help and I'll post pics as soon as I can of my project where it stands along with followups of my progress.

O.K. , half is surely an overstatement, but if you check out the numbers, it's enough that you should be considering it.

I don't know the numbers, I won't guess, Somebody jump in and enlighten us please.

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1980 Aspen 225 super six

I have personally measured compressed thicknesses on the standard FelPro head gaskets. They are 0.033-0.037" compressed. Stockers are supposed to be 0.020" compressed, and I believe that based on the stock uncompressed one I own. So, it makes a difference, but not a huge one.

I don't know about other brands of gaskets as i always seem to get the FelPro ones anyway.

Lou

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