Through a buddy on RamChargercentral.com, via a person on Pirate4x4.com, I recieved a complete, carb-to-pan-to-bellhousing Salnt 6. It supposedly has 30,000 miles on it, was in a truck, and was pulled in favor of a V8.

It looks pretty good on the outside , comes complete with a Super Six setup and clutch, and turns over readily.

I was trying to ID this engine. I think I have it narrowed to a 77-80 version using the handy SS.org slant ID guide (http://www.slantsix.org/articles/parts-matrix/jpg.htm). Only question is: cast or forged crank. The block ID numbers go 030-12, 0457, with the suffix AAWJ.

It has no spark plug tubes. I'd prefer a solid lifter, forged crank, but we'll see when we open it up.

Any feedback on whether this is a worthy start on a race engine?

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It's a Slant thing. Even I don't understand.

1974 Duster, EFI /6 soon to be turbo...

Get that Monkay! Get that nasty thing!!

Check the machined pad right below the #1 spark plug. If there is an E after the 225 then it has a cast crank.

Upon closer examination, I have a 77-78 AAWJ block, solid lifters, cast crank. The head is casting # 3698447 which is the revised combustion chamber design with the small spark plugs.

So, is this a suitable core for a race engine, or should I look for a forged crank?

Should I put the head on an older, forged block, or should (can?) I install a forged crank/rods in this block?

Or is the cast crank fine for HD use?

_________________
It's a Slant thing. Even I don't understand.

1974 Duster, EFI /6 soon to be turbo...

Get that Monkay! Get that nasty thing!!

If you are going to build a Slant, I would find a forged crank engine.
In your case, where you have a nice low miles cast crank engine, use it.

Mike Jeffrey ran the first 10 second 1/4 mile pass for a SL6 "doorslammer" with a cast crank engine.

As for awapping-a forged crank into a cast crank engine, that does not work, the bearing sizes are different (smaller width) in a cast crank engine.
DD