Question... 1966 Plymouth Valiant Wagon

Hey, folks, just bought a 1966 Plymouth Valiant Wagon, V200 with the 225 Slant Six and automatic trans. What kind of highway speeds can I get out of this car?? The six is not running and I wanted to know if I should try an fix it or update to a later engine trans combo. I travel a lot and would like to use it for a road car..

Thanks, Stan

 

I think you should at least be able to do 120 with that setup........................



















downhill, that is.


LOL.
Good wagon you got there.
Seriously, I wouldn't expect too muchspeed out of it - that wasn't its purpose back in '66. The slant sixes are known for reliability, once they are running good. On the other hand, it should be fairly easy to drop in a rebuilt 360 V8 and torqueflite, and switch over to front disc brakes. Parts from the Volares / Aspens and Chrysler Cordobas bolt right up from what I've heard.

 

You could probably get that slant 6 running because I don't think you can kill them can you?Wasn't much power but had one in a big lull fork lift and when it quit smoking it was out of oil... It was a 1968 lift and we used it dailey until 1995 like that and what retired it was the rest of the fork lift fell apart around that engine and I know for sure that motor smoked (not a little bit either) for 4 years but wouldn't die!

SORRY FOR GETTING OFF SUBJECT

 

Actually, the slant sixes can certainly be built for more performance. I think theres a club for slant six owners that you should find. I do remember a guy back in the 80's who raced a 68 slant six Dart at the road course at Summit Point Raceway. The car was actually pretty competitive as I recall, and it was his daily driver as well.
Heres a link to a similar question and responses on a Mopar A body forum. http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=139184

 

I have access to a late model 3.3 V6 and tranny, but if I can get 70 mph on the interstate and decent gas mileage out of the Slant then I would like to keep it............ not opposed to takin out the Automatic and replacing it with a later 5 speed or OD trans, just not sure what will fit.

:confused:

 

Ummmm....PICS????

Dare to be different, there is a lot you can do with a slant 6......

http://www.allpar.com/slant6.html




http://jalopnik.com/#!5355975/1966-plymouth-barracuda

http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2009/01/09/slanted-opinion/





http://www.sixbangerparts.com/itemdetailspage/4970

http://www.valiant.org/sixup.html

http://www.google.ca/search?q=high ...1&hl=en&biw=1003&bih=562&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=iw

 

Keep in mind that the speed limit in most states was 70mph when your Valiant was new, so you should have no trouble with 70. (90 something is where the top speed would be of a stock 225 slant six). But, it won't get you up to speed very quickly. Bone stock, you would likely do 0-60 mph in about 15 seconds, and the quarter mile in about 22 seconds. You should get great mileage with a 225 slant six.

 

THEY DON'T CALL IT "THE LEANING TOWER OF POWER" FER NUTHIN' You can even bolt on ah turbo now As for the trans, you're either playin' with ah 727 or 904. Either one iz bullet proof too. If you want to get into 5-6 spd trans's you're lookin' at machining an adapter plate! In the '80s I bought ah '63 V200 FOE-DOE. PUT AIR SHOCKZ ON IT AND WOULD HAUL 750# 440's IN THE TRUNK ALL DAY LONG @70 MPH4 TRUNK BOLTZ AND THE DECK LID WOULD SLIDE INTO THE BACK, PUSH THE "D" BUTTON AND DOWN THE ROAD I'D GO Guyz in the boneyardz would look at me and scratch their headz. I never told 'um those air shockz had 90#s of air in 'um! The little Beast wouldn't even squat

 

Thanks for all the input, I am going to stick with the Slant Six. I had a friend years ago who bought a feather duster new, 225 with factory 4 speed, he put on a set of headers and left the rest stock....... thing would fly! This is my first later model Mopar (have had several flat sixes and a straight 8) so I am looking forward to this build........... Thanks again

PS Hers is a picture.......

PSS> My 1980 Malibu wagon has been sold.... Could not get a Alabama title coming from Georgia so I sold her for parts..... pitty too, she was a sweet ride.

 

FatnSoLo: Too bad it didn't work out to keep your Malibu - that thing looks familiar...

But you'll dig the Valiant with a warmed over slant six. Don't know about parts availability though... I love the 'leaning tower' motors for toys, but if I'm goin' cross country or daily driving, I'd have to have a heated up 360/727 and disc brakes. Just my two cents. Either way, you're gonna have fun with it. Enjoy!

 

those are bitchin cars Fat!!!

check out http://www.allpar.com/slant6.html

 

Thanks Guys, I am looking forward to the build!!!!

 

Treat those aluminum spark plug oil sealz with TLC Solo. THERE AIN'T NO MORE AH THEM. Worst case senerio, Put a later head on it! Mother used a newer design from somewhere in the '70s well into the '80s that didn't have those tubez and used a different (smaller) sprak plug. Squeez iz the same and they'll bolt rite on BTW, Add .002 to the intakes and exhausts from what the book tellz you and you can adjust thoze rockerz when their cold, Old guy, Old trickz an noooo oil mess You'll also find that it workz much better if you mount both intake and exhaust manafolds while the head iz on the bench that it works out way better. Jes use your cherry Picker for the install or your "roidz" will grow

 

Definitely stick with the slant!! There is tons of power and economy to be squeezed out of those 225 cubes. Do yourself a favor and spend some time at http://www.slantsix.org/forum/index.php These people are smart and helpful when egged on with the right questions.

By the way, the "drool tube" spark plug inserts are the same as used on the 426 Hemi and the "O" rings are available over the counter. If you damage the tubes, give me a call, I have stacks. As any good slant six owner should. Upgrading to the "Peanut head" is a good choice for the hardened seats and better flow characteristics but usually limits you in cam choice if you happen to have one set up for hydraulic cam over the earlier mechanical.

We have three slant six '64 wagons in our posse and I think they're awesome. In case you didn't pick that up.

 

that explains why you walked tilted to one side