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Slant Six possibilities?

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by jbrucru, Mar 5, 2012.

  1. Mar 5, 2012
    jbrucru

    jbrucru Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Glasgow, KY
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    Ok, here's a random question for everyone. I have a '61 Dodge Lancer rustbucket with a rebuilt Slant Six engine that has been in my family since it was purchased new. My grandfather owned a Dodge dealership in the 50's - 70's. I drove it in high school until the rear seal of the transmission started leaking and I was constantly filling it back up. We're at the point of finally getting rid of it, but as I currently am in the process/market for a new engine, I thought....hmm..wonder if a 170ci Slant Six would be a possibility. Anyone ever done a conversion to one of these? Too large for the engine bay of an early CJ? I know these engines will run forever....

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  2. Mar 5, 2012
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    That's a rustbucket?
     
  3. Mar 5, 2012
    Stout

    Stout Member

    Quakertown, PA
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    That would be an interesting conversion. You are right, the old Dodge Slant 6s never die and parts are still readily available for them. I would think that if people can squeeze a V8 into an old CJ5 then a Slant 6 would certainly fit. You'll have to make your own motor mounts, though.
     
  4. Mar 5, 2012
    jbrucru

    jbrucru Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Glasgow, KY
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    Well...what you can't see is the patchwork. In Jeep terms, it's not that bad though I suppose.... My grandfather repainted it in the 80's - pop riveted panels in everywhere. There are holes in the wheel wells right into the interior...you get a nice splash if you hit a puddle. Also the frame has severe rust damage.
     
  5. Mar 5, 2012
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Didn't they refer (green block) to these slant 6's? They would run forever with proper service.
     
  6. Mar 5, 2012
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Ah.

    Seems like you'd need a later (or postal) front clip as the engine length would be similar to a Jeep I-6. Interesting conversion, but can't imagine it working as well as a V6 in an ECJ.
     
  7. Mar 5, 2012
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I think this is another example of "Just cause you have an engine, doesn't make it a good idea" engine swaps.
    Yes, they have a reputation for durability, but it's just not gonna be a very good fit in an early CJ.
     
  8. Mar 5, 2012
    Alex V.

    Alex V. Member

    Campbellsville, KY
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    Before you rule it out, I'd take some measurements just to see what you come up with. While it's not as short as a 4 cyl. or V-6, the slant 6 is 62 CI smaller than the smallest Jeep I-6 which could translate into a bit less length - although, I'm only speaking theoretically, as I'm not familiar at all with the slant 6.

    Also, wouldn't you have quite a bit of leeway if you modified the tunnel ahead of the radiator? There's quite a bit of space in there.
     
  9. Mar 5, 2012
    jbrucru

    jbrucru Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Very true. I might as well check the measurements. It appears that I could keep the stock exhaust manifold, which would be a plus. Slant 6's are a cool setup. The fan shroud has already been removed on my CJ5, as there was a SBC 305 in there when I bought it. Outside of motor mounts, the other thing I'd be concerned about would be hooking up the T90 to it. I'm not aware of any Mopar - T90 adapter, or where to find a flywheel, as the Lancer has a push button automatic transmission. Might be more work than it's worth...
     
  10. Mar 5, 2012
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    People used to put Studebaker straight sixes into both the early cj5's and all versions of the flatfender jeeps. So why not one of these?
     
  11. Mar 5, 2012
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    Another think to consider-what's the HP/torque rating on this engine? I don't know, but I can't imagine it being a real powerhouse.
    You might be doing a lot of work for little gain.......
     
  12. Mar 5, 2012
    jbrucru

    jbrucru Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    At this point, I'm engineless. The slant six has more HP than a F134, but less than a dauntless. Im not making a crawler...just a weekend driver/toy. If I get a sbc 350, I still have to replace the input shaft and cluster gear on the t90, since the PO bubba rigged it. When I say bubba rigged, the guy hacked a section out of the transmission crossmember so that he could scoot it all they way up to the pedal mounts on the frame. Then he tapped new holes in the bell housing. It had a sbc 305, which I understand to mean that I can reuse the engine mounts, exhaust manifolds, Quadrajet, alternator, bell housing, clutch, etc. I'm leaning towards the 350, but since I have a free slant six, I thought it would be worth looking in to.
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2012
  13. Mar 5, 2012
    w3srl

    w3srl All-around swell dude Staff Member

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    You'd have to hack up a lot of stuff to get any inline six into an ECJ, that's why AMC lengthened the front end on the intermediates.

    True, the Studebaker 6 was a popular mod back in the day, but then there no V6's available at the time.

    Even if you could find (or make) an adapter to mate it up to the driveline, you will have a pile of money invested. A very interesting idea but I think you'd be way ahead to go with a V-6 conversion, or better yet, find a complete V-6 equipped Jeep to donate all the parts.
     
  14. Mar 5, 2012
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    IIRC the main reason the Studebaker was popular was the T-90. Studebaker used them in their cars, so the engines would go in without an adapter. I have seen these conversions in pictures, and I seem to recall they all had the firewall pushed back to make room for the engine.

    Any inline six is going to be a messy swap in an early CJ. The Buick V6 was chosen mostly because it fit so well into the Jeep's short engine compartment.
     
  15. Mar 5, 2012
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I would go 350, they are a dime a dozen and it is already set up, just fix the hack job.
    and the cost to do any work to a 350 is far less.

    the 170 is just a low deck 225 slant six, unfortunately it is not shorter in length.
    at 2k the industrial 225 slant has 65 hp... the industrial version is in a lot of combines and windrowers, like the hesston 6400
    at 2k rpm if i recall it had over 150 ft/lbs, the industrial long block has forged internals. with the right intake and exhaust can hit to 5k rpm.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 6, 2012
  16. Mar 6, 2012
    jbrucru

    jbrucru Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Thanks for all the replies and help! It was worth considering at least! Looks like the ol Lancer is going on Craigslist then, and I'll keep looking for a 350.
     
  17. Mar 6, 2012
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

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    Could always go with a 283. Or a 289
     
  18. Mar 6, 2012
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I think if I was in your boat, I'd look for a 4.3 Chevy V6. Lots of the 350 parts you have will interchange, it's a better fit in the CJ engine bay, and it'll be a little easier on your driveline while still having plenty of oomph to move a little CJ along.
     
  19. Mar 6, 2012
    jbrucru

    jbrucru Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    I actually looked into getting a 4.3 V6, but started to shy away from it simply because I didn't want to mess with different exhaust headers and moving the engine mounts. I suppose that could still be an option, since I have it down to the frame. I found a 4.3L fairly close out of an Astro van - TBI, for around 500 with the harness. I guess I could still consider it. That would let me put the firewall back to stock, since it was notched for the distributor on the 305.
     
  20. Mar 6, 2012
    Long&Low

    Long&Low Active Member

    Geauga County, OH
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    the 258 and 4.0 are long engines, narrowly shorter than a Ford 300 that won't fit in a CJ7 or YJ engine bay. I bet you could squeeze it in, it's only a tape measure away from knowing.....
     
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