I'm sure someone with more experience will have a better idea, but... I've had my slant run pretty hot when the carb was set too lean but I don't remember the manifold getting white hot.
I have Holley 350s on both my valiants paired to second (or third) hand offy intakes. I have been happy with them. I bought both Holley's off the Holley website from their return/refurb section for a lot cheaper and have had no issues, just normal tuning stuff. My cars are just daily/back road...
Hey @nick360 and welcome. There are plenty of people here who are way more knowledgeable than me but these may be helpful...
valve cover interchange - Slant Six Forum
Hydraulic vs. Mechanical cam valve train differences - Slant Six Forum
I'm sure there are threads on here if you run a search...
I had a tick in my 74's slant that increased/decreased with rpm that I couldn't chase down for the life of me... It was driving me insane. It turned out to be the oil dipstick. My kid shut the hood on my dipstick, snapping it right on the "F" in "full" and never told me.... And put it back... So...
Is the coolant topped up and air burped out? There could be air trapped up near the sender. I believe the gauge would only peg if the lead was grounding out somewhere, but that would be an immediate jump.
*More knowledgeable people may have better answers...
@roadrunnerh This is a fantastic thread and has been very inspirational to read/see you bring it all together. Last Friday I picked up a mostly complete '68 383 from a gentleman who had it sitting in his garage for decades. I thought I may have bitten off more than I could chew but I'm feel'n...
@RustyRatRod thanks as always. I was wondering why the #s were backwards! I do remember reading somewhere to avoid the heads with the "dime" (maybe in the Dutra book) but I figured it was a cheap enough learning experience... Definitely not as nice as your closed chamber head but if it can keep...
I have to do work on my 75 Valiant cylinder head. It is a peanut head. I was going to buy another 225 for real cheap that also had a peanut head so I could do a dry run and get some practice in but didn't make it in time. So I hopped on FB and picked this one up for $40 to practice on. It came...
I may be wrong but Isn't it essentially the HEI build Dan posted on slantsix.org? I built one of these following his recipe... It's over here with a link to his original... Mine didn't cost that much!... I already had a non points distributor on the engine though... Maybe theirs is better...