1966 Plymouth Valiant Wagon......Scary Canary

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I almost thought you got rid of the wagon. Nice to see its doing even better!:cheers: any pics of the awesome exits here one? lol.
 
Been gone from here for far too long....blew up the 318 last july, fixed it and now we are here as of this past sunday....specifics and pics to follow
 

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the carnage last july. Not sure what went wrong....too much 7000+ rpm with stock cast pistons maybe? amazingly it still ran but made all kinds of noise.
 

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The solution was to start finding a replacement runner and get it back on the road. I stumbled across a mess of 273 parts for cheap as well as a mostly complete 318. I sold off some of the goodies that came with the 273, pulled the rods/pistons out of the 318, ordered a $10 set of rings, used the best USED rod bearings I could find and stuffed it in the .060 decked block I was already using. I also used the 72 318 heads after unsticking some valves and new stem seals, tossed them on using whatever gaskets I had, and picked up a performer intake for $35 with a broken choke riser (whats a choke for anyway?).

I then sold the 318 as a 'needs rebuild' kit with an extra set of rods and other odds and ends....this covered the cost of the 'rebuild', and the 273 goodies (commando motor in boxes) and the cost of the 318 when I bought it. I made out like a bandit for sure but I only sold the 318 for $75...Now Im in the midst of building said 273...high compression and 8000rpm style:blob:
 

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And Im back here again....no actual repairs, just stepping up my game a bit. Hogging out the bowls of the #302 heads and cleaning up the damage the best I can, adding an Performer RPM intake and a worked over 3310 Holley.
 

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Just a little update. 750 Holley, performer RPM, Ported #302's, and started on headers this evening. HOA noise complaints about this car. doing 2.25" mandrel bent duals, an x-pipe, and Jones brand Magnaflow knock offs with resonated tips.
 

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Another header update... passenger side done, cross member notched, start on the drivers side tomorrow night.
 

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The passenger side is a generic 67-up passenger car one that I moved a tube and dinged a couple others to make fit. Works with and without the 90* adapter using an stp S16. The drivers side is a 90's-00's ram/dakota generic/noname header. I began the process this evening and got 3 of 4 tubes around the steering box and shaft.
 

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I also notched the crossmember last night....not that its of any use :wack:
 
A little more done today, just need to hang the mufflers so I can make the tail pipes tomorrow.
 

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I have a trans crossmember notched for the header too but what a waste of $....didn't even need it with my Hookers......
 
I saw you doing burnouts last summer at Columbia River Mopar show. Sweet wagon you got for sure.
 
So little update....I wound up taking the shifter class bracket at Woodburn this past year in my daily. This was simply because the 318 in the Valiant came down with a rear main seal hemorrhage (couple quarts in 10-miles) and a low oil pressure issue. Im tired of it, its been one thing after another. I finally got it running right and making some incredible power for what it is (handful at a 2nd gear/40mph roll) only to have it have yet another issue. Its coming out and getting stuffed in the corner and will most likely find its way into a future project.

So, the original 273 is going back in and Im hoping this will be my new daily come spring. Im also 'restoring' engine bay. Fresh paint, new hardware, clean up the wiring a bit, add a dual reservoir master cylinder/prop valve, etc. Also working my way back and addressing the rust, interior leaks, and wiring throughout the car.

ENGINE AS FOLLOWS

Standard bore block
Steel crank turned .010/.010
Stock early rods
Original set of commando 10.5:1 pop-ups
2658920 heads with some light bowl work and casting clean up
Marine 273/318 intake (very close to the commando intake)
575cfm Holley (440 truck with some mods)
Going back to stock exhaust manifolds but keeping the 2.25 duals
Solid cam (listing specs below)
Cloyes double roller
Existing HEI ignition
In the midst of restoring the commando valve covers and air cleaner

I picked this cam to take advantage of the solid valvetrain I have and with the thought of a smoother idle and good mid-range power. Anyone run this cam before?

http://www.crower.com/mopar-273-360-la-pro-street-solid-cam-278-fdp.html
 
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