273 or 225?
Thanks for all your suggestions! I think im starting to lean in the slant 6 direction, as I dont think an engine swap is within my ability as a mechanic just yet. Im sure I will have more opportunities in the future to fulfill my v8 crave.
I've had over 400 cars since I was 13 years old. Most all were V8s except a few Jeeps and Military trucks. I have to say with 100% certainty that this slant 6 Valiant I have now is BY FAR the most fun car I've ever had. It never fails to put a smile on my face. It'll never be a V8, but it's very peppy and snappy in the little light 64 Valiant. It's just a perfect combination.
In case you didn't know, the Valiant began its own separate make. It was its own platform for the 1960 year model. It wasn't a Plymouth. It wasn't a Dodge. It wasn't a Chrysler. It was VALIANT. Then in 61 it became part of the Plymouth lineup. Chrysler needed an engine to meet the requirements of lowered hoods and shorter front ends and R&D began on the "new" slant 6 in the late 50s for the 60 model year.
They moved the water pump off to the side of the engine, instead of right in front to shorten the engine and tilted it at a 30 degree angle over to the passenger's side. Both of these features allowed that engine to fit in smaller and lighter bodies and with lower hood lines than the competition. That meant they were a lot lighter than the competition.
In 1960 NASCAR created a "compact car class" and Valiants kicked their butts coming in the first seven places with the Hyper Pack 170 slant 6. Read about it.
Valiants kick BUTT
Some people say "oh but look what they were up against, wussie Falcons and Corvairs". Ford and Chevy could have done similar to their cars, but they didn't. Their cars were heavier and had less power, so the Valiants stomped um. They dominated so badly, NASCAR dropped the compact car series after that race.
That's just one of the many reasons the slant 6 has such a strong following. Their uncanny durability is another. They will run pretty much no matter what. There've been stories about people who threw a rod through the side of the block and still made it home. It's hard to discount that kinda stuff. lol
So if you really decide to keep the slant 6, I'm warnin you ahead of time, you just might get hooked like a bass. lol