It's no wonder the Slant 6 is so great!
I built a 170 in the late 70's when low octane gas sidelined the 273. What a sweet motor. Milled the head .060, added a MP cam and 340 valve springs, double roller timing set, electronic distributor and box, factory 2 barrel carb and intake, and hooked the exhaust to 1 side of the dual exhaust. It probably doubled the power and would really wind up, best head on the smallest engine always works. It would also get 30 mpg cruising on the highway in a 64 Barracuda with a 4 speed. Basically gave that sweet engine away when a lower compression 273 went back in.
Also built a 170 Ford for an early Falcon. That took a bit more parts and money. 200 head, 300 single barrel carb, and headers. Turned out very well also, but that integral intake was a pain to deal with.