Posted by Ken (129.37.50.64) on January 26, 2001 at 22:38:59:
In Reply to: stick to 6 Questions posted by JC on January 26, 2001 at 20:24:07:
Hello Jason and happy birthday even though its a few days past. Some info on the 6 engine. 1970 first year they were rated at 155 hp, 1971 reduced to 145 and kept getting lower as the years went by. I don't know how to ID excecpt to look for engine casting indicators that may look like the following D0-xxxx-A. D=DECADE OF THE 70s, 0=1970, xxxx=casting number, A (position)= production change indicator. I'm sure someone on the board can tell us better. Some changes made after 1970 were lower compression, cam timing, ignition etc. to meet the federal emmission laws. The best would be the 1970 engine to start with. If you don't have to have emmission test then engine can be equipped for performance. Clifford Performance could supply many items for this engine. For you I would bascally make sure the that rings,bearings, oil pump, timing gear etc are in good condition before adding performance parts. I suggest to start with dual exhust manifolds and exhust,then a dual carb intake. Get this runnung good, enjoy it for a while then consider a cam as the engine will have to come apart in the front as well as lifing of the valve cover, rocker arm assembly,push rods and lifters. Always use new lifters with a new cam and they may recomend stronger valve springs depending on the cam duration and lift. For this engine I would not try to go any higher than about 5000 rpm so a cam selection to work in this range along with a little higher compression by having the head milled. The 1970 is listed at 9:1 so 9.5-9.75 would be enough. If you get to do this much,attention would have to be paid to the rate of timing advance (in the distributor) due to the higher compression. By this time you will begin to know what hot rodding is all about like spending money you don't have,hours on end in the garage etc. This engine will get you started and one day you will want a V8 and who knows were you will go from there.
Ken