. For what you are wanting to do, Any 225 block, pistons, and rods would be essentially the same. Also the change from forged to cast crank in 1976 (the crank and block changed). 1980 and 1981 engines you have were hydraulic lifter engines.
Cast crank engines have narrower rod journals don't they? I was wanting to pull the rods out of my '72 198 to use that engine for the lighter crank, and if I remember right lighter block.
I am eyeing my neighbor's '80 or '81 van. A friend used to own that van and I knew that van when it was bought used with 3-9000 original miles on it. It definately had solid lifters when I pulled the head off. I replaced it with ahead from his old '77 that I had a local machine shop do the valves and slice .060 off the bottom. I did what I call an "RV Port, and Polish" on it. Dropped the 77 Super 6 intake on it with a BBD that I rebuilt. It worked good with the 833OD and 3:55 rear.
Did any of the slant heads have hardened seats? I thought they were flame induction hardened.
