65 vs 74 a body with /6

[mightyss]

so, im in the market for an a body. i have found some early 63-65 valiants, all with /6. i have also found a few 2 dr darts 73-75, one in particular with a built /6,4bl,shaved head,headers,etc. my quandry is, i just cant get into last gen darts, or any darts for that matter(the built slanty is very tempting and pricey to duplicate). i currently have a 7 1/4 sure grip axle and a spare sure-grip unit to throw into something. im not into big horsepower, but would like to be able to burn a little rubber when it suits me. i do know the last gen a bodies were quite a bit heavier than gen 2 valiants (ive had gen 1 as you can see in my avitar)....decisions decisions....

 

[66fs]

I love 64-65 Valiants. They have the advantage of using the same K-Frame for small block and the slant 6. You can soup up a /6 pretty cheap without a lot of aftermarket pieces. Start with the best body you can get.

 

[RustyRatRod]

"Burning rubber" with most any 7.25 rear might result in bad things. The sure grips are somewhat stronger, but in the end, you have an axle shaft that's a good bit smaller than one inch, so there's that. I broke all the teeth off in the spider gears in Vixen just about this time last year. Know how I did it? I walked through some grass that was wet and my foot slipped off the clutch starting off from a stop. That's it. Of course, the rear end has a lot of slop in it, but that just tells you how small that rear end is. There's no way I would try that now with bigger tires on the rear. All that said, go for it. lol

 

[Slugfarm]

I wouldn't take anything over my 65 slant/6 Valiant, though I just destroyed the 3-speed. But that's just a good excuse for a T5, and I got a great deal on a 8.75 sure grip out of a 71 340 Demon so that's gonna replace the 7.25 pegleg before I inevitably break that too.

These Gen 2 Valiants are a hoot to drive with a small lightly modded slant -great balance, great visibility, cuter than bug knees.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I wouldn't take anything over my 65 slant/6 Valiant, though I just destroyed the 3-speed. But that's just a good excuse for a T5, and I got a great deal on a 8.75 sure grip out of a 71 340 Demon so that's gonna replace the 7.25 pegleg before I inevitably break that too.

These Gen 2 Valiants are a hoot to drive with a small lightly modded slant -great balance, great visibility, cuter than bug knees.

Although a world class T5 is pretty strong, don't think it's indestructible behind a slant 6. It's not. T5s are sensitive to clutch drops and speed shifts so you still need to be careful.

 

[66Signeto]

I chirped the tires in my 66 ONCE on a wide open 1-2 shift and decided that was enough tempting fate on the 7 1/4. The slant runs just fine with a properly working 1920 economaster and a #58 main jet.

 

[Rug_Trucker]

Open 3:23 7.25 almost gettin air under the front tire.

 

[barbee6043]

I would choose the body style that YOU love.,,, and go from there!

 

[TF360]

Here are some advantages with 73-75 cars. Electronic Ignition, revised front suspension with larger spindles, front disc brakes with larger bolt pattern for better wheel and tire fitment. Full seat belts, and side safety beams in the doors. They were designed to use unleaded fuel too! K-frame mounting tabs are better. You can find a Slant (I have one with all this from the factory.)