Gas gussler Van update

[RAT ROD AL]

First off thanks for all the input. Since the last post when It was getting around 8.8 mpg I put in some new plugs, wires ,cap, set the valve lash and timing and changed the points to the Pertronix ignition kit. Last tank of gas it was up to 11.75 .So with the 2.93 gears figured in and oversized tires it's up to around 14mpg. I've picked up a clifford intake ( it's set up for a 2 barrel) and a set of headers for it , in the process of gathering gaskets ect. and snapped off

a couple intake studs, so I figure it's a good time to just send a spare head to the machine shop have it freshened up and do some milling. Looks like 80 thou off is the # to keep it off the premium gas but up the power a little (??). And then a cam, has anyone used one of the comp cams with the .425 or the .435 lifts (any info or recommendation on streetable cams)

 

[Killer6]

First off thanks for all the input. Since the last post when It was getting around 8.8 mpg I put in some new plugs, wires ,cap, set the valve lash and timing and changed the points to the Pertronix ignition kit. Last tank of gas it was up to 11.75 .So with the 2.93 gears figured in and oversized tires it's up to around 14mpg. I've picked up a clifford intake ( it's set up for a 2 barrel) and a set of headers for it , in the process of gathering gaskets ect. and snapped offView attachment 1715149773 a couple intake studs, so I figure it's a good time to just send a spare head to the machine shop have it freshened up and do some milling. Looks like 80 thou off is the # to keep it off the premium gas but up the power a little (??). And then a cam, has anyone used one of the comp cams with the .425 or the .435 lifts (any info or recommendation on streetable cams)

Awesome, sounds like progress! I hate to have to, because Comp is a great company in general, but as of now unless there is an update to the contrary stay away from
their Slanty cams. The hardening on the pump/dizzy drive gear was too hard and tore-up a bunch of Guys' pump gears. Oregon Cam Grinders has kind of catered to the
Slanty crowd, so I'd give them a call with Your specifics & intentions, they'll hook You up. Doug Dutra committed a lot of time into developing some Slanty specific grinds
and worked with Oregon for them, they can set You up with the right one.

 

[slantsixdan]

Good progress!

An offy intake is a considerably better idea (keeps intake heat, which is an extremely good idea for mileage and driveability—yes, even if you live someplace warm).

Comp's Slant-6 cams are junk. Not only bad blanks that shred oil pump drive gears (kerFLUSH goes the motor) but also inferior Chevy lobes that throw away the benefit of the larger-diameter Mopar lifters. Get a reground cam № 2106R from Oregon Cam. That's Doug Dutra's RV10RDP cam, torque monster with very good economy and driveability, and without making new problems.

Headers are several different kinds of non-optimal/pain in the nuts on a Slant-6 especially if you're trying for good mileage and driveability; for a street driver you're far ahead with Dutra Duals instead. Rest of the exhaust system, read this post except use this muffler (Hemi Ram item, terrific flow without drone/buzz to drive you nuts on the highway).

It is very much worth your while to get the good gaskets for the manifolds-to-head and intake-to-exhaust junctions.

Pertronix is better than points, for sure, but HEI upgrade is much better still. If nothing else, make sure your vacuum and centrifugal advance mechanisms are both working in your distributor.

Don't just guess at how much to mill off the head—Slant heads vary enough that it's too easy to eff it up and do less or more than optimal. if you're going to mill at all, find out your combustion chamber volume, decide what head gasket you'll use, and calculate how much to mill. Be aware that if you put a nice, fresh head on a well-used block, you'll be back in it to do the bottom end sooner than later (increased suction/pressure from the good-sealing head finishes off marginal rings).