I've killed it....

Eauledoit11

Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
20
Reaction score
4
I know how Charlie Brown felt when his Christmas tree fell over now...

So I blew the motor in my 77 aspen. What are some pros and cons to an engine swap? If I went with another period slant six would it be as simple as plug n play? Where does one even acquire such an item in good enough condition?

If the money is to be spent, would it be better spent in something more modern or upgraded?

I've never tackled a job this big before and I figured I'd ask the experts! :D

IMG_8966.JPG
 

Mr C

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
403
Reaction score
137
Cons to something different than a slant 6...you'll need motor mounts (schumacher makes this easy now) and the trans too.

It's just work. You can do it.
 

Master M

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2014
Messages
330
Reaction score
116
Look around and see if you can find a slant 6 for a more straightforward replacement. You will also be able to transfer any good parts from the old one. Is the blown motor beyond reasonable repair ?
 

old yellow 78

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2015
Messages
1,307
Reaction score
454
Location
near Allentown, PA
That's a nice looking sedan, with a very unusual color. I would look for a good Super Six if your engine is beyond repair. Much easier/cheaper to replace, and the /sixes are such great engines anyway. If the body is in good shape, it would be a great move to rebuild the new engine if needed before re-installing.
 

BudW

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
5,121
Reaction score
1,485
Location
Oklahoma City
You have me wondering what might be wrong with your original engine. In many cases, I might be more cost effective and faster to repair your existing engine.

If you are going to replace the engine, going back with a /6 (either 1-bbl or 2-bb (the 2-bbl being referred as a super six)) will be by far a lot easier than replacing with a V-8, for almost everything will need to be changed under hood.

If you are dead set for changing over to a V-8, it might be easier to obtain a donor car for all of the little things you will need for the changeover.

Items that are needed for a /6 to V-8 changeover (this is not a comprehensive list):
Engine
Transmission (if automatic)
If automatic transmission – the transmission cooler lines.
Kickdown linkage
IF manual transmission – the Bell housing.
K-frame (note: you can get engine mounts to retain the /6 K-frame, but cost for them might be about same as getting a small block K-frame).
Engine mounts
Throttle cable
All engine pulleys
All engine brackets
In most cases the radiator necks are in different locations between /6 and V-8 – but not in all situations. I would plan on replacing the radiator.
Engine wiring harness. It can be modified to fit if wanted.
If equipped with A/C – A/C lines/hoses and engine brackets/pulleys (compressor is the same).
If equipped with P/S, the P/S hoses, pump mounting brackets and pulley (pump is the same).
I don’t know what state you are in (you might want to add a signature page with details) so various emission components might also be a factor.


If converting to a Super Six, parts needed will be:
Intake manifold
Carburetor
Throttle cable
Kickdown linkage
Air cleaner
Fuel line (sometimes they are the same)

Hope this helps.
BudW
 

Joe12459

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2012
Messages
961
Reaction score
175
Location
Catskill Mountains, NY
Hmm, be careful who you ask about engine swaps, LOL! You can go from relatively inexpensive and easy to outrageously expensive and complicated really quickly. If you don't want to rebuild/replace the slant six, a small block upgrade is a cost effective and relatively easy upgrade in these cars. Like BudW said, it makes it a lot easier if you have a donor car. Of course, if you really want to do something different, you can squeeze a big block in there, or even a gen 3 Hemi!
 

Eauledoit11

Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
20
Reaction score
4
That's a nice looking sedan, with a very unusual color. I would look for a good Super Six if your engine is beyond repair. Much easier/cheaper to replace, and the /sixes are such great engines anyway. If the body is in good shape, it would be a great move to rebuild the new engine if needed before re-installing.
The body is in fair shape. My neighbor backed into the driver door last year and I haven't gotten to that (its just as well I'm not fond of the color anyhow) but as far as the damage, I'm really not sure. I know I threw a rod, and I'm pretty sure it bust out the side of the block. I cant really tell what's what cause everything is covered in oil.
 

Eauledoit11

Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
20
Reaction score
4
Hmm, be careful who you ask about engine swaps, LOL! You can go from relatively inexpensive and easy to outrageously expensive and complicated really quickly. If you don't want to rebuild/replace the slant six, a small block upgrade is a cost effective and relatively easy upgrade in these cars. Like BudW said, it makes it a lot easier if you have a donor car. Of course, if you really want to do something different, you can squeeze a big block in there, or even a gen 3 Hemi!
I know the Aspens that year had a V8 option. But if i could fix the six, I'd rather do that. I haven't done anything to it yet cause I wanted to know what kinds of things to look at while doing a project of this magnitude. Moneypits and rabbit holes to avoid etc.
 

Joe12459

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2012
Messages
961
Reaction score
175
Location
Catskill Mountains, NY
I know the Aspens that year had a V8 option. But if i could fix the six, I'd rather do that. I haven't done anything to it yet cause I wanted to know what kinds of things to look at while doing a project of this magnitude. Moneypits and rabbit holes to avoid etc.
The slant six is a great engine. If you're not looking for more power, I would rebuild what you have. It will be a lot more cost effective, and that engine is very reliable when set up properly.
 

slant6billy

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2011
Messages
2,971
Reaction score
694
In my awkward assbackwards opinion- Donor car is a must. My suggestion: Get an 83-88 Diplomat, Fury or 5th that has a V8. That will give you the trans, motor and radiator. Now, your slant's a non lean burn 6, so you can easily go with a mopar performance distributor and plug right into the 2 wire dizzy pickup. Drive shafe should be the same as long as it is a 904 trans (on your slant ) and 904 on the donor. Again, just my opinion. You have options
 

AJ/FormS

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
1,291
Reaction score
305
Location
On the Circle of the earth, Southern Man,Canada
Where you at?
I have a running, driving, 1980 Volare with a Hi-Comp, 77Aspen, SuperSix engine in it,with a bit of a cam. I'd let you have it cheap. The only good body parts left on it are the hood and the roof. The rest is pretty rotten.The 904 in it works real good too. But the rear gears are maybe 2.5s to 2.7s. I didn't build it to be fast, but to be fuel sipper, which it wasn't all that good at.:(
 

Eauledoit11

Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
20
Reaction score
4
The slant six is a great engine. If you're not looking for more power, I would rebuild what you have. It will be a lot more cost effective, and that engine is very reliable when set up properly.

so lets say the rod busted through the side of the block...is that repairable? Could i just bring it into any old head shop or what?
 

Eauledoit11

Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2012
Messages
20
Reaction score
4
Where you at?
I have a running, driving, 1980 Volare with a Hi-Comp, 77Aspen, SuperSix engine in it,with a bit of a cam. I'd let you have it cheap. The only good body parts left on it are the hood and the roof. The rest is pretty rotten.The 904 in it works real good too. But the rear gears are maybe 2.5s to 2.7s. I didn't build it to be fast, but to be fuel sipper, which it wasn't all that good at.:(
haha right? I'm intrigued....how much do you think it would cost to ship it from Canada to Texas? lol
 

80mirada

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2012
Messages
1,567
Reaction score
620
Location
Wisconsin, Fort Atkinson
If your block is broken it is done for, the cost to weld a block is very pain. That said throwing a rod through the block on a late slant six is very unlikely. Can the engine be barred over(turned over by hand or tool)?
 

BudW

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Mar 4, 2012
Messages
5,121
Reaction score
1,485
Location
Oklahoma City
Can you go over, in detail, what happened before it “quit”?
I haven't seen many /6 with tossed rods – but it can happen to anything.

If block is damaged, then it is time for engine.

If nothing has left sides (poked through) of engine, then there is a great chance you can repair existing.
Pictures would be a big help.


There is a car term: barring tools or barring the engine. I guess “barring” is derived from using a “bar” to turn engine over with, mainly term is used for setting valve timing or other operations.

You should be able to use the harmonic balancer bolt and turn engine clockwise . It can take a bit of effort to move at times, so having a 24” breaker bar or similar helps.

If engine turns but stops at one location then stop. Then start turning engine back over the other direction (counter clock wise). If it turns roughly 7/8ths of a turn before stopping, then a tossed rod is a good possibility.

If there is a lot fresh oil in a certain location, then use a flashlight and mirror and you should be able to find a location.
BudW
 

AJ/FormS

Well-Known Member
Joined
Apr 26, 2016
Messages
1,291
Reaction score
305
Location
On the Circle of the earth, Southern Man,Canada
Back in the late 70s I had an ugly green 69 Barracuda 225/904. It was hotted up a bit with a "crate" long block from a local rebuilder. I hotted up the trans a bit and installed a 2800TC. I never did check the rear gears. Well a local kid rolled his 340 Demon and was looking for a car, and he had his eye on mine. The car was actually in mint condition and pretty, with it's white interior and ugly green skin. Anyway, he had a bunch of parts stripped off his rollover, and I told him I might consider a swap, if he could build a big enough pile of good stuff. A bit of time goes by and he shows up with a mountain of stuff. And of course me, at the time, being a dick, said the pile was not big enough. Well a bit more time goes by and he shows up with a second mountain of stuff. Well by now I'm getting suspicious of where all this stuff is coming from. But I look it over and nothing looks overtly new, and he's a good kid, so the deal is made. About a month goes by, and he shows up with my X car. Only now it has a windowed block and a pile of rags stuffed into the hole, and he is driving a 5 cylinder 225! He wants to know if I have a spare 6 banger,lol.
I guess I shoulda teached him how to read the tach,lol. Apparently he was shifting it about the time it quit building rpms....... Anybody know how high a stock 225 can rev to before it quits reving? No? Me neither. I seen mine hit 4500 many times. And it seemed to have a bit more in her. I mighta seen 4800 a time or two, but it was long done pulling. Ivy green? Was that a color in 69? I bought that car about 6 months before I got married. I crashed it on our wedding day, driving like the dick I was.We never made it back to the party....
 
Back
Top