Can a newer hydraulic cam be installed in a older slantsix? I know you can easily swap these in a small block, is it the same on a slanter?

madmax6995@hotmail.com

This swap can be done by using all the related Hydraulic Cam parts like the rocker arms, pushrods etc.
The biggest issue with this swap is that the factory added a groove to the rear cam bearing to get more oil flow up to the rocker arms, which feeds down to the lifters. You can groove the rear cam journal to get around changing-out the rear cam bearing.
Is there a good reason to change over to the Hyd. cam? The solid lifter set-up is more dependable.
DD

Lack of noise and ease of maintenance were what I had in mind. We plan on driving the turbo cuda on the power tour, so the less maintenance the better. Whats the recomended schedule for setting lash on a 6? max

madmax6995@hotmail.com

Doug,
Are you sure the factory used a grooved rear bearing? I just looked at a Mopar Performance Slant 6 hydraulic cam and lifter package I have here and the rear journal on the cam shaft is grooved.

Do you still have that copy of the 1978 service bulletin I emailed to you some years ago telling about the 20,000 1978 Slant 6 engines that had a hydraulic cam and lifters installed? If not I can dig it up again for anyone interested. It gives all the unique parts and part numbers.

cfield@ll.net

You might want to use hydraulic lifters if you're going to use a knock sensor on a SL6 with boost.

Bob D



BBobbias@aol.com

Here is the Tech Bulliton on the swap.
As for how often you need to adjust the mechanicals, that depends on the cam, valves & seats as well as the overall condition of the parts in the valve train.
Some stock SL6 engines go 100,000+ without ever getting a valve adjust. For me, I check & re-adjust every year or two, just for "drill".
As for using a grooved cam journal or grooved bearing, I have seen both. Use either but do something to get oil up top faster or the engine will make a lot of lifter noise at the worst of times. (cold and on the choke's fast idle)
DD

Craig writes:

I spotted a vague reference to hydraulic-equipped '78 engines in a Motor's quickie parts guide some years back, but the trail grew cold before I could find out anything about it. I'd sure like to see that bulletin! Was it a part of the '78 Tech Service Bulletin set?

redbear@vrx.net

Yes Dan, I found it in my 1978 Service Bulletins. I have most years of the bound bulletins from 1975 through the 1980's. Doug posted the scan I sent him a few posts below this one. Take a look.
-Craig-


cfield@ll.net