'84 B250 6cyl general advice

[Glenalth]

I've purchased a 1984 B250 with the 225 slant 6 from a roadside nut vendor. It's in pretty good shape and runs smoothly. It's missing a few parts that I'm slowly scavenging and replacing, but nothing major. The Haynes manual on this thing is somewhat daunting as it covers 25 years and 29 engines.

I'm wondering if anyone here has any advice on problem areas they've had with their Dodge vans or slant 6 engines. Primarily looking for those parts that wear out prematurely or that are unexpected as far as usual maintenance.

I'm new to working on my own vehicle, but trying to keep ahead of those little surprises and make this van last as long as possible.

[Mopar_Stev]

I once owned a Plymouth 74 Duster with a /6. It was a single barrel carb. I think a Carter. It moved the car well and allowed the vehicle to max out at 96mph.

Later, I owned a Dodge 76 Aspen and a 78 both had the S/6 (Super /6) that had a two barrel. It made a big difference for power and how the engine quickly responded. There wasn't that much of a fuel penalty either.

So, if you have a single barrel carb, the two barrel will really help the van.

The 1978 Aspen developed an engine surge. While holding the pedal steady above 35 or more, the car would increase and decrease by 2mph. I never figured out what it was.

[Glenalth]

It is indeed a single barrel. I've got a big list of parts to pull from junkyards, I'll have to keep an eye out for a compatible one.

[Mopar_Stev]

It should be an easy thing to do for going from 1 barrel to two on the carb. just make sure you get the air-cleaner housing with it.

If you live near Utica, MI, the 1978 Aspen is somewhere in that wrecking yard.

[Glenalth]

Since I need to replace the little air gate and possibly the other bits attached to my current air cleaner, that sounds like a good deal.

It's only a 1700 mile drive in a van I don't trust yet.

[alloro]

You can find a lot of used parts here:
http://www.car-part.com/index.htm

They even have some listings for your Air Box/Air Cleaner.

[Glenalth]

Originally Posted by alloro

You can find a lot of used parts here:
http://www.car-part.com/index.htm

They even have some listings for your Air Box/Air Cleaner.

Can't find anything near me there, but filled out the fancy get-a-quote form.

Tomorrow is a day for hitting junk yards for replacing worn out door handles and such. Maybe I'll get lucky.

[alloro]

Most of those places will ship it to you. You don't necessarily have to get one local to you.

[Glenalth]

Originally Posted by alloro

Most of those places will ship it to you. You don't necessarily have to get one local to you.

That's why I filled out the form

Junkyard delayed until tomorrow due to weather

[fredjacksonsan]

The "leaning tower of power" is super durable. Change the oil and it should last a long, long time.

Couple issues with that age of Chryslers might be the water pump every 70k and the timing chain every 100k or so. This was mostly an issue with the V8s.

I owned a 1974 225, it had nearly 60k when I got it and I put over 30k on it in a year with not 1 issue. I'd have had that car longer but this stupid woman pulled out in front of me and I Tboned her. So I put the engine into a 1977 Volare wagon and put over 80k on it in the next two years. At this point the engine was 14 years old and only needed a carburetor. Sadly the vehicle was rusting around it.

[Glenalth]

Originally Posted by fredjacksonsan

Couple issues with that age of Chryslers might be the water pump every 70k and the timing chain every 100k or so. This was mostly an issue with the V8s.

The water pump seems good at the moment, what sort of issues would a worn timing chain cause?

[alloro]

Originally Posted by Glenalth

what sort of issues would a worn timing chain cause?

Low compression, hard starting, misfiring, and lack of power.

[fredjacksonsan]

Originally Posted by Glenalth

The water pump seems good at the moment, what sort of issues would a worn timing chain cause?

At lower rpms, or under a load, the engine will usually run rough and will have less power. After talking with my brothers (we've all owned older Mopars) the timing chain issue usually doesn't come up with the Slant 6.

I'd say enjoy the van, just change the oil and it should last a long while.