Introduction

Hi gentlemen,

I'm Erik Marais from Bellville in the Western Cape. I work in the IT industry (data warehousing). About 39 years old ('71 model).

I don't have great mechanical knowledge so I'm gonna need lots of help from you folks, since I recently acquired a bag of troubles with this old lady. She is a '73 Regal S. I assume all these Regals had S badges. She is very much complete but for a few minor interior items broken.

The motor is a bit too sluggish. Got that hissing sound coming as soon as I put the engine under load. But more about that another day.

I used to blow my money on music equipment, having played guitar in a band until we split up about a year ago. Now I guess the Valiant is stepping up into that role.

A while back I started looking out for a muscle car. Checked out a few on the market but nothing tickeled my fancy. The Valiants had some meaning since they were present in my youth, and I love the sound of a six cylinder. (Used to own a 280L Laural - got it from my dad). My dad used to own a '69 Rebel, and later a '73 VIP.

So I started reading up about Valiants, and was very intrigued with its history and with the Slant 6 motor.

My wish list also include a '69 Rebel and a '71 VIP but that will have to wait a while.

Welcome! Nice Val you got, love the wheels.

Thanks Bertie,

I assume you are referring to the "white walls"?. Got it as is.

I think these cars in the 70's did have this sort of "white walls"? Not sure if whites of today is exactly the same as in the seventies.

Most of the cars from seventies came with those thin stripe white wall. It is general misconception from South Africans that only the previously disadvantage groups preferred the white walls. Yes, I am referring to the white walls and the hubcaps. You will see on my memeber garage I still have the Chrysler SE hubcaps on mine, but Fanie has got the Valiant hubcaps which he is going to swap for the SE hubcaps, ne Fanie? Hope you get the engine sorted, this is what mine looks like now and is running like a swiss watch. Had to share it with you, still waiting for Fanie to update my garage,

Beautiful engine Bertie, will talk to you some time as I need to do mine like that at some point. I have recently acquired a 76 Rebel, still to collect it. Don't know how to post the pics here from my mobile.

Nice motor Bertie. I hope to have mine as pretty one day.

I was wondering about those hub cabs of yours when I first saw your VIP.

BTW I see your hood ornament is missing? That would be the first thing I would replace!

Got the hood ornament, like I said, waiting for Fanie to update my member garage, but here is pic.

Cool
I see you've got a HEMI sticker. I thought the HEMI was only on the Australian engines, 215, 245 and 265?

Nah, the HEMI sticker is only for my own ego.He he he

[68barracuda]

Image is Up - WISH he would remove the HEMI sticker

Ag I have to have something to look forward too

Oh and by the way, I got NGK ZFR5N plugs for my VIP, will install them when me and Fanie do the installation of the new Mopar dizzy.

So is the NGK ZFR5N plugs usable on all the slants?

Did you import them?

How easy is it to get plugs for the slants at Midas etc?

[68barracuda]

So is the NGK ZFR5N plugs usable on all the slants?

Did you import them?

How easy is it to get plugs for the slants at Midas etc?

Standard plugs are available everywher - the zfr5n plugs are better - they are used in the straightsix jeeps

[68barracuda]

Ag I have to have something to look forward too

Oh and by the way, I got NGK ZFR5N plugs for my VIP, will install them when me and Fanie do the installation of the new Mopar dizzy.

Install them so long you will see the diffrence - just remember to remove the washers - and also they use a smaler plug socket

I think I will wait to install them once I get the new dizzy, dont want to be dissapointed if I dont feel difference. Yes I have already removed the washers and got the smaller socket

Erik, I got them at American Jeep in Centurion, but you can ask for them at any Chrysler /Jeep dealership that sell parts. Ask for MOPAR NGK ZFR5N plugs and you will get a nice packet of six all wrapped in nice MOPAR packaging. The cost is approx R50 each, but I think it will be worth it, especially with electronic ignition.