I bought a 6.1 that had some damage. I pulled the engine apart and four of the pistons were destroyed around the edge above the top compression ring. I couldn't believe what I was looking at. There is only about 1/8 th of an inch of metal above the top compression ring. No wonder this happened to this engine.

Also, there is not much metal between the cylinders. Chevy ran into a problem with this in their early 454 engines and the walls would eventually burn through. I see this could be a 6.1 hemi problem .


I was also amazed how wimpy the rods, caps and bolts were. I cannot believe this engine can handle 300 HP much less 425.

Is this a problem that is wide spread? I was going to rebuild this engine and use it in my 70 challenger convertible but the 440 is looking better all the time.

Any comments??????????????? email pilotusmc@aol..com

Bill

 

440 all day long. Very little electronics needed.

 

Time for some aftermarket rods and pistons... There was an article, preping a drag pack Challenger someone lost the rods on new engine dyno run

 

I actually like the 6.1 and 5.7.

Sounds like someone beat that one up good.

The parts are lighter ( not cheaper IMO) than usual stuff but its that light weight that has you banging into the 6400 rev limiter. Mains on that are cross bolted and the aluminum heads flow outstanding OTB. Add the hydraulic roller valve train and whats not to like?

I would upgrade the pistons anyway as I would with a 440. But throw that 6.1 in a 70 Challenger... O man, that would be pretty!!

 

The 6.1 is an outstanding engine, better than the LS platform IMO. The pistons are forged on the 6.1. The ring is moved up for emissions. That is called crevice volume and traps unburned fuel. The Hemi is a hard enough engine to pass emissions, so they did everything possible to reduce it. The 6.1 also uses piston oilers from the main to cool them, so someone was beating this engine hard to burn pistons. Could have been a poor tune and leaned it.


BTW, these blocks will hand 1500HP.