help with 273

I have a '65 Barracuda with a 327 in it. That is a +.060 318. It has plenty of "pep" with a mild cam.

Your 273 is repairable if that is your aim. Obviously a 318 is a cheaper path, with more inches. Right now you have a 2bbl intake, and a lot of machine work ahead. Looking for a running 318 would be cheaper. Finding a 318 somebody has already spent some bucks on is possible too. A 318 or 360 with a 4bbl aftermarket intake, etc in a parts car - that sort of stuff.

The dividing line is the 3.31 vs the 3.58 stroke. The 360 has the longer stroke, everything else has the shorter stroke. Stroke makes torque.

A lot depends on which way you are headed with the car. Street toy? Track toy? Daily driver? Are you going to want to mess with solid lifters? Want a later engine with roller lifters?

Which transmission are you planning to use? A 727 fits, but you will need to use an aftermarket shifter. The OE auto can be built to stand anything a small block can dish out. Or is this a 4 speed car?

The other bumps in the road with an early A body are the brakes the rear end & the exhaust...

Many of those cars had puny 9 inch drums. Some had 10 inch drums. A few had disc brakes. Brakes can be converted to discs, but OEM stuff is getting harder to find.

The rear end in most of those was a 7.5 that many will tell you is a grenade with a loose pin. So far my 7.5 is in one piece, but I plan to replace it. If you like to do donuts & burn outs the 7.5 will not last long.

The exhaust is tight with OEM manifolds. Headers will need to be fenderwell jobs, with big holes in the inner fenders. If you run iron manifolds there are a few choices, somebody here will have the part numbers.

So, fill us in on the particulars for your car, and your goals. There are many very sharp people here at FABO willing to help you.

B.