1966 Plymouth Barracuda - Commando 273 V8
So... I've pulled the rotten gas tank out, put the new one in with a new fuel sending unit, and fuel tube to tank seal. Hammered the hell out of the gas cap mounting point on the filler neck tube - where the gas cap mounts/screws into. Somebody used poor logic upon removing the gas cap that used to be on there, with a crow bar... So needless to say, it's back in better submission than before. before the tank installation, shot compressed air through the fuel line at the tank end, also had it disconnected from the fuel pump of course, shot tons of crap out which was really good, didn't smell great. Got the fuel system all hooked back up, using a gas cap from my '65 Barracuda since I converted it to the flip top gas cap. Got a new master cylinder cause the previous one leaked its guts everywhere on the rotten floor pan.. Lucked out on bleeding the brakes AGAIN!! So freaking awesome when you don't have to bleed brakes and your master cylinder self-bleeds. Got nice firm pedal, haven't even inspected the drum brakes condition yet and they're all working perfectly fine!
Fired her up, put the transmission in neutral for 30 seconds, and then in drive for another 30 seconds just to get the new fluids circulating after 20 years. Threw it in reverse and off I drove, straight to the gas station. Had a big red fire extinguisher next to me in case of any problems that could arise... Got there safe and much sound. Filled her up with 13 gallons, then drove back. As I was driving back I was noticing that my rpms were excessively high while pushing 35 mph, no shaking or anything which was real nice. Once I got back, added another pint of ATF+4, played with the kickdown, and got the timing set 15-17°BTDC, running with the factory Commando 273 dual point distributor.
Took it for another spin..Dramatic improvement! It finally was acting what I would consider normal, but doesn't seem like it's quite as fast as I would expect a 273 commando with 10.5:1 compression to be. So I'm gonna look into upgrading to the '73 style electronic ignition system, or HEI it. Have no idea what the spark plugs look like, but every cylinder is firing ok. Coil looks like it's seen better days, same for plug wires. Not even sure if my 1406 is jetted for the high altitude here in central Utah, gonna look into it more, already leaned it out and got my rpms sitting around 650. Gonna changed the rear end oil out later on, checked it, was completely full and looked kinda nasty. Listening to 4bbls open up is something else with this 273, sounds freakin' awesome.
So right now I am planning on giving this motor to my father in the future for his '66 Fomula S because his brother destroyed the factory 273 commando in his formula S wayyy back then, so my father had threw a '66/'67 273 in with a 273 4bbl intake, not as fast or correct to his car, also plan on doing a magnum swap or maybe, just maybe consider throwing my 440 in her.
Gotta get floor pans still or see if I can just make some patch panels for the floors, power wash the inside, get all the mouse/rat piss/stuff out, get the seats redone, get new carpet, new headliner, recondition the dash, fix some previous owner rat nest wiring in the dash, still deciding if I want to rhino line the floor before carpet, or go a different route. Gotta get lots of body work done, would be ideal if I could get 2 fenders to replace the horrible welded/body work job on them instead of attempt to undo the damage. Gotta make patch panels for the rear lower quarter panels, get a better passenger tail light since that one's all mangled. Gotta redo the dual exhaust cause it's gonna rattle itself off due to soooo much rust on the pipes..
Anyways, took it to work for the first time a few days ago, went 60 and it flew as streetlight as an arrow, not bad for a car that hasn't been driven in 20 years! Checked each wheel after my drive, every single one is about the same temperature so that makes me believe the drums are all adjusted perfectly. Still gonna take the front hubs off and inspect the bearings, throw new wheel bearing grease in, and also grease all the grease zerks/front suspension.
Got'er headlight trim rings installed finally!
Gonna be a fun daily driver/restoration! Here's a video of her first drive ;)
[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt5BBiTp-8Y"]1966 Plymouth Barracuda 273 Commando - Runnin'!!! - YouTube[/ame]
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