273, or 318?

polyjohn said
A 273 is like a 289 Ford, why bother?

A 318 is a fine starting point for any build.

If your 273 has a steel crank then, stock 318 with trick pistons, if NOT.

I have several versions, a 110 overbore with turned down 340 pistons is one, (small bore 340@333cubes)

A 90 thou overbore with 360 turned down crank, with 360 flat top 1971 pistons is another, (360)

Or just get a 360 block for $50 and have a 408 stroker...

The choices are endless lol:rofl:

My 40 Ford came with the 289 2V. I put an Edelbrock RPM Airgap and Performer 600 carb on it. Ran great until the electric fan quit. Mopar 273 and Chev 283 are similar and the 307 and 305 Chevs get the same dirty looks, toss 'em and grab a larger sibling to build or just throw in and go.
Granted the small bores of the 273 SBM and the 305 Chev can restrict valve size and head choice. But the small bore has an advantage, flame propagation. Distace is less so the combustion is completed before conditions for detonation develop in the cylinder. Thus a bit more compression can be built in to compensate.
I hate todays world where it is all throw away and we wonder where the "enviornmental crisis" came from.
It is like lawn mower heads that the valves get to sticking. Ask at most small engines about replacing the valve guides and touching up the valves and seats, they most likely will tell you it is cheaper to put a new head on. Made in China, of course. So it is less expensive to send the old heads to China, melt them down and cast new ones and ship them back?
I like those little engines and they did run well.