273 or 225?
if you *really* want a V8, then at least that's a convenient way to get all the V8 specific parts for the swap.
but unless it's a commando spec or already hopped up 273 it's not gonna be all that much better than a warmed up slant, and any hot rodding to the early 273 is going to cost more than usual due to the unique heads/intake.
personally i'd spend money toward upgrades-- suspension, brakes, steering, electronic ignition, alternator/wiring updates than a wheezy V8
:thumbsup:
This is my take. I have a 62 Dart Polara 500 that the previous owner removed an OEM 361/727 and replaced it with a warmed over 273/4sp. I believe that swap lowered its desirability on the market. I bought the car sight unseen. My intentions were to fairly quick drop in a 440+. I was surprised how peppy the car was when it arrived. I changed directions and made it a cruiser with a few upgrades, and bought another 62 to hot rod.
Would I suggest anyone take the same route?
No.
A 273 has nearly the same size and weight as any 318, 340 or 360, and hard to tell the differences visually
The early 273 reputation as being a high revving small motor no longer holds with the above new bigger bore motors.
It has little desirability, and the OEM heads require special somewhat rare aftermarket intakes.
My opinion, any LA bigger motor makes a lot more sense in every way.
If you are not racing, any good running 318 can be had for merely hundreds of bucks, is nearly a drop in, and you can always toss in it a 4" stroker in the next rebuild if you need more power, but then a 8.75 will be in your future.
Personally, non racing, I'd go stroker 360 and never look back.:D
A slant without mega bucks upgrades will seldom ever keep up with any of the above V8's warmed over.