(Newbe) 273 to a 340 and tremec 5speed swap.

You should just straight swap a running engine in it and drive it or flip it while you rebuild something or acquire parts for a 440 swap. That way its running and driving and you don't have to spend a whole lot of money real fast. Drive it around town with a "for sale" sign in the window...318s are a dime a dozen and according to some on here the car will "run like a bat out of hell" and what ever you do don't buy a 1966 or earlier "318" :)