273 swap to 318/ build, cost, potential, daily driver

66fs said
Sounds like you first need to decide what you want. What do you need to get your 273 done? The cam I offered to sell you is as close as we could get to a stock Commando 4 barrel cam. It would work for a 2 barrel or 4 barrel carb. A used 273 or 318 crank should not cost much. Done, nothing else to change, except possibly an adapter ring for a later crankshaft to use the "65" 904 torque converter. A 5.2 (318) Magnum would be a good choice except the heads are very prone to cracking. Going to a 318 LA has compression issues unless you get lucky and find an early engine. Going to a 4 barrel carb is more complicated than one would think, by the time you get the transmission kick down correct and get the right throttle cable bracket, after the cost of an intake and carb. You can use any 904 Transmission since you are changing the crankshaft, but then you will need a different driveshaft and shifter. Not worth using a 727 automatic, they don't fit well in an early Barracuda. Take the time to write it all down and compare all the work and costs, starting now.

With the 273, The machine shop put me at $950-$1100 for tanking, magging and cleaning the heads and block, also includes valve job (give or take additional work or parts needed), installing freeze plugs, installing cam bearings and cam (when and if one was found without other major costly modifications) that’s a rough estimate and description… WITHOUT machine work and reusing the existing piston rings, wrist pins and the like, no boring either, they suggested a new cam and crank… (both rusted and pitted) then a rough estimate of $350-450 in additional parts… rod and main bearings, oil pump, water pump and so on… they did mention difficulties in finding head gaskets (.040) and a few other concerns… this still leaves with either rodding the original radiator at unknown condition or $700 for a new one…

So, please, if you have the time and patience, educate me here with my options and how or why I should take on the 273 or the 318 or a magnum or any other ideal solutions and how to solve the transmission and or exhaust and rear end concerns, if any, or anything else that I might be missing.

With This new information regarding the 273 not being “my dads engine” I am open to any and all best solve-all solutions to get back on the road… that includes whatever engine l, shifter and or transmission changes as well, I am not dedicated or stuck on any particular path here, it’s a clean slate of a 65 barracuda… what can I do today that’ll Ill appreciate and be thankful that I did in 10 years? As rusty ratrod mentioned I did find a 5.2 magnum with a warranty for $1500…