273 Commando Rebuild Or Not?

66fs said

Since you can't find the OEM steel shim .020 thick gaskets it does not matter. I don't like steel shim stamped steel gaskets. I always felt they seeped oil. You pretty much need a 3.91 bore gasket on a 273 because of the head chamber opening. I always used the Fel-Pro small block gaskets on a 273. They are .040 thick and seal everything up, never a problem. My engines make plenty of power, so a tad lower compression does not seem to matter much.

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I should have replied earlier…… thanks for the info.
I’m considering freshening up my Commando 273 just for the sake of it. Haven’t done a compression check yet, but it starts and runs very well, but does blow a small amount of blue smoke when revved a bit harder.
I’ve literally only driven it round the block, and started it in my shed.
Am I right in thinking I can simply get a 318 gasket kit and it will suit ? Assuming the. Domed pistons are fine, is a rebuild that hard or are most bits available ? In Australia the majority of Mopar 8s you see are 318 and 360….. but 273s are around. Just not many.

Oh…..and the spark plug “shields”….. are they part of the manifold gaskets ?