1966 273 Commando - Thoughts

[NC Engine Builder]

Worth considering. Not sure how you would get it to me across the country like that, but love to chat more on it.

Truck freight strapped to a pallet is pretty easy. But if your in Canada, that might be more difficult, never shipped to Canada before

 

[cudaguy36]

I 2nd the opinion of those who suggested getting a good 360. It would be cheaper and it would have plenty of torque and hp.
You could dress it up to look like the original 273 and have tons of fun beating on it knowing it's parts are plentiful. Just my 2 cents.

 

[1MeanA]

You might be able to build a stock engine for around $6500 up here. I built a stock 340 last year on a budget. I reused the pistons, rods and crank and had the block cleaned, honed, etc. and did the assembly, painting and run in. The cost for having the block and rods rebuilt was $1000 + $1400 for the heads (which was a deal). Aluminum heads are $2k and up. Add in an intake, carb, decent headers, water pump, alternator, gaskets, cam, timing chain, rings, etc. and that is another $3500 plus all the parts I missed. That is $5900 plus a good core. Add in new pistons, an overbore and you are well over $6k. You could save a few bucks if you can find a good used intake, carb or manifolds/headers. Once in awhile low mileage small blocks come up for sale if you are patient.

I don't know if you would save any money finding a low mileage 5.7 hemi. The money will go on headers and conversion parts.

I have imported and exported engines before. I doubt you can bring anything in from the US for under $700 these days. I used Fedex Freight. Exchange is 1.41 plus brokerage fees, duty and GST.

 

[BigB6958]

You might be able to build a stock engine for around $6500 up here. I built a stock 340 last year on a budget. I reused the pistons, rods and crank and had the block cleaned, honed, etc. and did the assembly, painting and run in. The cost for having the block and rods rebuilt was $1000 + $1400 for the heads (which was a deal). Aluminum heads are $2k and up. Add in an intake, carb, decent headers, water pump, alternator, gaskets, cam, timing chain, rings, etc. and that is another $3500 plus all the parts I missed. That is $5900 plus a good core. Add in new pistons, an overbore and you are well over $6k. You could save a few bucks if you can find a good used intake, carb or manifolds/headers. Once in awhile low mileage small blocks come up for sale if you are patient.

I don't know if you would save any money finding a low mileage 5.7 hemi. The money will go on headers and conversion parts.

I have imported and exported engines before. I doubt you can bring anything in from the US for under $700 these days. I used Fedex Freight. Exchange is 1.41 plus brokerage fees, duty and GST.

There are lots of options and I have a long cold winter to decide. It would be nice to have this thing ready for next summer, but budgets and costs are going to give me some grief. Not in a huge rush tho. There are some great engine rebuilders here in YYC so I will probably stick local and get a decent block somewhere off FB Marketplace or Kijiji.

 

[momarlon]

I bought a 64 Barracuda in 1970. 273 4bbl, hiring, 780 dual feed, fenderwell headers and weld on bars holding down a 59 Fairlane 9"rear.
Put a D Dart cam in it and beat the **** out of it for 3 years. Street raced over a 1000 times.and only got beat 3 times.
That car was a monster for what it was.
Now have a 65 that was a /6 factory 4 speed. Pulled the 6 and built a 273 and installed it. Its only a low compression motor but still a lot of fun. With only a 7.25 rear, there is NO racing. Still looking for another Fairlane rear.
Buy or build a 273, they're great little.motors.

My son grenaded the 7 1/4 in his 72 Swinger. He replaced it with an 8.8" rear from an Explorer. It's a factory 318 car. Why would they put such a lame rear-ended in any V8 car?

 

[toolmanmike]

My son grenaded the 7 1/4 in his 72 Swinger. He replaced it with an 8.8" rear from an Explorer. It's a factory 318 car. Why would they put such a lame rear-ended in any V8 car?

You must drive it harder than Grandma did. Yep, the 7 1/4 rears can't take a lot of abuse. The 8.8 seems to be a good one. Rear disc?

 

[harvenator]

My son grenaded the 7 1/4 in his 72 Swinger. He replaced it with an 8.8" rear from an Explorer. It's a factory 318 car. Why would they put such a lame rear-ended in any V8 car?

Dunno. I grenade one jusylt outside my driveway. Took a year to gather the parts but I wound up with a sure grip. One day I'll find another Ford rear. Until then, I don't horse it.