273 advise needed

[73Charger318]

Always start timing by pulling the #1 plug on a Mopar and stuffing a rag in the hole - turn over until it pops out - look at the degree marks on the dampner and alignment pointer should be close to TDC - then look to be sure the rotor on the dist is pointing to # 1 - spark - fuel - compression and fire it up. Rings could be "closed" making no compression but there's a little fix for that....

Sledge hammer? Explosives? lol

 

[stillrunners]

Sledge hammer? Explosives? lol

Yep.....did all that to a little 283 in an early 40's Ford with no luck - finally pulled it down the road to get it going because it was a standard.....and still didn't fire off even with spark and all.....sold the dang thing !!!

 

[mad mike]

All good points. If I find out the motor is wasted and can't be rebuilt I don't see dropping a 318 in. The car needs everything, and I think it loses a lot of its appeal if it becomes a commando look a like. It has set for 30 years. All the interior is now out, it needs everything from carpet to headliner and in between. The once pretty ruby red paint is now in need of sandblasting. I can't see throwing more money into the car if it's lost its original drivetrain appeal. Parting out the car and finding something else would be the direction I would lean. The budget allows for a rebuild if the motor is worth rebuilding. All I really want out of the build is a good running motor, any extra HP would just be icing on the cake.

I have a 66 Barracuda and the 273 was completely destroyed so I figured what the hell I'm not selling it. Instead, I built a 360 magnum for it had a lot of fun cramming it in, swapping to a serpentine belt, Doug headers, Portronics electronic ignition, I nice flow thru intake with 1 inch riser under the 750 carb. I had some problems finding my 8.75 rear wound up buying a 67 non posi and changing the differential to posi with 391 dears. I put 15-inch Mickey Thompson Street and strip radials and adjustable pinion snubber. I left the 13-inch tires on the front. Runs like it was born to race. Won't though its my last build of my life I'm 69 and it keeps me young. Next is body and paint. I'm almost done with the interior. Love your car as I do or sell it to me cheap. I'm no millionaire LOL good luck with it.

 

[73Charger318]

I have a 66 Barracuda and the 273 was completely destroyed so I figured what the hell I'm not selling it. Instead, I built a 360 magnum for it had a lot of fun cramming it in, swapping to a serpentine belt, Doug headers, Portronics electronic ignition, I nice flow thru intake with 1 inch riser under the 750 carb. I had some problems finding my 8.75 rear wound up buying a 67 non posi and changing the differential to posi with 391 dears. I put 15-inch Mickey Thompson Street and strip radials and adjustable pinion snubber. I left the 13-inch tires on the front. Runs like it was born to race. Won't though its my last build of my life I'm 69 and it keeps me young. Next is body and paint. I'm almost done with the interior. Love your car as I do or sell it to me cheap. I'm no millionaire LOL good luck with it.

Sounds like a fun car! 5K shipped to your door and you can do whatever you want with it. No millionaire bank account needed. lol. Thanks!

 

[Red Coupe]

A lot of good advice here. First of all, decide what you want the car to be: (survivor, race car, restomod, restored) and let that guide your decisions.

I'm kinda in the same boat with a 66 Dart Charger 4 speed. Since this will be a street car I'll be looking for torque.... max power at high RPM but with no bottom end is not for me.

Good luck with whatever you chose.