440magnum
Well-Known Member
Hi. I purchased what the seller said was a 1966 273 commando engine. My question is how do you tell if it is? Any stamps, numbers, on the block or heads. Or do I have to pull the heads and check valve dia. pistons, etc.
273 commando. How 2 tell?
- Thread starter 440magnum
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Im sure someone will chime in, but the only way I have heard is the pistons are dometops
Rocky_JS
'cuda
If standard bore, pistons commando 2 valve relief semi dome, std 4 valve unidirectional pistons. If bored all bets off as it could have higher compression flat top piston also.
Robbie2734
Lambcharger
Check the valve lift, should be about .420 and is it a 4 bbl?? The distributer will be a dual point. If you can pull a plug and see if you can tell if the piston is domed.
65Val
Average Length Member
Yyyyeeessss!!!!....lol
Pistons, valve covers, 4 bbl cast intake and carb, chrome unsilenced air cleaner, dual-point dizzy, and if the car is available, an "E" in the VIN.....Nuff?
Pistons, valve covers, 4 bbl cast intake and carb, chrome unsilenced air cleaner, dual-point dizzy, and if the car is available, an "E" in the VIN.....Nuff?
66cuda-s
Well-Known Member
All as stated above plus finned valve covers (however these could have easily been added - or removed).
An E? In 66 a "D" designates 273 and nothing in the vin tells that it is a HP-4 barrell engine
65Val
Average Length Member
You're right Mike....that "E" is '67....my bad! 20 lashes with a wet noodle for me!
Rocky_JS
'cuda
50 for you Mike LOL, E in 67 is 273 4bbl D is 273 2bbl
65Val
Average Length Member
Mike needs to get his own noodle....mines wore out!:blob::violent1::blob:
lol
Rocky_JS
'cuda
E in 67 is 273 4-bbl, D in 67 is 273 2-bbl. 67 code 31 is 2-bbl, and 67 code 32 4-bbl.
Dang I need to get my books out. I think I'll go to bed instead. LOL
Correct Me if in error here Folks...
I thought the Hp Engines had mechanical valve trains?
Might be a determining factor, --- as far as I can remember, there were no
component assembly codes on the Block or Heads?
The O/P has no access to the original Body.
With respects.
I thought the Hp Engines had mechanical valve trains?
Might be a determining factor, --- as far as I can remember, there were no
component assembly codes on the Block or Heads?
The O/P has no access to the original Body.
With respects.
Rocky_JS
'cuda
prior to 68 ALL 273 engines were solid lifter w/adjustable rockers. Heads and all were same. Really surefire way to tell is pistons, since intake, dist, v/c's can all be changed.
65Val
Average Length Member
Rocky's got it. 1968/69 went to juice lifters, and there was no 4 bbl option available for those years.
440magnum
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the input everyone. Engine came with Commando valve covers, correct 4bb carb, air cleaner,and aluminum intake.All of these items could have been put on any 273. Looks like it will come down to the pistons.
Rocky_JS
'cuda
it has an aftermarket alum intake? depending on what you're doing with it proper intakes can be a bit difficult to find but not impossible. The Covers and air cleaner and proper # carb are nice. Dual point dizzy's were generally tossed away years ago.
Hard to find a 45+ YO engine without being rebuilt at least once. So even with that said if it is an untouched commando engine - pistons, if once done the pistons may not tell you. You will need to measure piston height in bore etc and calculate compression ratio.
The nice thing is oversize commando pistons can now be obtained through egge. So you can make a 273 a "commando" if it has the wrong pistons. There are no other discerning marks to tell one from the other, maybe cast/steel crankshaft. Mostly bolt on goodies and pistons.
Hard to find a 45+ YO engine without being rebuilt at least once. So even with that said if it is an untouched commando engine - pistons, if once done the pistons may not tell you. You will need to measure piston height in bore etc and calculate compression ratio.
The nice thing is oversize commando pistons can now be obtained through egge. So you can make a 273 a "commando" if it has the wrong pistons. There are no other discerning marks to tell one from the other, maybe cast/steel crankshaft. Mostly bolt on goodies and pistons.
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