273 Questions

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RAT ROD AL

RAT ROD AL

MOPAR ARCHEOLOGIST - one parts hoard at a time!
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First off what's this deal ? I've never seen this in all my years of moparing ? Screw holding the timing cover in place !

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I don't see 273 cast in the side of the block and is this actually a 64 273 ?Thanks for any and all insite !


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The photo makes me feel like maybe I'm seeing it wrong, but isn't that a later timing cover with the cast timing marks? 64 was on the other side so someone engineered that?
 
That one has been messed with in the last 61 years. 2-22-64 is the block casting date. The stamped characters wer anyone's guess. Possibly a rebuild or remanufacture date. Hand stamped.
 
With the funky dimple in the side of the block behind the drivers side motor mount ears that would make it a 273 block. You can also confirm that by checking the bore to be less then 3.90"
 
WV64Signet said:
The photo makes me feel like maybe I'm seeing it wrong, but isn't that a later timing cover with the cast timing marks? 64 was on the other side so someone engineered that?
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Yes, it had a newer T/C on it. But it also had the bolt on timing tab on it.

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toolmanmike said:
That one has been messed with in the last 61 years. 2-22-64 is the block casting date. The stamped characters wer anyone's guess. Possibly a rebuild or remanufacture date. Hand stamped.
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I do believe it has been rebuilt, as it had .030 pistons in it.


Just wondering why it's not cast 273 on the passenger side of block.
 
I thought I over paid for this heap, as I always think that. But some how manage to make a little on top to make it worth my while to get some guys and girls a few usable parts and save them from the scrap pile !
Not much good on it but maybe the 273 will save the day !

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I believe the issue with the timing cover is the bolt hole ear is broken off and someone put a large head screw in to catch the edge of the timing cover and hold it tight.
 
RustyRatRod said:
I believe the issue with the timing cover is the bolt hole ear is broken off and someone put a large head screw in to catch the edge of the timing cover and hold it tight.
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Thanks Rob, I'll check that out. Unfortunately the cover is all pitted all to hell inside.
 
RustyRatRod said:
I believe the issue with the timing cover is the bolt hole ear is broken off and someone put a large head screw in to catch the edge of the timing cover and hold it tight
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Better stick to your slants :poke: :rofl:
No bolt hole there. Both lower holes are intact.
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RRR, JUST GIVING YOU A HARD TIME!:rolleyes:
 
Well, I think I've got a few answers, but it also brings up a few other questions...
First, I think that's a poly 318 block wearing 273 heads. I'm not familiar with poly casting numbers, but I do know that the "A" engine (318 polysphere) used an extra bolt on the left side of the timing cover that is not present on any of the LA engines (273, 318, 340 or 360), all other bolts remained the same.
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LA:

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It looks to me like the timing cover rotted out and was replaced with a more readily available LA timing cover; and instead of just plugging the extra bolt hole with an allen screw, they notched the LA cover and ran a machine screw into the hole. Just a guess.
Another way to confirm this, but would require removal of the heads- or maybe just the intake, would be to check the pushrod reliefs in the block. A poly block has reliefs MUCH deeper than LA blocks.
Poly:
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LA:
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If the heads are off, you can easily measure the bore to confirm, too.
But this all begs the question, Why? Poly blocks are much more rigid, but heavier. And you'd have to swap out the poly pistons for LA 318 pistons, 'cause the poly slugs won't work with LA heads.
But it sure looks like an A engine block to me.
Methinks you need to find a Poly guy to decode those numbers.
 
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I think want you are seeing is V 273 4-21

V= 1964
273 =displacement
4-21 = assembly date

Screenshot_20250402-215930.png
 
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Dana67Dart said:
A Guide To Mopar V8 Cylinder Head And Block Casting Numbers

View attachment 1716387470

Not to say that someone didn't put on poly corver on and drill and tap the block.

Btw thanks for the education on the timing cover I have never seen that. Learn something new every day.
Click to expand...
Yeah, who knows what happened in the last 60 years...
But when I see that extra timing cover bolt on a block, I automatically think "poly". Maybe early-early 273s still got the A engine machining process and timing cover?
 
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