64 273 Torque Converter issues

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64DodgeThis

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I have read alot of posts here about 67 and earlier 273's having a smaller register. I have seen alot of people saying to either switch out cranks, find a converter that will fit or to swap engines. My question on this is, is it at all possible to machine down the snout on the torque converter for it to fit into the smaller register? If so has anyone tried this at all?


64 Dodge Dart
64 273 orignal engine
69 727 tranny which has the bigger snout on the torque converter.

My orignal 904 tranny went out for the 2nd time within 2 years, not sure if it was the shops fault or adjustment issues.
 
There isn't a whole lot of material to work with on the converter snout since it is made out of stamped steel. What really messes things up is the input shaft spline count changed when the register did (after '67). You can have a converter made with the small register and the higher spline count and vice versa, but be prepared to spend big bucks for a custom converter. It's cheaper to throw in a '68 or newer 318 crank.
 
I have the 69 318 that the 727 was behind but I was trying to avoid switching the engine out as I was unsure if the 318 would fit in the dart. I know the 273 is a LA version so the head style was made differently to fit the v8's into the A bodies. I guess my question now would be is the 69 318 a LA version aswell?
 
64DodgeThis said:
I have the 69 318 that the 727 was behind but I was trying to avoid switching the engine out as I was unsure if the 318 would fit in the dart. I know the 273 is a LA version so the head style was made differently to fit the v8's into the A bodies. I guess my question now would be is the 69 318 a LA version aswell?
Click to expand...

Yes a 69 318 is the LA version. You can easily identify a Poly head from a LA by the valve covers. The Poly head's valve covers are much wider than an LA. I'ts been forever since I saw a Poly head but I think I remember them having the valve cover hold down bolts going through the top center of the cover. The LA cover has 5 hold down bolts around the perimeter of the base.
 
Thank you Fishy68, that explains alot. I have a few poly head vehicles here, the dart and the 318 are the only ones that aren't.
 
ok, the 318 isn't any good, got a few scarred cylinders. So my question now would be will the 69 318 crank fit into the 64 273 and if so would it have to be balanced again or no? Just trying to get this thing back the on road again, sucks not having my car going.
 
Man that does suck cause the 318 crank will bolt in but you have the torque converter register issue since it's a 69 and the 273 is a 64 plus it'll need balanced because the piston weight is considerably different between a 273 and a 318. I think I remember seeing someone advertising a 273 crank recently in the for sale section. didn't pay attention to what year it was but if the crank is all you need to get the 273 going it'd be less work and cheaper to find a crank for it. Just make sure the crank is a 67 or older.
 
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