65 273

[65Vart]

I'm going to be pulling the heads on my 65 273. Yes this is the one with the 5/16 intake bolts at the wierd angle etc. What should I be aware of as far as replacement head gaskets and intake gaskets? I heard the intake set for this year is hard to get and the end gaskets don't fit. I don"t want to run into any vacume leak problems. The reason I'm pulling them is number one they need to be freshened up as far as the valve seats etc, and number two I have a coolent leak that I am hoping is coming from the exhaust manifold stud on the rear passanger side. As soon as the car gets up to running temp it disappears, I am also debating throwing on the D4B so why not do everything at once. Last, is there any truth to the myth that freshening up heads without rebuilding the bottom end is asking for trouble...Old mechanic told me that once.

 

[toolmanmike]

As long as the short block is healthy it should be ok. Do a compression test. If the results are fairly even and 120# or so you should be good. The head gaskets are over the counter ones. Reseal the front and rear exhaust manifold studs on both heads. I have a Mr.Gasket #304 intake gasket set for the early 273's if you need it. That should work great with your D4B. Good luck. MIke

 

[65Vart]

As long as the short block is healthy it should be ok. Do a compression test. If the results are fairly even and 120# or so you should be good. The head gaskets are over the counter ones. Reseal the front and rear exhaust manifold studs on both heads. I have a Mr.Gasket #304 intake gasket set for the early 273's if you need it. That should work great with your D4B. Good luck. MIke

Thanks Mike,You seem to be the 273 guru on here PM me with your price on that intake set.

 

[toolmanmike]

Not a guru. I just like the little devils!!!! PM sent.

 

[wedgie]

There is an issue finding the correct 273 head gaskets. The gaskets that are currently available fit the larger bore 318, 340, and 360 engines. They are also much thicker than the original steel shim head gaskets. Add all this up and you will find quite a decrease in compression ratio. Will they work? Yep. Will you have optimum performance? Nope.
It took me six months to find a pair of original steel shim head gaskets for my '65. It was the last pair the guy had. Cost me a bunch. Guess he knew what he had.

 

[toolmanmike]

There is an issue finding the correct 273 head gaskets. The gaskets that are currently available fit the larger bore 318, 340, and 360 engines. They are also much thicker than the original steel shim head gaskets. Add all this up and you will find quite a decrease in compression ratio. Will they work? Yep. Will you have optimum performance? Nope.
It took me six months to find a pair of original steel shim head gaskets for my '65. It was the last pair the guy had. Cost me a bunch. Guess he knew what he had.

Any of you 273 guys out there have Cometic make you a set?

 

[65TerrorCuda]

No but I made my own out of sheet aluminum. Made the engine sound completely different and much meatier. I used crappy sealant and they immediately leaked. Now they hang on a wall and look cool, right next to the copper milodon also-leaky gaskets. XD

 

[64_Barracuda]

Well Vart, if you are putting on a LD4b Edelbrock intake it will not work on your car unless you woller out the intake bolt holes quite a bit. The only thing that will work for sure is the Factory Commando intake for a four barrel. It is a one year only option in 1965, 1964 was still only 2bbl. In 1966 Chrysler went to the wider angled heads that are used today. So take that into consideration.

Is your car 10.5:1 or 8:1 compression?

You could go Dual quad if you want but that manifold is a d64 for 64/65 engines. d66 for 1966 and up.

Now to make your life easier, is the car all stock? if you don't care I would if I were you pick up a 1966 and up set of heads so you can use whatever intake you want to use.

You could get a set of Big Port 318 heads and get some better flow.

Lots of combonations to be had.

I can tell you from experiance my 65 is a 273 8:1 with 318 heads on it, I used the old adjustable rocker arms and pushrods, I run a Wiend Square bore intake on it. Edelbrock 1406 Carb (allmost like the Carter BBD) The intake I think was a mistake with the stock camshaft there just isn't enough torque in that motor. I have a couple of LD4B's one has been machined for big port heads, I think I am going to put that one on and see what happens.

As far as head gaskets I have never had a problem getting 273 gaskets. Now for intake make sure whoever you get them from asks you wether you want small port or big port gaskets. Some of the "Aces" at the parts store will order whatever comes up first.

Hope some of my trials and tribulations help you out, don't hesitate to ask.....

 

[65Vart]

Well Vart, if you are putting on a LD4b Edelbrock intake it will not work on your car unless you woller out the intake bolt holes quite a bit. The only thing that will work for sure is the Factory Commando intake for a four barrel. It is a one year only option in 1965, 1964 was still only 2bbl. In 1966 Chrysler went to the wider angled heads that are used today. So take that into consideration.

Is your car 10.5:1 or 8:1 compression?

You could go Dual quad if you want but that manifold is a d64 for 64/65 engines. d66 for 1966 and up.

Now to make your life easier, is the car all stock? if you don't care I would if I were you pick up a 1966 and up set of heads so you can use whatever intake you want to use.

You could get a set of Big Port 318 heads and get some better flow.

Lots of combonations to be had.

I can tell you from experiance my 65 is a 273 8:1 with 318 heads on it, I used the old adjustable rocker arms and pushrods, I run a Wiend Square bore intake on it. Edelbrock 1406 Carb (allmost like the Carter BBD) The intake I think was a mistake with the stock camshaft there just isn't enough torque in that motor. I have a couple of LD4B's one has been machined for big port heads, I think I am going to put that one on and see what happens.

As far as head gaskets I have never had a problem getting 273 gaskets. Now for intake make sure whoever you get them from asks you wether you want small port or big port gaskets. Some of the "Aces" at the parts store will order whatever comes up first.

Hope some of my trials and tribulations help you out, don't hesitate to ask.....

Thanks I have a rare Eddy D4B for the 65 heads. If I end up changing them I will be trying to find some mid 80s swirl ports and then run an Air gap. The motor has the 10.5/1 s in it now with a comp cams .468 solid lifter.

 

[chewy]

Yup, D4B was 64-65, LD4B was 66-Up.

Rare find. Cool nostalgic speed part to have.