Advice on Bad 273 Motors

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WI-Barracuda

WI-Barracuda

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When we recently purchased the '65 Barracudas, they came with 2 motors. Both are 273/2 barrel engines. Neither were original to the cars and had no history on them when we got them. When we took them to a friend's shop, he did some tests on them (besides compression, not sure what else was done), but he said they probably weren't worth rebuilding based on the cost of parts. That made my decision to go to a 318 in my driver project easier, as we had a free one already lined up. Now he wants the engines out of his shop ASAP. I know I need to get more details from him on his thoughts on the issues with the engines, but wanted to ask if anyone thought it was worth while trying to sell the engines as is or should I just scrap them? If I don't get them out soon, guessing they will end up freezing outside in cold Wisconsin! :)
 
I'm sure someone on the site would want parts off of them, if not one or both motors. See if you can find somewhere that they won't be out in the weather. That way if you sell off some, or all of them you will be able to recoup some of the expenses of building 318.
 
Lots of good parts with 273's. closed chamber heads, mechanical valve train, forged steel cranks, good light floating rods. All parts are an upgrade to building a 318. I have parts to build 273's what would you need?
 
Thanks 66fs for the offer, but I think I am going to move forward with the 318 we picked up. Not looking to build anything drastic, just a driver motor with a 4bbl instead of the 2bbl that is currently on it.

I will have to see if I can find somewhere to store the motors or maybe someone local will be willing to pick them up. Storage unit is just packed full with the other car we got and the extra parts.
 
If you can work out the storage end of the equation keep them to sell. They do have some value. Cost to rebuild? B/S.. Pistons are the only component that might cost a few more bucks than off the shelf KB's for your 318. Everything else is the same small block stuff that get's replaced when you rebuild.
 
If you get them back home, start a sale thread. If you readers are interested, send WI-barracuda a personal message.
 
The cranks are forged and can be used with lightweight pistons and rods in 318-340's. Like the guys said, grab the rockers with shafts and the pushrods. They sell quickly here. Connecting rods are the same as 318 rods and are full floaters. Blocks, and heads are what they are.
 
The little sheet metal timing tabs sell here too. If these are the early LA heads with odd intake bolt angle, we can hardly find a different/better intake that will bolt to those heads. But like others have said, top end parts from those heads are sought after.
 
I Have three 1966 273,1 std and 2 Hipos definitely not worth scraping.
The dated block are very valuable to guys like me.

Build a 273 commando is alot cooler than a 318
 
1966fish said:
I Have three 1966 273,1 std and 2 Hipos definitely not worth scraping.
The dated block are very valuable to guys like me.

Build a 273 commando is alot cooler than a 318
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I think so too. LOL
 
I'm planning a 500 mile round trip to buy a 273 block from another FABO member, if that tells you anything. Granted, he is selling me the block at a more than fair price....but I'm still driving a long ways for a 273. Keep them around until someone else can appreciate them!
 
JDMopar said:
I'm planning a 500 mile round trip to buy a 273 block from another FABO member, if that tells you anything. Granted, he is selling me the block at a more than fair price....but I'm still driving a long ways for a 273. Keep them around until someone else can appreciate them!
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and to think I had a complete 273 that was running when pulled on CL for 200 bucks and never got one single call.....

But then again, when "I" want something, nobody but a select few have it, and it's GOLD!!!!!! But when I sell something, not one single soul has any desire at all, no matter. LOL
 
318willrun said:
and to think I had a complete 273 that was running when pulled on CL for 200 bucks and never got one single call.....

But then again, when "I" want something, nobody but a select few have it, and it's GOLD!!!!!! But when I sell something, not one single soul has any desire at all, no matter. LOL
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It’s all in the timing of the sale, whether you’re selling or buying lol!
 
Treblig said:
I don't think so......................You haven't been struck by lightening or hit by a freight train, so your timing isn't too far off???!!:lol:
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LOL... I guess not. I was thinking mostly on buying/selling car parts.... :) But ya, I'm still alive, and if I'm not, you here have a lot to be worried about me here posting :D
 
I have several 273's laying around taking up space, but I can't scrap them! Sold a complete Commando engine earlier this year for $600. Have another in pieces, but most are 2-bbl's and have good cranks...
 
You're certainly not going to get rich off stock 2 barrel 273s, so why not give them to a FABO member close by who might can use them?
 
dart4forte said:
Cost to build a 273 no different than building a 318
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C'mon if your building a motor, your hopping it up. Try finding good pistons, let alone rings for a 273 (rock still has them in STD, if your looking) . How about a 64-65 intake? Argh, just build a 318 and get a 'free' 80 ft/lbs more torque. IF you like the 273, put a 273 pie tin on a 318, no one will know but you and the 273 guy you beat. IF your starting with a 273-4bbl, you already have the pistons and the intake, might as well just get a modern cam and call it done. Not much I can say that will change your mind from a 273-4 to a 318-4 that I have not said already. Everything 273 fits a 318 'cept the pistons...and 2bbl pins.
 
Not knocking your mechanic, but there is a chance mopar isnt his thing. He just doesent see any value.
I cant blame him,and to ask you to remove the boat anchors isnt out of the question. Moving them on to someone that needs 273 parts would be honorable...
 
dart4forte said:
Cost to build a 273 no different than building a 318
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The only parts that are different between a 318 and a 273 are the pistons and rings. 2 barrel 273 pistons are $339 a set on eBay. No problem making 260+ horse power with them and getting quench and 9:1 compression ratio with a small .425 lift cam. Mid 20 highway mpg is also easily attainable with the same combo. Not sure I would run Commando pistons, they are cast not forged, on the street. As for an 4 barrel intake, Offenhouser intakes can usually be used on 64-65 heads as they cast the early intake bolt angle then spot face the 66 up angle and bolt hole in their SBM intakes. I pulled my favorite 273 years ago when the gas was not good enough to run it in my daily driver 64 Cuda. Just for the record, I was never beaten by a 318 or factory 360 on the street, but my 273 was not stock. I also had the advantage of no one telling me that a 273 was slow or not big enough. Cheap is not part of the equation when building a high performance engine. It is rarely cost effective. The OP has chosen a 318, and it is his choice.
 
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