273 help!

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jeepcjaholic

jeepcjaholic

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have a 67 dart 270. the numbers motor is a 273 and would like to know if this motor can make some power or should i put it under the bench and build a 340 for it? 727 tranny 8 3/4 sure track rear. the car runs great but i would like some more jam. any help. also, will the 340 bolt up to the 273 727 tranny?
 
340 would be the better option if you change although the 273 is now slouch. I have a 273 as a spare that has been in three different cars. Just don't swap it with a 318, that would be a waste of time IMO.
 
It depends on your goals and how original/different you want it to be.

In my 67 Barracuda(in like 1991 or 92) I rebuilt the 273 with high swirl 318 heads( I forget the casting number but I think 516? I know the 360 ones are 308) with 1.88/1.60 valves to keep from notching the bore and it came out to 10:1. 510/286 Erson solid cam and re-used the stock adjustable valvetrain and topped it of with a Street Dominator intake and a 625 AVS and 3.91 gears and cheapy headers.I tried to kept it looking totally stock with the krinkle painted valve covers and air cleaner then I painted the whole engine Chrysler red.

The car SCREAMED good up to 7K. It was great fun.

Pistons may be tough to get now days but I'm not sure.
 
homecloned said:
340 would be the better option if you change although the 273 is now slouch. I have a 273 as a spare that has been in three different cars. Just don't swap it with a 318, that would be a waste of time IMO.
Click to expand...

Good advice. Nothing wrong with a 273. They're fun little engines and except for the pistons they cost the same to build as most other small blocks.
 

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Agreed. Slugs for the 273 can be pricey. Egge machine will make some for you, but there cast pistons. Nothing wrong with cast pistons, but, they do have there limits. If your building within those limits and driving like a normal person would, they'll last.

A bigger engine is a worth while investment. IMO, I'd skip the expensive 340 engine. (However, if that is what you want, don't let anyone talk you out of it.)
I would look for a 360. There alot cheaper and have a bit more stroke for alot more torque which is great for the street. There a easy engine to build up and 400 HP can be done easy and very streetable without huge stall converters or cam sizes.
This makes the engine work less per CID and alot more fun while driving.
 
Rumble, great idea! I need to get my 66 done and look for a 64 post car that I can hot rod. I think a 408 would be fun....just ask pettyblu Scott. LOL
 
Thanks Mike. I don't wanna talk anybody out of building a 273 up. But a 360 is cheaper than a 340 and makes more torque. A stroker is expensive and not mentioned in my post due to my view of doing things a bit cheaper than just going for a forged stroker and Indy heads full ported with a roller cam approach. Which wouldn't be so bad ethier.....LOL!
 
I would leave the 340 stuff to the restoration guys and go with a 360. You will need an adaptor for the small hub (pre 68 ) torque convertor if you replace the engine with anything 68 and newer, other than that the original trans will work with any smallblock.
 
thanks for all the help, i've got some thinking to do. the 273 has a mild build and runs and sounds great, so maybe run it and build what i want on the side. cheers
 
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