273 Commando Piston Reuse - L2222N /.040

I guess I should have mentioned what Stroker said. Run them loose. I ran .007 with new slugs on all my 273's way back when with the TRW L2222N pistons. I always went .060 over, never had a heating problem. I also went .011-.011 on the crank. Lots of clearance, .003 rods and mains, the little 273 can be a revving SOB with the right heads and cam, big carburetor. The only motor I broke was 3 1/2 years old and I let a friend race it in Hemet and it broke a rod, put the cam in three pieces. It still beat a 396 Camaro doing it. This was back in the early '70's. Also, I worked at a machine shop at the time so I did my own engine work.

The only correction I would like to make to TMM's post is that the 273 should have a stock bore of 3.625, not rounded off to 3.63. But that shouldn't matter, the machinist shouldn't bore any motor before first putting a mic to the slugs.

Russ.

EDIT: Also, if you don't want to spring for a Cloyes True Roller timing chain setup, use the 354 Hemi setup, it bolts right on and the chain is one inch wide. You won't stretch it. Numbers popping into my head are HOOF, #273 and #274 timing gears with a #348 chain. I reserve the right to be wrong, as these numbers just popped into my head and I could just have CRS.