273 Commando Top End Rebuild on my 65 Dart GT

Mopar Tim said
Hello. Fel Pro blue head gaskets. Just get a good standard valve job, make sure to have them check the valve guides, and you should have hardened valve seats on exhaust valves. O'riely engine degreaser works good. should be about 500 dollars to complete. And O'riely has a good Hemi orange engine paint. And I have a nice black unsilenced air cleaner that I could let you have CHEAP! MT

Tim! thanks - i was looking at Fel Pro cause they seem to be everywhere.. so i figured i'd do that. How much for that air cleaner? I HATE the one thats on there.. its a commando 273 so i one day want the chrome one, but yah.. something more factory would be great! :)

toolmanmike said
Good plan. 273's were red. Chrysler industrial red but the color is your choice. Tmm

Check. Thanks Mike! I'll look into it. This will go back to stock look - its low milage from the original owner so i wanna make sure its pretty original looking.

krazykuda said
Plasti-kote 226 = Chrysler Hemi Orange Engine Paint
Available at Car Quest

Yah?? Theres one right next to my work! I'll walk over today and check it out!

krazykuda said
Get a 3" wire wheel for a drill and clean up the cylinders at the top and the piston tops before you put it together. It will also help break the carbon ring at the top away.

Thanks for that - i have a wire wheel but i heard that i should use a copper wire wheel.. mine is just a basic nothin fancy metal wheel. I dont want to score the pistons.

krazykuda said
I would recommend using this true roller double roller timing chain. It's one step above the stock 340 double roller.

http://www.manciniracing.com/edelbrock4.html

The stock 273 chains are junk and should have some stretch by now. Install a double roller for reliability and it will also pick up your fuel economy and some performance from the old chain...

That chain can go over 100 k and have less stretch than your current stock chain has now. It can go past 200 k on a daily driver....

i'll take a look. I've actually been a vendor for Edelbrock for a few years selling prescription safety goggles to them.. maybe i can squeeze a discount.

clifftt said
I used Duplicolor DE1605 Ford Red, which is very close to the Industrial Red Toolman speakeths about, kind of an orange-red.
Check the heat passages on the intake manifold while off, they're probably coked up. This will help your cold morning warm ups (in San Diego, right?!). And check your right exhaust manifold exhaust choke, sometimes they freeze up. I soaked mine in a tub of cheap vinegar for a couple weeks before it finally freed up. Good luck!

I'm glad you said that - the exhaust manifold on the passenger side with the thermostat.. the spring is gone.. do you know where i can find one?

65Val said
Are you sure that's a real Commando? Those don't look like the domed, hi-comp pistons to me.

If there is a ridge at the top of the cylinders, that denotes a fair amount of mileage on the engine, not a low-miler.

...and, to nit-pick, the cylinders are numbered 1-3-5-7 on the drivers side and 2-4-6-8 on the passenger side. If cylinders 7 and 8 are low, then that would be the 2 rear cylinders, one on each bank.

Yes - its a real commando. Bought it from the original owner's daughter. Have all the paperwork. Its pretty correct. and i wrote about the ridge wrong.. theres NO ridge.. dur. my fault. Its a low mile car because of NO ridge.. i'll go edit that now.... and so i meant to say 2 and 4 are low then. i'll correct that as well....

Mopar Tim said
Where in san diego are you? Im close. PM me if I can help you with anything. MT

I'm in north park! Basically right next to the zoo! Wanna come by and take a look???