1969 273 upgrade advice
The 273 tho small in displacement is a good engine,with a few mods, can and will run well.Lets make a list about what you have:
Condition of the engine now,start with a compression test.Does the engine huff any blue smoke on start up ? how about under full throttle ?
Check oil pressure with a mechanical gauge.Cold pressure at idle ? Hot pressure at idle ? Hot pressure at 2500 rpm ?
Pull and look at the spark plugs for condition.If they are clean and light brown/grey(for today's gasoline) and not soot black with lots of deposits.
At this point if all checks are showing good condition,THEN you can start to think about a cam,intake,carb,etc.
For now you can keep the Point distributor, But install fresh points,condenser,rotor and cap along with fresh wires and plugs.
Next you need to evaluate the rest of you drivetrain.
Condition of the transmission,fluid clean ? drives and shifts well ?
The rear most likely is a 7 1/4 with either a 2.76,2.93,or 3.23 ratio.My guess is the 2.76 as a standard ratio.
I have just done what you are thinking about with my 68 Valiant 273.After a complete evaluation,came the engine upgrades.Yesterday was it's Virgin Run putting about 100 or so miles on it.I was very happy with the results.This was done on a strict budget Used intake and 600 AFB carb. The cam is a Jegs #200161 .441 lift intake and exhaust, and a split advertised duration of intake 276 exhaust 286.This is a hydraulic flat tappet. 1968 and up the 273's got hydraulic cams and non adjustable rockers.
You got me beat as I am still running a single exhaust,2 1/2'' and a Jegs turbo muffler for now.As soon as funds allow a dual exhaust will be next.
Have fun with your project !!!
The 273 tho small in displacement is a good engine,with a few mods, can and will run well.Lets make a list about what you have:
Condition of the engine now,start with a compression test.Does the engine huff any blue smoke on start up ? how about under full throttle ?
Check oil pressure with a mechanical gauge.Cold pressure at idle ? Hot pressure at idle ? Hot pressure at 2500 rpm ?
Pull and look at the spark plugs for condition.If they are clean and light brown/grey(for today's gasoline) and not soot black with lots of deposits.
At this point if all checks are showing good condition,THEN you can start to think about a cam,intake,carb,etc.
For now you can keep the Point distributor, But install fresh points,condenser,rotor and cap along with fresh wires and plugs.
Next you need to evaluate the rest of you drivetrain.
Condition of the transmission,fluid clean ? drives and shifts well ?
The rear most likely is a 7 1/4 with either a 2.76,2.93,or 3.23 ratio.My guess is the 2.76 as a standard ratio.
I have just done what you are thinking about with my 68 Valiant 273.After a complete evaluation,came the engine upgrades.Yesterday was it's Virgin Run putting about 100 or so miles on it.I was very happy with the results.This was done on a strict budget Used intake and 600 AFB carb. The cam is a Jegs #200161 .441 lift intake and exhaust, and a split advertised duration of intake 276 exhaust 286.This is a hydraulic flat tappet. 1968 and up the 273's got hydraulic cams and non adjustable rockers.
You got me beat as I am still running a single exhaust,2 1/2'' and a Jegs turbo muffler for now.As soon as funds allow a dual exhaust will be next.
Have fun with your project !!!
