273 Numbers Matching car. Should I rebuild or swap engine?

383Scampman said
WELCOME ! AS you can read by the response there are as many opinions as there are members . I have been in the Mopar parts business since 1984 and heard thousands of people recite both sides of the issue . As far as value goes , changing the engine will NOT devalue the car . Example : putting a 426 Hemi in it makes it worth less ? Hogwash ! A 273 leaves a lot on the table but if you want to leave it , good for you . If you want to go with a late 318 or 360 , good for you . Economics is a horse of another color . An "LA" 318/360 dressed like a 273/2bbl. is cool . A Magnum 318/360 is cool . Much more economical . For cruising "torque" is your friend and the 273 doesn't have much . IMO Later, TOM

This may be a stupid question, but I think there are different "versions" of motors in say a car, versus a truck, versus an RV for example like in the Large Blocks. I assume the small blocks are the same deal??? Let's say I want to go with a 318 or 360. I had a guy locale tell me if I went with a 318, "everything" on the 273 would bolt right up - simple drop in - from the transmission to the Air Conditioner, etc... But on a 360 I can't recall what all he said was different but it would not just drop in. Other things would be needed to make it work. So if a 318 is a "Simple" drop in where everything bolts right up, then to me that seems the way to go to get some extra torque - but would it be enough to tell over a larger Cam in the 273 like some have mentioned? So is it true that the 318 is a "Drop in" and if so, if I want to locate a used engine, what years will work in our '68 Dart? And what "car" or "trucks" would be the years and models to look for that would be less expensive. Example, an Early CUDA might have a 318, however finding an old Scamp or Demon - or maybe an old Pickup (not sure make or model) would be cheaper than the CUDA! So as I search around here locale, any idea on a shopping list of car and truck makes and models to watch for as well as the year range like a 1966-1980 or something? I appreciate the input. Oh... and if the 360 is "a lot better torque" by a great deal than the 318 - then the same questions on the makes and years (cars v/s trucks) to look for around town that would have that motor and the best bang for the buck... or would you just go drop $4000 for a Blue Print Crate engine and be done with it? Again, my wife just wants a 'nice dependable car' she can cruise around town in and show off her DART. Seems like a Crate with a warranty v/s some old motor I have to rebuild is about the same money... so hit me with your opinion on why more people don't just buy a crate? I've had a lot of cars - but they were all ready to go... this restoring and rebuilding old Mopars is all new to me... I was about to lean toward a 360 Blue Print Crate, but if the torgue is not that much different them maybe a 318 BLue Print Crate is the way to go if it's a drop in and if the majority here says it's a good idea to head that direction.. At least that is the way i was headed until I found this website and Forum - which all of you guys are amazing... you all have genuine knowledge on these Mopars - most of the Gear Heads in town spin more BS than knowledge. Thanks in advance for steering me in a direction. And let me say that I am not a stickler on a nut and bolt restoration and keeping it all 100% original. I am more interested in giving my wife a fun little car "that is dependable" and I do not have to worry every time she takes our kids down the road for a spin and I am not in the car should something go wrong and it "die". So with all of this in mind - anyone and everyone please 'Chime In' on the bat way to make this happen... and I am not afraid of an older motor with a good rebuild - I have a super mechanic here. I just want more than 1 opinion to weigh out. Thanks!