273 time to 'fish or cut bait'...

65Cudafix said
Joe,

Thanks, I'm a rookie and expect to get my *** handed to me often. I sent the heads in to ensure they weren't cracked, though I believe that's not often with old 273's because they are iron or cast or something... Anyway wanted to make sure that they weren't broke before I started building... Thought if they were ok I could at least use them on Cuda#1. Am I the only one who thinks he should have two 'Cudas?? (I do have two boy's so... why not, it may be Canadian but it's still a Cuda).

Seriously, I did buy the book, it just ain't here yet... They say "All roads lead to Rome", I don't want to piss my money away but, bottom line is I'm having fun and learning new skills in my retirement. My wife will spend the money if I don't anyway...

I had thought I'd use the 'Commando' cam, but haven't found out exactly what that is... Then thought a high performance, but seems those are mission specific. So I am lost on what cam and I hear cam dictates valves... which is the point behind my post.

There are so many rules that I can't even begin to comprehend someone posted that your carb is specific to whether your running an automatic or a manual! That is crazy talk to my uneducated brain! I thought that the carb provided air and fuel to the cylinders what the F does it care if the transmission is an automatic??? There is a lot for me to learn, and I believe that FABO is the place to learn it...

As I mentioned I just want to burn rubber at the F***ing stop signs/lights and run 60-80mph all day on pump gas, passing chevy's is simply a plus... What ever cam that might take, so be it...

Sorry for the rambling, Thanks for the advice. Believe me I could not do this without the support of you and FABO.

65Cudafix

For your stated goals, a Magnum 360 (5.9) or 5.2 (318)is worth thinking about. #1; you would have a Big motor for torque, and modern heads that make more torque than others with equal prep, save for some later la heads.
#2 You will have a roller cam motor that will not require special high zinc oil to live.
#3; a used 5.2 or 5.9 magnum in great shape that may not even need a rebuild can be found if you shop carefully.
#4 you can dress the front of the magnum engine with the 273 timing cover and water pump, etc and use new Engine Quest replacement magnum heads with the older carb manifold bolt holes in them, giving you a real sleeper in sheep's clothing. Another option is to use a Cross wind intake manifold for magnum heads, if the stock heads are good.
The main thing with this plan is a very mild cam choice; reground stock cam to keep max low end torque and work with the not so good exhaust manifold choices available. Use that Thermoquad pattern intake manifold and a rebuilt TQ carb, (some 360 motors came with Quadrajets too!) and you will have an extremely responsive package that will meet your goals at a decent cost.
If you go this route, a couple of things to know; you need a cam extension from Hughes Engines to allow use of a stock mechanical fuel pump.
You will need the right damper and flex plate or flywheel balance, as 5.9 magnums are unique,but it isn't tough to accomplish this.