milling heads for comp ratio increase

Yep, you sure wouldn't miss that motor in the dark! Good idea keeping the water pump natural colour, I also like to do that, and I also keep the timing cover natural, in some cases I have even polished that. Well the 904 was trashed whoever had the car before me, probably misuse or running with not enough oil, or overheated by towing, something like that, not sure what was done while driving, but it did damage to it. I wouldn't fully agree with you on the 273 not lighting up my world - true if we are taking cost into consideration I suppose, that's true with most small capacity engines, but if someone with knowledge and money (and plenty of equipment) put their mind to it, I'm sure that a 273 could be made to crank out some big numbers which would put a smile on the driver's face. To prove that point, there was a group of keen guys here in Oz about 10 years ago who wanted to prove how strong a Holden 308 engine (Aust division of GM ) could actually be. With extensive work they managed to extract a record 2000 HP out of a 308 block. Sure, they would have done everything humanly possible to it, and probably cracked a few in the process, but just goes to show what could be done. I'm sure a similar result could be had with an LA block also. If a 273 was resin filled, critically machined and every aspect of the engine scrutinised and blue printed, big dollar ignition etc, with a huge solid roller cam and fully worked heads, I'm sure that mid 400s HP would be possible without stroking or aluminium heads.