Hello! 81 Dodge D150 with a 273 V8

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James Terry

James Terry

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Lake Worth Florida
Good evening, just bought a 81 Stepside with what the previous owner said was a Commando 273, joined because I gotta figure this truck out and have some fun! What do I look for to see if this in fact a 273 or a 318?
 
James Terry said:
Good evening, just bought a 81 Stepside with what the previous owner said was a Commando 273, joined because I gotta figure this truck out and have some fun! What do I look for to see if this in fact a 273 or a 318?
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Side of the block just a bit under where the block and heads meet on a 318.
Not sure on a 273.
Welcome to FABO, and they do have a trucks specific site here also.
For Trucks Only Forum
 
Also look on the drivers side of the block, front of block, just under the head parting line. There is normally a long stamped number there, with the CID stamped in about the 2nd 3rd and 4th figures or so
 
left side block above the freeze plugs. Will show a casting number only, a 273 will not have a CID, a 318 will say 318. Also under the driver head on block will be a light stamping. 273 shown. Notice 'new for 64' 273 scallop for tight steering gear clearance.

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Real easy to figure if it's a Commando. Does it have a smooth stock idle? No it's not. Is it a little lumpy? Then it might be.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Real easy to figure if it's a Commando. Does it have a smooth stock idle? No it's not. Is it a little lumpy? Then it might be.
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It runs well, and yes it sounds and feels a little lumpy(cam). It runs out fine, revs easy and feels like it has some **** and get to it....check for numbers this weekend.

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Welcome to FABO!!! You came to the best place for information on all kinds of Mopars.

Nice truck! If the 273 still has factory valve covers they should be crinkle black with aluminum find on top. And an Unsilenced chrome air cleaner with 273 call out.
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66fyssh said:
Welcome to FABO!!! You came to the best place for information on all kinds of Mopars.

Nice truck! If the 273 still has factory valve covers they should be crinkle black with aluminum find on top. And an Unsilenced chrome air cleaner with 273 call out.View attachment 1715393437
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Motor has Edelbrock valve covers on it, eventually wanna go fast aluminum covers. We bought the truck a week ago, little rough but it has good bones, previous owner beat it and fixed it with tape and hope, guess you could say we rescued it....lol.
 
It's a 318. That's OK cause they are easier to find parts for!!

PM = Plant - Mound road assembly plant
318 = CID
R = regular fuel

The 2267 should be the build date using the 10,000 day calendar, and 953 should be the 953rd engine built that day.

Someone more knowledgeable will confirm.
 
66fyssh said:
It's a 318. That's OK cause they are easier to find parts for!!

PM = Plant - Mound road assembly plant
318 = CID
R = regular fuel

The 2267 should be the build date using the 10,000 day calendar, and 953 should be the 953rd engine built that day.

Someone more knowledgeable will confirm.
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Yes, just used the thread in the how to section, great section! Now on to building a sweet street motor now that I have the correct info!
 
James Terry said:
It runs well, and yes it sounds and feels a little lumpy(cam). It runs out fine, revs easy and feels like it has some **** and get to it....check for numbers this weekend.

View attachment 1715393430
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Dig the truck, would like to have one too ! >80`s pick ups were the first good
looking dodges made . Later when they started changing the grill it went down hill.
I parked a brand new 3/4 ton chevy plumbing truck beside a new dodge , inside on a job one time , we got to looking and comparing them. The dodge had way way straighter lines and better fitting panels that the chevy !!
 
News just said parts of alberta got 100 cm of snow.
That’s 1 metre,or 39 inches. Wow.
 
Welcome! Good you got the motor mystery figured out.
 
Welcome aboard! Hope the truck isnt full of "lies" like previous owner said with 273 Commando. Look at stuff good.
 
Welcome aboard I love the truck! Those square body dodges along with tin grille trucks are my favorite trucks ever iv had several of them thru the years I don't currently own any i have 2 2nd gens tho. Both 2001s one is a 318 5 speed the other is a 360 automatic both need alot of work lol
 
4spdragtop said:
Welcome aboard! Hope the truck isnt full of "lies" like previous owner said with 273 Commando. Look at stuff good.
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You realize a 318 has 16% more cubes and everything a 273 commando had 'cept the compression,cam and the weak 4bbl intake? Either will go fast but the 318 will be ft/lbs ahead if built similarly. I took all the guts out of a spun rod 273/4 and put them in a 318 short block, even with its lower compression that motor was much quicker.
 
Uhhhhh ya...."except the compression cam and weak?? 4bl intake"....yah those parts arent relevant?? Lol Sooooo 273 Commandos are as common as 318's?
I got 2 318's in my shop ill gladly trade for a 273 commando. Sound fair??
I'm still learning I should post less here
:thumbsup::BangHead:
pishta said:
You realize a 318 has 16% more cubes and everything a 273 commando had 'cept the compression,cam and the weak 4bbl intake? Either will go fast but the 318 will be ft/lbs ahead if built similarly. I took all the guts out of a spun rod 273/4 and put them in a 318 short block, even with its lower compression that motor was much quicker.
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pishta said:
..Either will go fast but the 318 will be ft/lbs ahead if built similarly. ...
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This thing is in a truck where torque is king.

"...Lol Sooooo 273 Commandos are as common as 318's?..." Uh, no.
 
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