Picked up the Barracuda! Love my first early-A :)

BP29D said

Hi,

The 1966 Barracuda has a 360 engine with a 273 intake. Does that
mean the the heads are also 273? I was wondering what the problems
are with putting a 340 or 360 into an early A-body then using 273 heads
and exhausts or if maybe upgrading the intake and heads with 340/360 heads and intake and then use the stock 273 exhaust are worth it? I know 340/360 exhaust manifolds are an issue

thanks

Click to expand...

The 273 can't handle the 2.02 valves that are in a 340 head without notching the block for clearence. Since the valve is then shrouded, it defeats the purpose if having the bigger valves. If you use the stock 273 manifolds, it won't flow any better either and the port sizes are so much different in size that you have gasket sealing and flow problems. Going the other way and using the 273 heads on a 340 or 360 works fine. The only real drawback is the smaller valves and limit on high RPM flow. The stock early 340 exhaust manifolds have clearence problems in the early A's.