273 commando??

[nraimey45]

hey there
Just starting an enormous restoration on my dads old 1966 Canadan Valiant/Dodge Dart.
He has a few different short blocks in his shed, and I'm not sure wch one it would be. One number on the one side of the block is 2806030-273-2 nd the other side is 4-7-67. The other engine I thought it culd be has the number 2465330-1 on one side and 7-15-64 on the other. Pretty sure one is the commando, cause he's got the commando valve covers and air breather.
Thought maybe someone could enlighten me.
Thanks to all

 

[65 Dartman]

hey there
Just starting an enormous restoration on my dads old 1966 Canadan Valiant/Dodge Dart.
He has a few different short blocks in his shed, and I'm not sure wch one it would be. One number on the one side of the block is 2806030-273-2 nd the other side is 4-7-67. The other engine I thought it culd be has the number 2465330-1 on one side and 7-15-64 on the other.

Most like neither block is the one the car came with. The 67 block is way
later that the likely build date of the car (Aug/Sept 65 through Jul 66). The 64 block is too early.

Pretty sure one is the commando, cause he's got the commando valve covers and air breather.
Thought maybe someone could enlighten me.
Thanks to all

If you pull one of the heads and it has the domed pistons, that will be a good indication that it's a 273/235 motor. Commando Valve covers and air cleaner can be added to any small block. I'm dressing up a 340 with the Commando stuff when it goes in my 65 wagon. Hope this is of some help.

 

[CudaChick1968]

Welcome aboard! I'm a fan of bigger V8s so I can't help out much with your 273 questions .... other than dolling them up for you later when you decide on one. :-D

Make yourself at home and enjoy your new family. You'll spend lots of time here.

 

[nraimey45]

Thanks for the help, I'll figure it out one way or the other I guess.
He's had the car since 1966, so I'm pretty sure one of them has to be the commando that was in it.. He has the pistons and they are domed/pop up. The motor is just a short block right now. Only has the cam in it, which I'm having a ***** of a time getting out! 34 years of sitting can really gum stuff up..
Anyway, better get back at r.

 

[RedFish]

the 273 blocks are all the same so I would use which ever tests to be the better.
The difference that can cause a headache is in the intake to head bolt angle.
I would plan to use 67 heads and intake as a matching 3 piece group if possible.

 

[toolmanmike]

Yep, what Redfish said. LOL

 

[66plyValiant]

welcome aboard! where abouts in Nova Scotia are you from?, theres a few members on here from Nova Scotia. me and Grassy are 2 of them

 

[bamacuda]

Welcome, fellow 273 commando lover!

 

[nraimey45]

Glad to hear it! I'm just North of Bridgewater on the South Shore.

 

[nraimey45]

Yep, what Redfish said. LOL

Hey Mike
I checked out your build progress. I'm speechless really. You busy next weekend?? (and every weekend for the next 2 years...) LOL
I did find 2 differences between the blocks. One has the 2 pins on top of the block that go into the intake, and also, the motor mount is a 4 bolt on one and 3 bolt on the other..
Thanks for any input
Norm

 

[66plyValiant]

Glad to hear it! I'm just North of Bridgewater on the South Shore.

I live just outside windsor, about an hour from bridgewater. my father is daily driving the 66 valiant that we built together until fall. ours looks the same in the front as yours, but ours is 4 door with lots of added extras

 

[nraimey45]

Actually, the motor is just one of the many issue's I have to contend with. I had an add on Kijiji, maybe you saw it. It said, "Parts needed for resurection". She's in bad shape. It's the first car I can ever recall riding in. It hasn't seen the road since '76... Floor's gone. Try finding one around here... Or any parts as far as that goes. Got some from that Hypurrs guy. But the floor is my main focus right now. Got a line on one, just waiting for him to 'get off the pot'.
Maybe I need to start a thread like toolmanmike. That was amazing to follow.
I get tired of people telling me to forget it, it's a lost cause.. They don't understand what it means to me..
I know it's gonna cost me a lot on coin, I'm hoping to get some help here and there along the way. This site has been great for that.
Anyway, enough flapping of the gums, gonna go get a beer.
Cheers to good old fashioned everything....

 

[toolmanmike]

Welcome to the HP273 club. You'll have fun building it and fun driving it when you're done. There are a lot of us here with these engines and we all love them.
I think you should start a post. We can respond to you with answers to your questions plus It's fun to see how others do a large project. Mike

 

[66plyValiant]

Actually, the motor is just one of the many issue's I have to contend with. I had an add on Kijiji, maybe you saw it. It said, "Parts needed for resurection". She's in bad shape. It's the first car I can ever recall riding in. It hasn't seen the road since '76... Floor's gone. Try finding one around here... Or any parts as far as that goes. Got some from that Hypurrs guy. But the floor is my main focus right now. Got a line on one, just waiting for him to 'get off the pot'.
Maybe I need to start a thread like toolmanmike. That was amazing to follow.
I get tired of people telling me to forget it, it's a lost cause.. They don't understand what it means to me..
I know it's gonna cost me a lot on coin, I'm hoping to get some help here and there along the way. This site has been great for that.
Anyway, enough flapping of the gums, gonna go get a beer.
Cheers to good old fashioned everything....

they are around and If it has sentimental value to you its more insperation to get the build started, keep an eye on kijiji as they do tend to pop up now and then, and it doesn't have to be 66 for a parts car as far as sheet metal, 63-66 are the same, and you could probably make 67 floor pans work I have a few links for you...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FRON...6897518?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/62-D...5904145?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories

 

[nraimey45]

Thanks
I know a lot of A body parts will fit from 66 to 72. Thats what I'm told anyway. I'll check the links out.
I'm havin a had time figuring this site out. Haven't been on it long enough I guess. I'll try n start a thread later today.
Better run. Just found out I got hockey in an hour.. ugh Shouldn't have had that last beer. LOL
Take r easy

 

[65dartcharger]

Hi and welcome to the 273 HP club! Sometimes it seems to be so much work but check out the restorations in the "Members restoration" That's a great source for inspiration. Good luck with your project.

 

[nraimey45]

Welcome to the HP273 club. You'll have fun building it and fun driving it when you're done. There are a lot of us here with these engines and we all love them.
I think you should start a post. We can respond to you with answers to your questions plus It's fun to see how others do a large project. Mike

I'd like to start a post, but I can't seem to figure it out. Not much to post yet really. Just some really sad pics of the ole girl. Kinda like taken a picture of the wife or gf before make-up or when they just get outta bed.. Don't want her to get mad at me. haha

I did start my shed today! Pretty happy about that. I'll eventually have a place to work on her under cover. It's not huge, 18 X 18. All I can afford at the moment.. It'll fit her and my old Ford 8N. She's gotta have company you know. LOL

 

[66 Dartman]

Hi . I had to weld up my front drivers side pan last winter couldn't find a pan so i fabricated my own. A.B.S is making them now I'll post a link and couple pic's of mine the 67's bead's are not the same and they are wider.
http://www.autobodyspecialt.com/

 

[66plyValiant]

jeez you can bearly even tell that was fixed!

 

[toolmanmike]

I'd like to start a post, but I can't seem to figure it out. Not much to post yet really. Just some really sad pics of the ole girl. Kinda like taken a picture of the wife or gf before make-up or when they just get outta bed.. Don't want her to get mad at me. haha

I did start my shed today! Pretty happy about that. I'll eventually have a place to work on her under cover. It's not huge, 18 X 18. All I can afford at the moment.. It'll fit her and my old Ford 8N. She's gotta have company you know. LOL

Keep the Dart and the 8N under cover is a good idea. You can start a thread by
clicking on the "forums" button under the A Body logo on the upper left of the home page screen. Scroll down to which heading you want to start your thread under (Early A Body or Small Block Tech would be my suggestion) Then on the left side just above the maroon colored bar at the bottom of the page is a tab marked "new thread". Click there and go to town. Mike PS Nice job on the floor pan Dartman!!!

 

[nraimey45]

I started another thread under the small block section for the motor issues. Hopefully I'll get it figured out...

 

[nraimey45]

Hi Some panels off a 65 will work but that's about it. I had to weld up my front drivers side pan last winter couldn't find a pan so i fabricated my own. A.B.S is making them now I'll post a link and couple pic's of mine the 67's bead's are not the same and they are wider.
http://www.autobodyspecialt.com/

Thanks for the info,
I'll measure the floor and see if I can make it work, that is if the guy ever gets back with a price. He also has a decent cross member that the torsion bars sit into.

 

[chryslerfat]

If you are looking for frame rails or the torsion crossmember I have good ones removed from cars I junked. I would sell them for 100 USD plus shipping each. These are from the 66 and earlier cars and are different from the 67 and up cars.

 

[nraimey45]

My internet is down. Can you send me an email at nraimey45@live.ca. It goes to my cell. Take way 2 long this way..
Thanks

 

[nraimey45]

Finally back on line. Had to get new security software for the computer.
Thats a great job on the floor pan Dartman. Hope mine looks that good when I get done.. I'm not in any hurry tho. Takes a lot of time and money, and I don't need to mention patience..