273 compatibility??

[jjlangdon]

Hey Gang!

you're probably rolling your eyes and thinkin', "oh boy...another new guy..."
but i have some questions anyway. now i know this is the A-body forum, but i was referred from the guys at the 318 poly website.

i was GIVEN a 65 Fury III with (what my dad was told) a 318. the previous owner claimed to have had "head work" done, and had a cam put in(this i believe since it's soooo lopey that it'll barely run under 600rpm). the engine is VERY snappy, i was just looking for some upgrades, and the 318 poly guys informed me that i had a 273LA, not a 318 poly. the car is in storage, so i can't readily check for stamps and numbers, but i believe them, just looking at pix of other people's 273's.

my main questions are, will 318 heads bolt to the 273 block(to avoid the intake screw angle problems)???

and what parts are available for 273's?? is it all mopar small block stuff like you see in Jeg's and Summit, or am i stuck looking for original stuff(like i was doing for my 318 poly that wasn't!!!)

any help would be great!!
thanks-
joel

 

[66340SEDAN]

Welcome to the site! 273 pistons will be your toughest item to find, options are slim, might have to have a set made. Otherwise, 318 heads will fit but you may want to check the different years and combustion chamber size. By changing the heads to the newer style, you can run any Mopar sb intake you want. Oil pump, crank, cam, timing components, distributor, oil pan, valve covers, rods, valve gear, harmonic balancer is all pretty interchangable. 360 engines used different crank, oil pan, and harmonic balancer so know what you are looking for, 72-73 340 engines also had a different balancer..

 

[65 Dartman]

Welcome over from the poly site (am over there as well as a couple of other forums).
Don

 

[jjlangdon]

excellent info boys....keep it comin'!!

take care!

later,

joel