273 engine identification.

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demondaddy

demondaddy

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Hi Guys, I am trying to identify a block number on a 1966 barracuda. This is the number stamped on the block on the left side directly under the cylinder head. It appears as R 273-8-5. I have looked at several "decoders" and can't quite figure it out.
 
R dont know
273 Cubic inches
8-5. My guess is Aug of 1965 assembly date

My feb of 67 built dart has an engine assembly C273 12-6 (december 1966)
By all accounts the C of C273 = model year 1967 273

There is also a small B which might mean 0.010 undersized main and crank jurnals

and an upside down 319 stamped into the area as well, unknown meaning, posabily from a rebuild?

Look towards end of post
How to ID a Small Block Engine Block:
 
Last edited:
That 'R' may be a 'B' as in the 2nd year of production. Supposed to go year code, plant code, then displacement but that may be in later years. I have a 11/63 cast block that has a V273-I2-7 stamp but a 11/20/63 casting. Maybe the V was for Valiant?
20181104_111817.jpg
20181104_111831.jpg
 
Dana67Dart said:
R dont know
273 Cubic inches
8-5. My guess is Aug of 1965 assembly date

My feb of 67 built dart has an engine assembly C273 12-6 (december 1966)
By all accounts the C of C273 = model year 1967 273

There is also a B which might mean 0.010 undersized main and crank jurnals

and 319 stamped into the area as well unknown meaning, posabily from a rebuild?

Look towards end of post
How to ID a Small Block Engine Block:
Click to expand...
Thank you for that, I wondering if that R could be a B.
 
Wouldn't the R be for regular gas, The 340's have P for premium
 
I don't understand the V in pishta's 63 cast block but A is 65, B is 66 and c is 67 etc. the 273 (obvious) and the 8-5 is the assembly date. August 7th I just found series numbers in the back of the Galen part number book. S=1962 T=1963, V=1964, a=1965, B=1966 etc.
 
toolmanmike said:
I don't understand the V in pishta's 63 cast block but A is 65, B is 66 and c is 67 etc. the 273 (obvious) and the 8-5 is the assembly date. August 7th I just found series numbers in the back of the Galen part number book. S=1962 T=1963, V=1964, a=1965, B=1966 etc.
Click to expand...
And I'll bet @demondaddy 's 1966 block has 65 cast into the side of it. The block casting date will be earlier than the assembly date.
 
I think we have solved the puzzle.
R273 8-5
Is really
B273 8-5

And translates to a 1966 model year, 273, assembled August of 1965
I bet the 66 Barracuda was built around Oct of 65
 
Interesting this came up. A friend has a TA with a block casting date within a week of assembly but..... the 340 TA/AAR blocks were special to the cars and aparently cast all at once. The cars were assembled all at once as well So it's very possible that one of the last engines got put in one of the first cars. From what I understand, The warehouses didn't rotate their inventory so one of the earlier engines could vary well get used in a mid to late year made car. Crazy stuff.
 
Dana67Dart said:
I think we have solved the puzzle.
R273 8-5
Is really
B273 8-5

And translates to a 1966 model year, 273, assembled August of 1965
I bet the 66 Barracuda was built around Oct of 65
Click to expand...
September 2, according to the fender tag. Good job!
 
toolmanmike said:
I don't understand the V in pishta's 63 cast block but A is 65, B is 66 and c is 67 etc. the 273 (obvious) and the 8-5 is the assembly date. August 7th I just found series numbers in the back of the Galen part number book. S=1962 T=1963, V=1964, a=1965, B=1966 etc.
Click to expand...
OK, mystery solved.....V is my 64 model year but its a 63 casting...So what is -I2-7 if my casting date is 11/20?
 
@demondaddy what's the build date of your 66? It should be the "SO number" on the fender tag.
 
This is an F7 car according to the fender tag. Assuming this is the original engine (I know, we don't like assumptions) but it certainly appears to be. It should be a 10.5:1,solid lifter engine. The upper case AB# is 32, which should represent 273 V8, 4BBL. The 5th digit in the vin is D. As far as I can tell this could represent the 180hp 2BBL model or the 235hp 4BBL. I don't think the Formula S cars came with the 2bbl but I don't know that for sure.
 
Yes, F7 is Formula S package and the AB-32 is the 4 barrel 235hp 273. The D in the VIN designates 273 engine.
 
The engine is a 1966 model year engine that was built/assembled on 8-5, August 5th. You can check the block casting date that's on the passenger side below the cylinder head. Probably a June or July casting.
 
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