273 Head Gaskets

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66fs

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Here is the straight scoop on 273 head gaskets.

There is no use in getting a smaller diameter head gasket since the closed combustion chamber, 64-67, measures about 3.97" at the widest point and 4.04" at the original steel shim head gasket witness marks. Since the gaskets need to be sandwiched between the head and the block, smaller diameter round bores will not work. These heads and witness marks are from an original steel shim gaskets that came off a 1967, 2 barrel 273. Since the smallest round bore gasket I measured was 4.01" on the MOPAR 318 head gasket #2806 984 and the HP Fel-Pro 1008 small block head gasket measures 4.18", both at .039" thickness there is only about .01 difference in compression ratios. Using a +.040" bore (3.665"), as cast combustion chambers (63.5 cc or 3.875 cubic inches), 3.31" stroke, "0" deck, factory 2 barrel pistons with 4 valve reliefs ( .7 cc or .0427 cubic inches each), and head gasket volume the compression ratios are as follows. The MOPAR 2806 984 head gasket yields an 8.54:1 compression ratio. The Fel-Pro 1008 head gasket yields an 8.53:1 compression ratio. The Mr Gasket 1121G at 4.14" bore and .028" thick will jump the compression ratio up to 8.95:1, all things being equal. So in conclusion, usable bore diameter makes little difference while the thickness does make a difference.

273 Chambers 1.JPG

273 Chambers 2.JPG


Here is a close up of a 4.04" bore .027" Cometic head gasket on the same 273 head. Notice how close the chamber is to the valve reliefs in the combustion chambers.

273Cometic4.04 x.027 2.JPG


The second area of concern is a partial cutout on the head and some 273 blocks, see below. Also note the cutout on the heads and 273/318 gaskets. I called Cometic and they don't recommend their MLS head gaskets for the 273 (Not sealing at the cut out?) but offer a 3.97" bore x .043" thick composite gasket, about the same compressed volume as the Fel-Pro 1008 HP head gasket.

273 Edna 01.JPG


courtesy of @stroker402


273 stroker402.jpg


Head Gaskets

OEM 318 composite 2806 984

2806 984 02.JPG
2806 984 01.JPG


OEM 273 Steel Shim 2843 283 courtesy of @65Val

65Val 2843 283 02.JPG
65Val 2843 283 01.JPG
 
Last edited:

273 head gasket.jpg2 A3.815 B3.975.jpg


stock head gasket on 920.jpg
 

Here is the straight scoop on 273 head gaskets.

There is no use in getting a smaller diameter head gasket since the closed combustion chamber, 64-67, measures about 3.97" at the widest point and 4.04" at the original steel shim head gasket witness marks. Since the gaskets need to be sandwiched between the head and the block, smaller diameter round bores will not work. These heads and witness marks are from an original steel shim gaskets that came off a 1967, 2 barrel 273. Since the smallest round bore gasket I measured was 4.01" on the MOPAR 318 head gasket #2806 984 and the HP Fel-Pro 1008 small block head gasket measures 4.18", both at .039" thickness there is only about .01 difference in compression ratios. Using a +.040" bore (3.665"), as cast combustion chambers (63.5 cc or 3.875 cubic inches), 3.31" stroke, "0" deck, factory 2 barrel pistons with 4 valve reliefs ( .7 cc or .0427 cubic inches each), and head gasket volume the compression ratios are as follows. The MOPAR 2806 984 head gasket yields an 8.54:1 compression ratio. The Fel-Pro 1008 head gasket yields an 8.53:1 compression ratio. The Mr Gasket 1121G at 4.14" bore and .028" thick will jump the compression ratio up to 8.95:1, all things being equal. So in conclusion, usable bore diameter makes little difference while the thickness does make a difference.

View attachment 1716373877
View attachment 1716374439

Here is a close up of a 4.04" bore .027" Cometic head gasket on the same 273 head. Notice how close the chamber is to the valve reliefs in the combustion chambers.

View attachment 1716374434

The second area of concern is a partial cutout on the head and some 273 blocks, see below. Also note the cutout on the heads and 273/318 gaskets. I called Cometic and they don't recommend their MLS head gaskets for the 273 (Not sealing at the cut out?) but offer a 3.97" bore x .043" thick composite gasket, about the same compressed volume as the Fel-Pro 1008 HP head gasket.

View attachment 1716374423

courtesy of @stroker402


View attachment 1716374311

Head Gaskets

OEM 318 composite 2806 984

View attachment 1716374424View attachment 1716374425

OEM 273 Steel Shim 2843 283 courtesy of @65Val

View attachment 1716374427View attachment 1716374426
Thanks for doing all this homework, Dan. I think all 273 fans would appreciate this information. If a vendor would just make accurate reproductions of the originals none of this would be necessary.
 
Egge apparently has head gaskets, but waiting on reply for bore size and comp thkness.
Im looking for 0.030/3.655" for 273.
 
Egge apparently has head gaskets, but waiting on reply for bore size and comp thkness.
Im looking for 0.030/3.655" for 273.
There is no use in getting a smaller diameter head gasket since the closed combustion chamber, 64-67, measures about 3.97" at the widest point. Usable bore diameter makes little difference while the thickness does make a difference.
 
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